University of Saint Mary of the Lake

The Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)

 The Licentiate program, which is the second cycle of theological studies, is a two-year program of specialized study in Systematic Theology. At the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, the Licentiate program concentrates on one of the following areas: on the study of the Doctrine of God, Christology, Theological Anthropology, Theological Method, and Sacramental/Liturgical Theology (on the last area see Appendix Five, p. 42). S.T.L. courses presume a foundational understanding of these areas from earlier, S.T.B. level studies and seek to deepen the students' grasp of how the Christian community's understanding of these issues has developed.

Students may pursue the Licentiate as either a transitional or a terminal degree. As a transitional degree, the S.T.L. program introduces students to a more scientific study of theology and prepares them for doctoral studies in theology. The program develops research skills and treats theological questions in greater depth. As a terminal degree, the licentiate prepares students to be teachers and resource persons. A graduate of the S.T.L. program is prepared to teach theology in a college, seminary, or university, to function as a chaplain to various professional groups, and to act as a theological resource for a diocese and diocesan agencies.

The Licentiate program is open to all qualified students. Priority status will be given to those applicants recommended or sponsored by dioceses currently served by the University of St. Mary of the Lake.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE LICENTIATE PROGRAM

1. Applicants must possess the S.T.B. or its equivalent. That is, c. 66 semester hours of Roman Catholic theology (often = an M. Div.) with c. 30 semester hours of philosophy preceding. An equivalent program must have initiated the student in all the major areas of Catholic Theology and in sufficient and appropriate philosophical studies as a prerequisite for Catholic theological studies. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 in the areas of Systematic Theology, Sacred Scripture, Ministry and Worship, Christian Life, and Church History. Ordinarily, there should be no grade lower than a B in these areas. Applicants must submit transcripts of all undergraduate and post-college academic work.

2. Applicants must submit an essay on their intellectual interests and reasons for pursuing the degree.

3. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation. The letters should include one from one’s pastor and two from former teachers in theology or others who can attest to the candidate’s academic abilities for doing graduate work in theology. The form for application and letters of recommendation may be obtained from the Pontifical President’s office.

4. Applicants must have demonstrated a reading knowledge of Latin and one modern language which can serve theological research. Modern languages include German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Polish. Students fulfill the language requirements by passing an examination given through the office of the President.

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES FOR THE LICENTIATE

The program of studies for the licentiate consists of course work, the writing of a licentiate thesis, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination in the areas of specialization and concentration.

Building upon the study of the Catholic dogmatic tradition in the S.T.B., the required courses of the S.T.L. curriculum study the areas of Christology, Theological Anthropology, the Doctrine of God, and Theological Method in each historical period. A five-course sequence on the History of Christian Thought examines the development of the Church's understanding of Christology, Theological Anthropology, the Doctrine of God, Theological Method and Liturgical/ Sacramental Theology from the New Testament to 1900. Two courses examine interpretations of these areas in the twentieth century: one course focusing on major figures, both Catholic and Protestant, who had influenced theology by the time of the Second Vatican Council, and the other course exploring movements in theology since 1965. The second year of the program includes a teaching assistantship (see below), which is usually done in the fall quarter, and two one-hour colloquium courses in which students present research in progress on their licentiate projects.

Teaching Assistantship

In addition to the current implementation of the teaching requirement for STL students—by which the student is apprenticed to a professor who is teaching a theology course in the seminary curriculum—the teaching requirement may also be fulfilled by a student who presents a series or course of presentations or lectures, containing substantial theological content, in the context of another USML program, parochial catechetical instruction, RCIA programs, parish adult education programs, parish enrichment programs, or the like. The student must submit an outline or syllabus of the series or course to the President of the Pontifical Faculty for approval before the series or course will be accepted as fulfilling the teaching requirement.

CURRICULUM FOR THE STL

All courses are three hours unless otherwise noted, e.g., the courses on History of Christian Thought II and III are six-hour courses. In addition to the required courses, five elective courses are to be taken. The timing of the elective courses is at the student’s discretion.

