Doctor of Sacred Theology
Encyclopedia
The Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D. Sacrae Theologiae Doctor) is the final theological degree in the pontifical university
system of the Catholic Church.
The degree builds upon the work of the Bachelor of Sacred Theology
(S.T.B.) and the Licentiate of Sacred Theology
(S.T.L.). Normally, the S.T.B. is earned in three years, provided the candidate has at least two years of undergraduate study of philosophy before entering an S.T.B. program (if not, the S.T.B. will take five years; Sapientia Christiana assumes this to be the normal situation). The S.T.L. is normally earned in an additional two years, and the S.T.D. is earned after the writing, defense and publication of the doctoral dissertation (an additional 2–3 years). At institutions that offer both civil and church doctorates, the requirements of the S.T.D. will usually—although not always—be shaped so that those reading for the award can receive a Th.D. or Ph.D. in the process of meeting the requirements of the S.T.D.
This compares with, for example in North American institutions, the four-year program for a B.A. at many universities, a two-year program for an M.A., and the writing and successful defense of the doctoral dissertation for the Ph.D. or Th.D. (an additional 2–3 years).
A sketch of the degree cycle and requirements for ecclesiastical degrees can be found in John Paul II's apostolic constitution
, Sapientia Christiana.
The S.T.D., or the Doctor of Canon Law
(D.C.L. or J.C.D.), is the preferred qualification for teaching theology or canon law on a Catholic university faculty or for holding certain other posts of administration. In addition, the S.T.D. is usually required for a permanent post on the theology faculty of an ecclesiastical or pontifical university. However, this requirement can be waived if a teacher holds an S.T.L. John Paul II's Sapientia Christiania notes that in the event where a doctorate is non-canonical, "the teacher will usually be required to have at least a canonical licentiate." (SC, Article 17).
In the US, although it may have more stringent entry requirements than a PhD in theology, it is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation
to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy
.
cathedral
s in honour of holders of this degree. In modern times, in some British and Irish
universities, the degree of Doctor of Divinity
(D.D.) may be used in its place. The D.D. in Australia
, for example, is a higher doctorate and differs markedly from the S.T.D.
Pontifical university
A pontifical university is a Catholic University established by and directly under the authority of the Holy See. It is licensed to grant academic degrees in sacred faculties, the most important of which are Sacred Theology, Canon Law, Sacred Scripture and...
system of the Catholic Church.
The degree builds upon the work of the Bachelor of Sacred Theology
Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
(S.T.B.) and the Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
(S.T.L.). Normally, the S.T.B. is earned in three years, provided the candidate has at least two years of undergraduate study of philosophy before entering an S.T.B. program (if not, the S.T.B. will take five years; Sapientia Christiana assumes this to be the normal situation). The S.T.L. is normally earned in an additional two years, and the S.T.D. is earned after the writing, defense and publication of the doctoral dissertation (an additional 2–3 years). At institutions that offer both civil and church doctorates, the requirements of the S.T.D. will usually—although not always—be shaped so that those reading for the award can receive a Th.D. or Ph.D. in the process of meeting the requirements of the S.T.D.
This compares with, for example in North American institutions, the four-year program for a B.A. at many universities, a two-year program for an M.A., and the writing and successful defense of the doctoral dissertation for the Ph.D. or Th.D. (an additional 2–3 years).
A sketch of the degree cycle and requirements for ecclesiastical degrees can be found in John Paul II's apostolic constitution
Apostolic constitution
An apostolic constitution is the highest level of decree issued by the Pope. The use of the term constitution comes from Latin constitutio, which referred to any important law issued by the Roman emperor, and is retained in church documents because of the inheritance that the canon law of the...
, Sapientia Christiana.
The S.T.D., or the Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
(D.C.L. or J.C.D.), is the preferred qualification for teaching theology or canon law on a Catholic university faculty or for holding certain other posts of administration. In addition, the S.T.D. is usually required for a permanent post on the theology faculty of an ecclesiastical or pontifical university. However, this requirement can be waived if a teacher holds an S.T.L. John Paul II's Sapientia Christiania notes that in the event where a doctorate is non-canonical, "the teacher will usually be required to have at least a canonical licentiate." (SC, Article 17).
In the US, although it may have more stringent entry requirements than a PhD in theology, it is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
.
Older usages
This degree was formerly awarded as Sacrae Theologiae Professor (S.T.P.), making it one of the rare degrees of Professor. Inscriptions can be found in many BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
s in honour of holders of this degree. In modern times, in some British and Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
universities, the degree of Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(D.D.) may be used in its place. The D.D. in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, for example, is a higher doctorate and differs markedly from the S.T.D.