Academics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Program is aimed at forming contextual professional theologians who are capable of doing solid and sustained theological reflection, teaching, academic research and pastoral praxis in their own contexts.

Academic Prerequisites

A student must have graduated from Masters in theology with academic degree (Thesis Program) as specified by the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines or its equivalent in other countries.

Those who have graduated from other non-thesis programs of Masteral courses other than theology shall have their credentials evaluated by the Dean or Director of Admissions.

Academic Course Load

• Basic Courses (6 Units):
  • Methods in Theological Research
  • Advanced Scientific Research Methods
• Core Philosophy (9 Units, any of the following):
  • Contemporary Philosophies of the Human Person
  • Contemporary Ethical Theories
  • Contemporary Researches on Ancient Philosophies
  • Contemporary Researches on Medieval Philosophies
  • Contemporary Researches on Modern Philosophies
  • Advanced Metaphysics
  • Contemporary Critical Theories
  • Contemporary Philosophy of Nature
  • Phenomenological Method
  • Advanced Hermeneutic Studies
  • Contemporary Philosophies of Religion
  • Asian Philosophies
  • Filipino Philosophy
  • Contemporary Philosophies of Science
  • Structuralism, Post-structuralism, and After
  • Feminist Philosophies
  • Intercultural Philosophies
• Areas of Concentration (27 Units)
  • Concentration on Systematic Theology – any 7 of the following:
    • Patristics
    • Medieval Theologies and Theologians
    • Modern Theologies and Theologians
    • Contemporary Theologians
    • History of Theological Methods
    • Contemporary Theological Methods
    • Recent Documents of the Church
    • Asian Religions and Theologies
    • Language, Symbols and Theology
    • Contemporary Christologies
    • Contemporary Developments in Ecclesiology
    • Eschatology in Contemporary Perspectives
    • Studies in Indigenous and Popular Religions
    • Contemporary Developments in Ecumenism
    • Contemporary Developments in Interreligious Dialogue
    • Theologies of Creation
    • Spiritual Theology: History and Prospects
    • Spiritual Traditions: East and West
    • Contemporary Theologies of Liberation
    • Inculturation: History and Prospects
    • FABC and PCP II: Theological Directions
    • Filipino Theologies: History and Prospects
    • Theologies of the Sacraments
    • Theology of the Eucharist: History and Celebration
    • Liturgical Inculturation
  • Concentration on Moral Theology – any 7 of the following:
    • Methods in Moral Theology: History and Prospects
    • Catholic Social Tradition: Contemporary Developments
    • Christian Sexual Morality: Contemporary Developments
    • Life, Death, and Dying: Ethical Reflections
    • Medical Ethics
    • Contemporary Issues in Moral Theology
    • Social Analysis: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives
    • Migration: Theological and Ethical Perspectives
    • Magisterium and Moral Theology
    • Virtue Ethics
    • Contemporary Approaches to Ecotheology
• Foreign Languages (6 Units, any 2 of the following):
  • Latin
  • Biblical Greek
  • Hebrew
  • French
  • German
• Dissertation (12 Units):
  • Seminar in Dissertation Writing
  • Dissertation Writing

Comprehensive Examination

At the end of one’s course work, the student shall take an oral comprehensive examination.

Public Defense

The final assessment for the Doctoral Program shall be a public defense.

This academic degree is a Master’s thesis program aimed at preparing individuals involved in the practice of theological education to have a basic, comprehensive, and critical grasp of the Scriptures and the Christian tradition in the context of contemporary global issues and developments. The different major concentrations are made available to allow for basic specialization in some central theological fields.

Areas of Concentration (Majors)

1. Systematic Studies
2. Moral Studies
3. Biblical Studies
4. Liturgical Studies
5. Vincentian Spirituality

Academic Prerequisites

1. An applicant must have graduated with any Bachelor’s Degree (four-year university course) as specified by the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines or its equivalent in other countries.
2. They must have taken up at least 12 units of Theology or Philosophy in their undergraduate courses from their previous university or equivalent institutions of learning.