FIRST YEAR

FALL

1. History of Christian Thought I: New Testament - 200
2. Classics of 20th-Century Theology
3. S.T.L. elective

WINTER

1. History of Christian Thought II: 200-800 (6 hours)
2. S.T.L. elective

SPRING

1. History of Christian Thought III-A: 800-1500
2. S.T.L. elective [for non-M.Div. candidates]

SECOND YEAR

FALL

1. Teaching assistantship
2. History of Christian Thought IV: 1500-1700
3. History of Christian Thought III-B
4. S.T.L. elective

WINTER

1. History of Christian Thought V: 1700-1900
2. Contemporary Theology
3. Colloquium on S.T.L. project (1 hour)
4. S.T.L. elective

SPRING

1. Colloquium on S.T.L. project (1 hour)
2. Thesis preparation
3. Preparation for the S.T.L. examination
4. S.T.L. elective [if not taken in spring of the first year--this course may be taken in any quarter of the program]

*(Please note the policy on 2nd year summer-sessions in Appendix Four.)

NOTE ON DISPENSATION FROM M.DIV. REQUIREMENTS
AT MUNDELEIN SEMINARY

In cooperation with the Academic Dean of Mundelein Seminary, certain adjustments are made for students who are completing their M. Div. requirements at the same time that they are beginning their Licentiate studies. All adjustments of requirements for the M. Div. are subject to the discretion of the Academic Dean of Mundelein Seminary.

For further information consult the Academic Dean or the Registrar.

POLICY FOR GRADING AND GPA

Grading policy for licentiate courses is the same as for the S.T.B. program. Students must complete all courses and maintain at least a B (3.0) average throughout the program. Failure in a course or failure to maintain a 3.0 average will be cause for review by the President and the Graduate Board and can be reason for dismissal from the program.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

In all written assignments of whatever kind, including examinations, each student is responsible for the integrity of his/her own work. In all written assignments, any dependence on, or use of someone else’s work must be clearly noted and appropriate references given. The recycling of any assignment prepared for another course - either one’s own work, or the work of another - is strictly forbidden. Failure to follow these rules will be considered plagiarism. Any student who plagiarizes---i.e., takes, copies, or otherwise uses without proper acknowledgment the work of another, or recycles assignments from another course, one’s own or another’s---will face dismissal from the Pontifical Program.

THE LICENTIATE THESIS

The second requirement of the S.T.L. program is the writing of a Licentiate thesis. It is to be a major thesis in one of the areas of concentration: Christology, the Doctrine of God, Theological Anthropology, Theological Method, Sacramental / Liturgical Theology, or the Spirituality of Diocesan Priesthood. The topic of the research paper is to be approved by the Graduate Board, and the paper itself is to be approved by a Director.

The Licentiate thesis can be compared to a substantial scholarly article which might appear in a theological journal. Its length is normally about sixty to eighty typewritten pages. The thesis allows the student to demonstrate the ability to do theological research and to present it in a coherent way. Research involves the detailed study of an author or issue through the use of both primary and secondary sources. The research thesis concludes with a personal assessment of the findings.

The schedule for research and writing of the S.T.L. thesis for full-time students may be found in Appendix Two of the latest Bulletin. In the case of special circumstances or part-time students, individual modifications may be made in consultation with the President.

THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION

Students are examined in the areas of concentration of the S.T.L. program: Christology, the Doctrine of God, Theological Anthropology, Theological Method, and Sacramental / Liturgical Theology. The material for the examination is divided into three sections: (1) New Testament foundations of the Church's understanding of the areas of concentrations; (2) Catholic dogmatic affirmations concerning the areas of concentration; and (3) six selected theologians.

All students are responsible for the New Testament foundations and Catholic dogmatic affirmations in each area of concentration.

In addition, each student will select six theologians, one from each of the following periods: (1) Patristic (100- 800); (2) Medieval (800-1500); (3) Reformation (1500-- 1700); (4) Early Modern (1700-1900); (5) Theologians of the Early 20th Century (active, 1900-1965); and (6) Contemporary Theologians (1965-- ). At least three of the authors selected must be from the Catholic tradition. The student will be responsible for each author's: (1) understanding of a particular area of theological concentration; (2) theological method; and (3) relation to the New Testament foundations and the Catholic dogmatic tradition. For details, see the latest Bulletin, Appendix Three.

