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Licentiate in Sacred Theology Degree
The Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception offers an advanced and specialized research degree, the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.). In accord with ecclesiastical norms (cf. Optatum totius, no. 16), the student will choose one course in each of the fields of biblical studies and historical theology, two courses in systematic theology and moral theology. The other six courses, although they should be complementary to the area of concentration (systematic, scripture, moral, Thomistic studies), remain general electives. Lectures, seminars, research projects, and personal study are designed to promote theological competency in a particular area of scientific investigation. The Licentiate degree is granted by the authority of and in the name of the Holy See.
Degree Requirements
Admission
The S.T.L. program is open to qualified clerical and lay students.
The following prerequisites for admission will be evaluated by the Committee on Admissions which may, in individual cases, allow the student to remedy particular deficiencies during the first year of the program:
- The Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology. Holders of a Masters of Divinity or other, similar first professional degree in theology will have their previous academic record evaluated to determine what further work is required to establish equivalence to the STB degree, and before beginning the STL program. In the case of those who hold only a Master of Arts degree in theology, this will typically involve at least one and a half additional years of full time study of theology before beginning the STL program.
- Superior achievement and the ability to pursue graduate work as indicated by the transcript of previous studies (with a minimum GPA of 3.25).
- Three letters of recommendation by persons who are in a position to judge the applicant’s ability in this academic area, along with a current photo and a completed application form.
- A reading knowledge of Latin and Greek.
Course Work
A minimum of 36 semester hours of credit is required in twelve special courses of theological or allied studies, including courses in Sacred Scripture (3), Historical Theology (3), Systematic Theology (6), the Thomistic Seminar I and II (6), and Teaching and Learning (3) for those who have not taught.
The Faculty requires a comprehensive two-semester Pro-Seminar for the first S.T.L. year. This Seminar ensures that all students who fulfill all of the other requirements for the degree are adequately imbued with the theological understanding of Saint Thomas. The Seminar meets two hours per session twice a week over two semesters, and offers three credits per semester. The Seminar satisfies six elective credits in the S.T.L. program, the Dean granting exemptions on an individual basis.
Language Requirements
Reading proficiency in Latin, New Testament Greek, and a modern foreign language, e.g. French, German or Spanish is to be demonstrated by written examination or six credits of graduate coursework. Since Latin and Greek are required for the STB degree, those STL candidates must have satisfied the Pontifical Faculty's requirements for these languages within the first year of matriculation in the STL program. The mordern foreign language requirement is normally demonstrated within the first year of study as well. Language proficiency exams are offered twice per semester.
Grade Point Average
The student must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above through the S.T.L. program.
Successfully present a lectio coram (magisterial lecture) of at least 1 1/2 hours before a board of four examiners.
Completion of a tesina (thesis). This is to show competence in methods of scientific research by completing a tesina under the direction of a member of the faculty on an approved topic relating to the student's specialization. The tesina must represent a substantial and sustained intellectual endeavor in the student's chosen area. Following the agreement of a faculty member to direct the tesina and the approval of the Dean, the student submits a tesina proposal. The proposal includes a statement and brief synopsis of the topic, reasons for the choice of the topic, a statement of methodology, a brief outline and preliminary bibliography. The proposal must be signed by the director and the candidate, and is sent to the Faculty for approval by the end of the first year of full-time study.
The tesina should be no less than 75, nor more than 100, pages of text in length. The tesina grade will consist of the average of the grades submitted by the tesina director, and a second reader appointed by the Dean. The tesina grade will be determined by satisfactory completion of the approved tesina proposal, thorough exploration of the state of the question within contemporary research, innovative reflections or approaches to the question, adherence to standards of graduate level scholarship and approved Faculty style regulations. Students who successfully complete a tesina receive three credits, which may be counted as part of the thirty-six required credits for the S.T.L. degree. The candidate is to submit three unbound copies of the tesina to the Dean by 1 April before anticipated graduation. No lectio coram will be scheduled before the completed tesina is submitted. The minimum satisfactory grade for the tesina is a B-.
Residency
The residency requirement for the STL degree is four semesters.
Timeline for the STL Tesina and Lectio Coram
I S.T.L. Candidates (1st Year)
September I S.T.L. candidates should begin discussing possible areas and topics for S.T.L. tesina.
15 April Deadline for I S.T.L. candidates' submission of a definitive proposal to the Dean, signed by the candidate and his or her advisor.
II S.T.L. Candidates (2nd Year)
15 October Deadline for II S.T.L. candidates' submission of the S.T.L. tesina prospectus (a formal proposal and outline) to the Dean. This includes a concrete description of the tesina, an outline, and a selected bibliography. At this time the Dean will appoint a second reader.
early March Presentation to the Dean of ten theses for the lectio coram. These will be reviewed and corrected by the Faculty. If necessary, they will be returned to the candidate to be redone. Each thesis should contain a bibliography of 7 to 10 items, generally as current as possible and clearly related to the point of the lectio. This indicates the candidate's ability to pinpoint the relevant literature for the topic and guide those who will be following (and judging) the lectio.
1 April Last day for submitting the S.T.L. tesina to the Dean.
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