Academic Course Load & Curriculum

• Basic Courses (6 Units, for all Areas of Concentrations):
  • Research Methods 1- Methods and Materials for Research Writing
  • Research Methods 2- Practical and Empirical Methods
• Core Courses (12 Units, for all Areas of Concentrations unless specified):
  • Introduction to Scriptures
  • Fundamental Systematic Theology: Revelation and Faith
  • Fundamental Moral Theology
  • Christology and Soteriology (Systematic Studies, Moral Studies, Liturgical Studies, and Vincentian Spirituality only)
  • Biblical Hebrew and Greek (Biblical Studies only)
• Major Courses (18 Units per Area of Concentration):
  • Systematic Studies
    • Triune God
    • Creation and Eschatology
    • Theological Anthropology, Sin and Grace
    • Ecclesiology
    • Missiology
    • Liberation Theologies
  • Moral Studies
    • Christian Sexual Ethics
    • Life and Biomedical Ethics
    • Catholic Social Teachings
    • Environmental Ethics
    • Contemporary Issues in Moral Theology 1
    • Special Moral Questions
  • Biblical Studies
    • Pentateuch and Historical Books
    • Prophetic and Wisdom Literatures
    • Synoptics and Acts
    • Pauline and Catholic Epistles
    • Johannine Writings
    • Contemporary Approaches to Biblical Studies and Exegesis
  • Liturgical Studies
    • Introduction to Liturgy and Sacraments
    • Sacraments of Christian Initiation 1: Baptism and Confirmation
    • Sacraments of Christian Initiation 2: Eucharist
    • Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation-Anointing
    • Sacraments of Commitment 1: Holy Orders
    • Sacraments of Commitment 2: Matrimony
  • Vincentian Spirituality
    • History of Christian Spirituality
    • Theology and Christian Spirituality
    • Contemporary Spiritualities
    • Retreat Giving and Spiritual Direction
    • Spiritual Discernment
    • Vincentian Spirituality
• Elective/Practicum (Units vary per Areas of Concentration):
  • Systematic Studies & Moral Studies (3 Units)
  • Biblical Studies (12 Units)
  • Liturgical Studies (12 Units, required course: Theology of Inculturation)
  • Vincentian Spirituality (12 Units, required course: East and West)
• Thesis Writing and Defense (6 Units, for all Areas of Concentrations)

Comprehensive Examination

A student shall take an oral comprehensive examination in front of a panel of three (3) members representing three theological fields: one on the field of concentration (Major) and 2 from other fields to be determined by the Program Chairperson.

Public Defense

The final assessment for the Master’s Program shall be a public defense.

This professional degree is a non-thesis Master’s program aimed to equip individuals involved in different pastoral ministries with an appropriate and critical grasp of basic theological frameworks and effective pastoral skills necessary to do ministry in their pastoral contexts.

Academic Prerequisites

1. An applicant must have graduated with any Bachelor’s Degree (four-year university course) as specified by the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines or its equivalent in other countries.
2. They must have taken up at least 12 units of Theology or Philosophy in their undergraduate courses from their previous university or equivalent institutions of learning.

Academic Course Load & Curriculum

• Core Courses (15 Units)
  • Introduction to Scriptures
  • Fundamental Systematic Theology: Revelation and Faith
  • Fundamental Moral Theology
  • Ecclesiology
  • Christology and Soteriology
• Major Courses (18 Units)
  • Pastoral Theology
  • Pastoral Administration, Leadership and Management
  • Missiology
  • Theology of Ministries
  • Pastoral Counselling and Psychology
  • Poverty and Community Development Studies
• Elective/Practicum (12 Units)
  • Seminar 1
  • Seminar 2
  • Elective 1
  • Elective 2

Comprehensive Examination

1. At the end of one’s academic coursework, the student shall take an oral comprehensive examination in front of a panel of three (3) members representing different theological fields: one from pastoral ministry and 2 others from different theological fields to be determined by the Program Chairperson depending on the majority of courses taken.
2. After having passed the comprehensives, the student shall apply for graduation in Adamson University and shall be proclaimed graduate in Masters in Pastoral Ministry.

This is a 4-year college degree program offered at Adamson University under the College of Education and Liberal Arts (CELA). This is offered to provide special training for students who wish to major in Philosophy or as preparation for a professional advanced program in Law, Education, Theology and Graduate Studies in Human Sciences.

Academic Prerequisites

1. An Applicant must be a high school graduate.
2. He or she should have taken and passed the Adamson University Entrance Exam (UEE). For more details, please click here to visit the Adamson UEE Requirements page.
   

Academic Course Load & Curriculum: All courses will be taken at St. Vincent School of Theology (SVST).