The student has a choice of either a written or an oral examination. The oral examination will last one hour with three examiners. The written examination will last three hours and will be based on three questions chosen from a list of five. Questions may be drawn from any of the three sections and from any of the authors selected.

Grading. A student passes the S.T.L. comprehensive by earning at least a B (85-92/100) average, based on the average of the grades of each examiner. Passing “with distinction” means each examiner gave a grade of 95/100 or higher. A student fails the exam if one examiner (or, obviously, more) gives a failing grade (0-76/100). Those who fail the examination may retake the exam once. For complete information, see Appendix Three.

Appendix Two: Schedule for Writing S.T.L. Thesis
Appendix Three: Reading List for the S.T.L. Exam
Appendix Four: S.T.L. Summer Sessions
Appendix Five: S.T.L. Concentrations

The Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.)

 The first cycle of theological studies is a three-year introduction to the study of theology in the Roman Catholic tradition leading to the Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.), which is offered at University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary under the auspices of and accredited by the Congregation for Catholic Education. The S.T.B. represents ecclesial certification that a person has studied and is knowledgeable in all the major areas of Catholic theology. Students demonstrate their general mastery of theology in a comprehensive examination at the end of the course of studies. Appendix One of the latest Bulletin of the Ecclesiastical Faculty lists the topics and areas which are to be mastered by candidates in preparation for the S.T.B. examination. The Bulletin is available from the Registrar’s Office.

The courses of the first cycle are offered in close collaboration with the M. Div. program of Mundelein Seminary. The program of studies is listed below. Further information on these courses may be found in the latest Catalog of Mundelein Seminary, available from the Registrar.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE S.T.B. PROGRAM

1. The Baccalaureate (or “Bachelor’s”) degree in theology is open to all qualified students. All applicants must possess an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Their undergraduate program must have included twelve semester hours of theological or religious studies and thirty semester hours of philosophical studies oriented toward Catholic theology, including: an introduction to philosophical questions and method, medieval philosophy, modern or contemporary philosophy, and introductions to the Old and New Testaments. Applicants must submit transcripts of their undergraduate and post-college academic work, an essay on intellectual interests and reasons for pursuing the degree, and two letters of recommendation from teachers in theology or philosophy.

2. Candidates should complete their coursework maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0 ordinarily with no grade lower than B. The comprehensive examination will normally be completed at the end of third year.

3. A student passes the S.T.B. comprehensive exam by earning at least a B (85-92/100) average based on the average of the grades given for each question. Passing “with distinction” means each question received a grade of 95/100 or higher. A student fails the exam if one question receives a failing grade (0-76/100). Those who fail the examination may retake the exam once. They are tested in the area(s) in which they failed.

4. Application forms for the S.T.B are available from the Office of the Registrar and must be approved by the President of the Pontifical Faculty.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES FOR THE S.T.B.

The program of studies for students in the S.T.B. program is as follows:

A. Biblical Exegesis and Proclamation
1. Pentateuch
2. Johannine Literature
3. Introduction to St. Paul
4. Synoptic Gospels
5. Issues in Pauline Theology (2 hours)
6. Prophets
7. Wisdom/Psalms (2 hours)

B. Systematic Theology
8. Fundamental Theology: Revelation
9. Christology
10. God: One and Three
11. Christian Anthropology
12. Ecclesiology
13. Holy Eucharist
14. Ecumenical & Interreligious Dialogue
15. Issues in Christology
16. Sacraments of Initiation
17. Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
18. Holy Orders

C. Christian Life
19. Christian Principles
20. Introduction to Spiritual Theology
21. Special Moral I
22. Special Moral II
23. Special Moral III
24. Special Moral IV
25. Canon Law I
26. Canon Law II
27. Issues in Spiritual Theology

