Divinity - Licentiate in Divinity

Programme suitable for:
The Licentiate in Divinity (STL) degree is suggested for lay, clergy and religious to further theological expertise for service in official capacities in religious communities and dioceses, and for teaching in higher education, diocesan schools, and seminaries. Officially, it "is the academic degree which enables one to teach in a major seminary or equivalent school." It also serves as a preparation for doctoral work.

Description:
The STL is a pivotal postgraduate degree in the Pontifical University, as the STL qualifies candidates to teach theology in a major seminary, and in the canonical programmes of a Roman Catholic university. St Patrick's Pontifical University awards the Licentiate in Fundamental Theology, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Liturgy, and in Philosophy (LPhil or PhL).

Since the STL qualifies candidates to teach theology as described above, it provides both the necessary skills and knowledge to permit candidates to acquire mastery in their field of interest and offers a demanding cycle of seminars and reading courses that ensure a rigorous grounding in a particular theological discipline.

The programme takes at least 4 semesters, during the final two semesters of which the candidate undertakes a dissertation, which is examined Viva voce. To obtain the Licentiate in Divinity (STL), two years' full-time specialised study is required. The course and degree are designed for candidates who have attained honours standard in their previous theological studies. Part-time candidates may, with the approval of the Director, take the course over three or four years.

Year 1
Reading Courses
Candidates select two reading courses from the list of courses on offer. Candidates must take courses from two different theological disciplines.

Reading Courses are assigned the code RC:
Reading Courses are to convene at least once per month during the academic year (i.e., at least 6 meetings). Reading Courses are to be assessed by a variety of means: end-of-semester papers and a formal colloquium presentation. Each paper is to be of 3000 words, making a total of 6000 words per reading course. The STL Programme Director, in consultation with those offering the suite of reading courses, is to ensure variety and balance in the means of assessment.

Seminar Courses
Full-time candidates usually take four seminar courses in year one.

Please note that the courses Research in Theology: PG464 Historical and Methodological Approaches and PG442 The Soul of Theology are obligatory

Part-time candidates agree an initial schedule of seminar courses with the Programme Director.

Seminar courses are normally assessed by assignment(s) of c.7,000 words. Variations may be approved by the Director in consultation with the Postgraduate Board.

Research Colloquium
Formal colloquium presentation

Induction Week
Candidates must successfully complete the Postgraduate Induction Week which takes place September.

Year 2
Reading Courses
Candidates take one reading course in the theological discipline of their specialization.

Reading Courses are to convene at least once per month during the academic year (i.e., at least 6 meetings). Reading Courses are to be assessed by a variety of means: end-of-semester papers and a formal colloquium presentation. Each paper is to be of 3000 words, making a total of 6000 words per reading course. The STL Programme Director, in consultation with those offering the suite of reading courses, is to ensure variety and balance in the means of assessment.

Seminar Courses
Full-time candidates usually take two courses in year two.

Please note that the courses Research in Theology: Historical and Methodological Approaches and The Soul of Theology are obligatory.

Part-time candidates agree an initial schedule of seminar courses with the Programme Director.

Seminar courses are normally assessed by assignment(s) of c.7,000 words. Variations may be approved by the Director in consultation with the Postgraduate Board.

Scriptum
Each candidate shall prepare a scriptum or dissertation under the direction of a member of the Faculty, on a topic approved by the Faculty. The scriptum shall be between 25,000 and 30,000 words in length, inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of bibliography and appendices. The scriptum is to be submitted by August 30th. A grace period of four weeks will apply.

The scriptum will be assessed in a 30-minute viva voce examination. The examiners shall be the Director of the scriptum, an internal reader, and an external reader appointed by the Faculty.

Admission Requirements:
• a candidate must hold at least a Baccalaureate in Divinity, second honours, Grade I (magna cum laude), or what in the judgement of the faculty is regarded as an equivalent standard of theological study.

• STL candidates entering the Faculty of Theology shall be required to sit a qualifying examination in at least two of the following: Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. Otherwise, students can compete this acquirement during the programme.

• Candidates must have or must acquire a good reading knowledge of one modern continental European language.

• Candidates whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirements.

In addition, candidates must complete Postgraduate induction, week beginning 11th September 2023.

Application Deadline:
24th June 2023 For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications may be considered). 20th May 2023 For non EU.

The Final Assessment of the STL is based on:
• Reading Course examinations
• Seminar Course assignments
• The Scriptum and its Viva Voce examination.
• Language requirements are qualifying requirements and do not form part of the final assessment.

2 years full-time. Method of teaching: In-person.

Course Start Date: September 2020

Career Outcomes
The STL degree is suggested for lay, clergy and religious to further theological expertise for service in official capacities in religious communities and dioceses, and for teaching in higher education, diocesan schools and seminaries. Officially, it "is the academic degree which enables one to teach in a major seminary or equivalent school." It also serves as a preparation for doctoral work.