*Philosophy Curriculum 2023, effective 1st Semester, School Year 2023-’24

• Minor Courses
  • First Year
    • First Semester (23 Units)
      • Introduction to Philosophy
      • Logic
      • History Of Western Philosophy 1 (Ancient And Medieval)
      • Purposive Communication
      • Understanding The Self
      • Pathfit 1 – Movement Competency Training
      • National Service Training Program 1
      • Searching For God In The World Today
    • Second Semester (23 Units)
      • Seminar On Plato/Aristotle
      • Science, Technology, and Society
      • Mathematics in the Modern World
      • The Contemporary World
      • Advanced Philosophy of Human Person
      • Pathfit 2- Exercise-Based Fitness Activities
      • National Service Training Program 2
      • Responding to God’s Call by Becoming Fully Human
  • Second Year
    • First Semester (23 Units)
      • Metaphysics
      • Reading in Philippine History
      • History of Western Philosophy 2 (Modern And Contemporary)
      • GE Elective 1
      • Foreign Language 1
      • Pathfit 3 – Dance
      • Celebrating God’s Presence as a Christian Community
      • History of Indian Philosophy
    • Second Semester (23 Units)
      • Epistemology
      • Ethics
      • Cosmology (Philosophy Of Nature)
      • Foreign Language 2
      • History of Chinese Philosophy
      • GE Elective 2
      • Pathfit 4 – Sports
      • Transforming The World With St. Vincent
• Major Courses
  • Third Year
    • First Semester (24 Units)
      • Modern Asian Thoughts
      • Phenomenology
      • Philosophy Of Religion
      • Art Appreciation
      • Allied Elective 1
      • GE Elective 3
      • Hermeneutics
      • Free Elective 1
    • Second Semester (21 Units)
      • Comparative Philosophy (East-West)
      • Political Philosophy (Social Critical Theory)
      • Philosophy of Science
      • Aesthetics
      • Allied Elective 2
      • Thesis Writing 1
      • Seminar on Filipino Philosophy
  • Fourth Year
    • First Semester (18 Units)
      • Seminar on Contemporary Philosophy
      • Philosophy of Language
      • Allied Elective 3
      • Philosophy of Education
      • Free Elective 2
      • Rizal’s Life and Works
    • Second Semester (9 Units)
      • Special Questions in Philosophy 1 (Philo. Of Social Science)
      • Special Questions on Ethics
      • Thesis Writing 2
• Disciplinal/Allied Electives (9 Units): any of the following
  • Religious Studies Track
    • Allied Elective 1 – Introduction To Philosophical Theology
    • Allied Elective 2 – Christian Philosophy
    • Allied Elective 3 – Values Education (Axiology)
  • Social Sciences Track
    • Allied Elective 1 – Human Growth, Learning, And Development
    • Allied Elective 2 – Educational Sociology
    • Allied Elective 3 – Observation And Community Immersion

• GE Electives (9 Units): any of the following
  • Environmental Science
  • Human Reproduction And Society
  • Philippine Indigenous Communities
  • Religions, Religious Experiences And Spirituality
  • Gender And Society
  • Great Books And Literature
    
• Free Electives (6 Units): any of the following
  • Conceptions of Anthropological Development
  • Conflict Management and Peace Studies
  • Filipino Psychology
  • Fundamentals of Political Science
  • Principles of Guidance And Counselling
  • Principles of Teaching
  • Process Philosophy and Theology
  • Religious Thought in the Jewish and Islamic Traditions
  • Research and Evaluation
  • Theories of Personality

• Foreign Language 1 & 2: any of the following
  • Latin 1 & 2
  • Greek 1 & 2
  • Spanish 1 & 2
  • German 1 & 2
  • Italian 1 & 2
  • French 1 & 2

End Course Requirement

At the end of the academic coursework, students shall pass their approved and graded thesis.

This non-civil degree program is a four-year theological and pastoral training aimed at preparing seminarians for their future priestly ministry. This academic theological formation is intended to fulfill the canonical requirements for the formation of priests and is patterned after the Ratio Formationis for Theological Education in the Philippines. A candidate for the priesthood can also take up the Master of Arts in Theology Program while pursuing the Curriculum for the Ordained Ministry.

Academic Pre-requisites

1. An applicant must have graduated with any Bachelor’s Degree (four-year university course) as specified by the Commission on Higher Education in the Philippines or its equivalent in other countries.
2. The student shall have taken up at least 15 units of Theology AND at least 30 units of Philosophy in their undergraduate courses from a previous university or equivalent institutions of learning.

Academic Course Load

Students shall finish the academic course load of a total of 162 Units of Theology within a specified period, as specified in the Curriculum for the Ordained Ministry program.

