Doctorate in Canon Law (J.C.D.) 60 months PHD Programme By The Catholic University of America |TopUniversities

Programme overview

Main Subject

Law and Legal Studies

Degree

Other

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

The Doctor of Canon Law is the terminal degree in the studies of canon law. A canon lawyer is a person trained in the universal law of the Church which is founded in the Code of Canon Law. 



The doctoral program consists of two distinct stages. First, for admission to the doctoral program, the student must have successfully received the licentiate degree (J.C.L.) and demonstrated superior academic ability as demonstrated by achievement of an overall A- average in the various components of the licentiate program (i.e., coursework, thesis, comprehensive examination) taken in the aggregate. However, within this overall average, the grade for the thesis must be at least A-.



For students who did not earn the licentiate degree from Catholic University, the student must submit a thesis or major writing project for faculty review and two letters of recommendation, from professors on the faculty where they earned their licentiate degree. A decision is made by the faculty conjointly.



All students considering the doctoral program must write a formal application letter to the Dean, explaining their reasons for advanced canonical study.



Admission to the second stage, doctoral candidacy, follows upon the successful development and submission of the dissertation proposal and requires a separate faculty vote of approval. Prior to such submission, a candidate must demonstrate a fluency in canonical Latin and pass proficiency examinations in two modern languages (Italian, Spanish, German, French) administered by the School of Canon Law.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Law and Legal Studies

Degree

Other

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

The Doctor of Canon Law is the terminal degree in the studies of canon law. A canon lawyer is a person trained in the universal law of the Church which is founded in the Code of Canon Law. 



The doctoral program consists of two distinct stages. First, for admission to the doctoral program, the student must have successfully received the licentiate degree (J.C.L.) and demonstrated superior academic ability as demonstrated by achievement of an overall A- average in the various components of the licentiate program (i.e., coursework, thesis, comprehensive examination) taken in the aggregate. However, within this overall average, the grade for the thesis must be at least A-.



For students who did not earn the licentiate degree from Catholic University, the student must submit a thesis or major writing project for faculty review and two letters of recommendation, from professors on the faculty where they earned their licentiate degree. A decision is made by the faculty conjointly.



All students considering the doctoral program must write a formal application letter to the Dean, explaining their reasons for advanced canonical study.



Admission to the second stage, doctoral candidacy, follows upon the successful development and submission of the dissertation proposal and requires a separate faculty vote of approval. Prior to such submission, a candidate must demonstrate a fluency in canonical Latin and pass proficiency examinations in two modern languages (Italian, Spanish, German, French) administered by the School of Canon Law.

Admission Requirements

80+
6.5+

5 Years
Aug

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

More programmes from the university

PHD Programmes 22106