Pontifical University St Patricks College Maynooth

Theology

Doctoral Degree in Theology
A candidate undertaking the PhD in Theology delineates and investigates a question, a question that fascinates the candidate and captures their imagination.

Description
Under the supervision of a member of the Faculty of Theology, a candidate undertaking the PhD in Theology delineates and investigates a question or the aspect of a question in a way that permits her or him to acquire an overarching mastery and competence in their chosen theological discipline, so as to formulate a thesis, write a dissertation thereon, and thus contribute to the development of theological understanding. The Faculty of Theology currently supervises the PhD in Theology in all principal theological disciplines.

Obtaining a doctorate is not just obtaining a more advanced degree—gaining a doctorate is gaining another life! Researching and writing a doctoral dissertation is not simply a question of more detailed and demanding study, it is the study of a question, a question that fascinates the candidate and captures their imagination. As well as academic ability, undertaking doctoral studies demands dedication, focus, and an ability to hold to one's academic path. This is clearly not for everybody, but for those who endure in their research, the rewards are great: an overarching mastery and competence in their field of research, a deep insight not only into their sub-discipline, into the very character of theology or philosophy, an ability to frame and engage new questions and research challenges as they emerge.

The Maynooth doctoral candidate—be it for the PhD or the D.D. (S.T.D.)—has access to a very large, international, multilingual, research active, and diverse Faculty in the Catholic tradition that is part of a dynamic academic network across Europe's premier theology faculties, in an institution where theology has been taught since 1795, with a contemporary research library (the John Paul II University Library) and a venerable archival library (the Russell Library), and sharing research facilities with a large State university on Ireland's most beautiful and most peaceful University campus.

Are you considering a career in research? The PhD programme is an opportunity for those who want to further their studies after completing a master's degree. A PhD will qualify you to lecture in higher level education, conduct research and enter other fields where there are high standard for scholarly insight and advanced analytical thinking.

Entry requirements

Admission Requirements
A Master's Degree in Theology of at least Second Class Honors Grade I or its equivalent.
The Faculty of Theology may also accept applicants whom it deems to have achieved an equivalent standard.

A competence in theological language(s) is a qualifying requirement
• Doctoral 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. A syllabus for this examination is provided on the Faculty website.
• Candidates who do not pass the above qualifying examination, are required to attend and pass qualifying courses in at least two of the following: Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. In certain circumstances an advanced course in one language may be accepted in lieu of a second.
• Candidates who have successfully completed a one-year full-time University course in Hebrew, Latin or Greek are exempt, as are candidates who have successfully completed theological language courses in the Pontifical University.
• The language(s) requirement is merely qualifying and does not form part of the final assessment.

Candidates whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English Language Requirements.

Postgraduate Degree candidates will normally be expected to register year by year on a continuous basis until they have completed their degree. Candidates wishing to suspend registration may do so only on the express permission of the Faculty. Upon registration, PhD candidates will be assigned a staff mentor to assist them in their choice of courses and thesis director.

Progress at doctoral level demands a significant investment of time by the candidate in personal study and research. As such, study and research requires access both to resources that are frequently only available in research libraries, as well as easy access to the candidate's director or mentor, it is strongly recommended that doctoral candidates, especially at the beginning of their studies, spend at least three days per week on the Maynooth campus, during the semester.

Duration

3+ years

Careers or further progression

Career Outcomes
Are you considering a career in research?
The PhD programme is an opportunity for those who want to further their studies after completing a Master's Degree. A PhD will qualify you to lecture in higher level education, conduct research and enter other fields where there are high standard for scholarly insight and advanced analytical thinking.

Further enquiries

St. Patrick's College
Maynooth
Co. Kildare
W23 TW77
+353 (0)1 708 3600
admissions@spcm.ie

Subjects taught

Programme of Study
• Candidates must normally complete at least three years of full-time study, the first year of which is termed the Doctoral Foundation Year.
• The Doctoral Foundation Year includes four postgraduate seminar courses. Two of these courses will normally be Research in Theology: Historical and Methodological Approaches (PG 464) and The Soul of Theology (PG 442).
• Candidates who have recently completed these two courses as part of an STL or Masters in the Pontifical University are exempt. In order to be considered for progression to the second year of the doctoral programme, candidates are to achieve an aggregate 2:1 across these four seminar courses. In the Second Semester of the Foundation Year, the candidate shall, with the guidance of a mentor or director, identify a topic of research interest, and present a brief outline to two nominees of the Postgraduate Board by June 15th. This research topic, is not a doctoral proposal, but rather a research area that creates direction and focus for the doctoral proposal.
• Normally, the doctoral proposal, which forms the basis of the doctoral dissertation, will be presented for approval to the Faculty of Theology during the second year of the doctoral programme.
• The doctoral dissertation, which forms the basis for the award of the degree, must be a substantial and original piece of research, which offers a notable contribution to the advancement of the theological sciences.
• The dissertation must be prepared under the direction of a member of the Faculty of Theology on a topic approved by the Faculty.
• Candidates must have or must acquire a good reading knowledge of a modern continental European language.

Assessment method

Regulations for the Viva Voce Examination
A viva voce examination of the dissertation is required for the awarding of the PhD.

I. The candidate shall in the first place submit three copies of the dissertation which may be ring-bound.

II. The examiners shall be the supervisor of the dissertation, an external examiner chosen by the Faculty, and an internal Reader, member of the Faculty appointed by the Faculty.

The Faculty will also appoint a chairperson for the viva, and members of the Faculty are invited to attend.

III. The examiners may accept or reject the dissertation for defence.

IV. The format of the defence shall be decided by the examiners but shall not exceed one and a half-hour's duration.

V. The examiners shall make a written recommendation to the Faculty.

VI. The dissertation may be accepted without change or with some modifications, or it may be rejected on the basis of the viva voce examination.

VII. In the event of a successful viva the candidate must submit a hard-bound copy of the dissertation incorporating any changes which the examiners may require. Changes are verified by at least one of the examiners. The degree shall not be conferred until receipt of a duly revised copy has been confirmed by the Director of Postgraduate Studies.

VIII. A copy of the dissertation will be lodged in the John Paul II Library, and candidates will be invited to complete the following declaration: I hereby agree that the copy of my dissertation deposited in the Library shall be available for consultation under conditions laid down by the Pontifical University.

IX. All dissertations shall remain the property of the University.