• First Year
  • First Semester
    • Introduction to Scriptures
    • Fundamental Systematic Theology: Revelation and Faith
    • Fundamental Moral Theology
    • Church History 1: Ancient and Medieval
    • History of Christian Spirituality
    • Ecclesiastical Latin
    • Research Methods 1: Methods and Materials for Research Writing
• Second Semester
  • Pentateuch and Historical Books
  • Christology and Soteriology
  • Christian Sexual Ethics
  • Patristics
  • Introduction to Liturgy and Sacraments
  • Pastoral Theology
  • Research Methods 2: Practical and Empirical Methods
  • Biblical Greek and Hebrew
    

• Second Year
  • First Semester
    • Synoptics and Acts
    • Triune God
    • Church History 2: Modern and Contemporary
    • Ecclesiology
    • Pastoral Counselling and Psychology
    • Poverty and Community Development Studies
    • Sacraments of Christian Initiation 1: Baptism and Confirmation
  • Second Semester
    • Johannine Writings
    • Theology of Ministries
    • Missiology
    • Life and Biomedical Ethics
    • Church History 3: Philippines and Asia
    • Sacraments of Christian Initiation 2: Eucharist
    • Pastoral Administration, Leadership and Management
    • Institutional Paper 1
• Third Year
  • First Semester
    • Prophetic and Wisdom Literatures
    • Creation and Eschatology
    • Contemporary Issues in Moral Theology 1
    • Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation-Anointing
    • Canon Law 1: History, General Norms and People of God
    • Sacraments of Commitment 1: Holy Orders
    • Marian Theology and Popular Religiosity
  • Second Semester
    • Contemporary Approaches to Biblical Studies and Exegesis
    • Pauline and Catholic Epistles
    • Catholic Social Teaching
    • Theological Anthropology, Sin and Grace
    • Theology of Inculturation
    • Canon Law 2: Canon Law and Marriage
    • Sacraments of Commitment 2: Matrimony
    • Institutional Paper 2 
• Fourth Year
  • First Semester
    • Liberation Theologies
    • Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue
    • Homiletics 1: Theology and Spirituality of Preaching
    • Canon Law 3: Sanctions, Processes and Administrative Laws
    • Liturgical Presidency: Mass and other Sacramental Celebrations
    • Thesis Proposal/Synthesis Paper Writing
  • Second Semester
    • Ad Audiendas Confessiones
    • Homiletics 2: Practice of Preaching and Public Speaking
    • Synthesis Course (Comprehensive Review)
    • Comprehensive Exams

Synthesis Paper Defense

After fulfilling one’s academic course load, the student shall defend their Synthesis Paper in front of a panel constituted by the Dean and/or Program Chairperson. Passing the Synthesis Paper Defense makes the student eligible to take the Comprehensive Examination.

Comprehensive Examination

After defending one’s thesis proposal, the student shall take oral comprehensives in front of a panel of five (5) members representing five theological fields: History, Scriptures, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, and Liturgical-Sacramental Theology.

After having fulfilled all the requirements, the student shall be proclaimed a graduate of the Curriculum for the Ordained Ministry.

This program offered by SVST in Philosophy is for seminarians, lay, or religious people who wish to acquire basic units in Philosophy before proceeding to take formal theological studies. It is a 2-year or 4-semester program with classes held once a week in a 3-hour meeting. Students are given the option to either follow the curriculum as it is presented or select particular courses based on their academic and formation needs.

Academic Prerequisites

1.  An applicant must have graduated in any Bachelor’s Degree (four-year university course) as specified by the commission on Higher Education in the Philippines or its equivalent in other countries.
   

Academic Course Load

• First Year (21 Units)
  • First Semester
    • Introduction to Philosophical Studies
    • Logic
    • History of Western Philosophy 1
    • (History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy)
  • Second Semester
    • Philosophical Anthropology/ Advance Philosophy of Man
    • Epistemology
    • Cosmology
    • (Philosophy of Nature)
    • Ethics
• Second Year (30 units)
  • First Semester
    • Philosophy of Religion
    • Phenomenology
    • Hermeneutics/Philosophy of Language
    • History of Western Philosophy 2 (Modern and Contemporary Philosophy)
    • Metaphysics
  • Second Semester
    • Comparative Philosophy
    • History of Chinese Philosophy
    • Political Philosophy (Social Critical Theory)
    • Special Questions in Ethics
    • Philosophy of Science

Students shall finish the 17 subjects offered on this course within 2 years or finish the academic course load of a total of fifty-one (51) units of Philosophy as specified in the Philosophy for Theological Studies program.     

The Introductory Theological Formation (ITF) is a one-year non-degree formation program designed for postulants and novices to religious life, youth leaders of parishes and schools, and others who wish to acquire basic knowledge on various aspects of the Christian faith that is responsive to the signs of the times. This Certificate Program may be taken either for academic formation, personal enrichment, or as pre-requisite to the master’s degree program (MA in Theology and  Masters in Pastoral Ministry), and theological studies for the priesthood  and religious life.

Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays with class meetings (3) hours per week for each course, with hourly short breaks.