D. Church History
28. Early Christian Life and Thought
29. Medieval Church History (2 hours)
30. Reformation and Catholic Response (2 hours)
31. Modern Church History
32. American Church History

E. Worship
33. History of the Eucharist (Worship I)
34. Music in the Liturgy (Worship II)
35. Comprehensive Exam

Total number of courses (including Comprehensive Exam): 35

Total number of quarter hours: 101
31 3-hour courses
4 2-hour courses
101 quarter hours (= 66.5 semester hours)

POLICY FOR GRADING AND GPA

The teacher of each course, whether required or elective, grades the student's achievement in the course through whatever means the teacher deems suitable, including written or oral examinations, class presentations, term papers or other appropriate measures. The Pontifical Faculty of Theology uses the letter scale as its grading system: A, B+, B, C+, C, F [and in some instances, P for “Pass”]. A fuller description of these grades can be found in the latest Catalog of Mundelein Seminary.

TOPICS FOR THE STB COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.)

 The doctoral program, which is the third cycle of theological studies, is a minimum two-year program of specialized research in systematic theology. At the University of Saint Mary of the Lake the doctoral program, like the licentiate, concentrates on the study of the doctrine of God, Christology, theological anthropology, theological method, sacramental/liturgical theology, or the spirituality of diocesan priesthood. The program presumes superior achievement at the licentiate level.

 The Doctorate in Sacred Theology is the terminal research degree. Its focus is to perfect the skills of the candidate in the scientific study of theology and to develop the research skills necessary for treating theological questions in depth. As a terminal research degree, the doctorate prepares students to be university professors, researchers, expert resource persons. A graduate of the S.T.D. program is prepared to teach theology in a college, seminary, or university, to conduct independent research and publishing and to act as a theological resource for a diocese and diocesan agencies.

 Admissions

            The doctoral program is very selective. Usually admission to the program is by invitation. Applicants will usually have received the STL magna cum laude. Further, admission is based on the appropriateness of the doctoral research to the interests of the Pontifical Faculty.

 The Doctoral program ordinarily extends over two years and aims at the completion of the student’s scientific formation especially through the writing of a doctoral dissertation.

 Applicants must present evidence of possessing a licentiate in sacred theology (S.T.L.) or equivalent and competences in the languages and other research tools needed for their research.

 Applicants with an S.T.L. degree from another faculty will have their work evaluated to assure that their preparation is substantially equivalent to the USML S.T.L. degree. In addition to the requirements connected with the dissertation (see below), there may be further requirements (e.g., course work, examination) according to the decision of the

  President in consultation with the Graduate Board (Statuta, Art. 57 b).

 Length of Program

 The third cycle is normally at least two years in duration with at least one year devoted full time to research.

 Dissertation

 The dissertation must be on an important theological question, selected by the candidate and approved by a professor who is an expert in the field with the consent of the Graduate Board.

 The dissertation must be a specimen of the candidate’s erudition, judgment, and knowledge of Catholic doctrine, demonstrating his or her skill in positive and speculative theology and the ability to do scientific investigation which is original and contributes to the advancement of theological knowledge. It must be of sufficient length to constitute a truly scientific study. Normally, the dissertation will be not less than 150 pages or more than 400 pages. Any exceptions must have the approval of the President.

 Public Defense

 The candidate must pass an examination on his or her dissertation ordinarily before five professors. This board is appointed by the President. Three of these professors will be the director and the Second and Third Readers. The director and the Second and Third Readers must approve the dissertation for defense before the defense date can be set. The Fourth and Fifth Readers will then be appointed. The Defense Date should be set so as to give these last appointed Readers adequate time to review the dissertation.  Normally, this time period will be one month from the date the dissertation is approved for defense.

 The student must defend the dissertation in a public, oral examination of 90 minutes. The candidate will begin with a twenty-minute presentation of his dissertation. Questions will then be addressed to the student by each member of the Board in turn for ten minutes each. Then questions will be invited ex corona for the remaining 20 minutes.

For further information on Grading for the Defense, Publication of the Dissertation, and Fees related to the Doctoral Program, see the latest Bulletin of the Pontifical Faculty.