Academic Prerequisites

There is no academic degree required to be able to register for this program. It is advisable, however, if the students has at least two years in college or university. Since the ITF consists of inter-cultural and international students, it would help if the student has basic reading, writing, and communicating skills in the English language.

Course Work

• First Semester (12 Units)
  • Theology: Reflection in Faith (3 Units)
  • Christian Anthropology (3 Units)
  • Introduction to the Bible (3 Units)
  • Christology (3 Units)

• Second Semester (12 Units)
  • Christian Morality (3 Units)
  • Church, Mary and Discipleship (3 Units)
  • Liturgy and The Sacraments (3 Units)
  • Introduction to Consecrated Life (3 Units)

​A student receives a “Certificate of Completion” at the end of two semesters.

The general aim of Handog na Pag-aaral sa mga Layko or Hapag-Layko is to form and train lay leaders so that they can effectively perform their responsibilities with the support of their ordained pastors. In practical terms, any lay person who participates in Hapag-Layko, therefore, seeks to equip the lay leader, theologically and pastorally, through a formation that is contextualized for the lay condition, involving lectures, workshops, and practical exercises, and focusing not only on the skilled but also on the vocation and spirituality of service of the laity.

Who are Qualified to Enroll for the Program

1. The Hapag-Layko Program is open to all lay people, 18 years of age and above.
2. There is no academic degree required to be able to register for this program, however, involvement in the pastoral life of his/her parish or other ecclessial movements will be of great help.

Scholarship

To qualify, Hapag-Layko student scholars must be officially sent and supported by the Parish Priest. The application must be done by the Parish Priest or his delegate through a formal written request containing the names of the participants, their current parish involvement, and the program in which they will enroll. An Endorsement Letter from the Parish Priest must be given every semester during enrollment. This letter shall be emailed to svst_qc@yahoo.com or sent to:

The Scholarship Committee of Hapag-Layko,
St. Vincent School of Theology,
221 Tandang Sora Avenue, 1116 Quezon City

Priority is given to parishes with needed assistance and directed towards the building up of BECs, and whose Parish Priests are willing to support their leaders during and after the programs.

Other considerations:

1. Candidates for scholarship should be in a group of at least three (3) participants to be enrolled in the same program or module (no scholarship is given to an individual participant)
2. Candidates for scholarship must currently be handling specific responsibilities in their parish or small communities, or are chosen to take care of specific ministries after Hapag-Layko.

Coursework

• General Theology Lecture Series
  • All participants in Hapag-Layko take this program before any specific formation. It is open to all kinds of lay leaders. The lecture series has 9 sessions, from August to December. They deal with various topics on the Christian faith, which are explained through the Bible and in a contemporary, relevant way. The topics are God’s Revelation; the human person; Jesus and the Kingdom of God; the Church: call to communion and sent to mission; Mary and discipleship; Christian moral living; and the sacraments. After finishing the General Theology Lecture Series, participants will proceed to any of the three specific formation programs, according to their assigned responsibilities in their respective Christian communities.

   Areas of Specialization:

• Studies in Christian Theology (Course Pre-requisite: Completion of General Theology Lecture Series)
  • This is for lay people who are currently or who will be involved in Christian education in their parishes and small communities, such as speakers in evangelization seminars, lecturers in retreat/recollections, parish theology classes, facilitators of various formation programs, catechists, and Christian Living educators.
  • The program has 4 teaching modules: each module runs for 9 class meetings.
    • Doing Theology of Everyday Life
    • Doing Theology on the Human Person
    • Doing Theology on Jesus for Filipinos
    • Doing Theology with Catholic Social Teaching

• Training for Lay Liturgical Ministries (Course Pre-requisite: Completion of General Theology Lecture Series)
  • This program promotes Christian celebrations to be more meaningful with the full, conscious and active participation of the laity. Participants involved in liturgical animation (lay Eucharistic ministers, lectors, commentators, members of worship committees, and others) are encouraged to take all 4 modules: each module runs for 9 class meetings.
  • Four specific modules:
    • The Sacraments: History and Theology
    • Proclaiming the Word of God
    • Creative Liturgies and Rituals
    • Popular Devotions

• Training for Basic Ecclesial Communities (Course Pre-requisite: Completion of General Theology Lecture Series)
  • These 4 modules are for those directly involved or will be involved in the organization, formation, and training of basic ecclesial communities (BECs). They can be BEC organizers, coordinators, core groups, or pastoral formation teams. Each of the 4 modules has 9 class meetings.
  • Four specific modules:
    • Basic Organizing Process
    • The Bible and the Christian Community
    • Managing and Sustaining BECs
    • Theology and Spirituality of BECs

• Spirituality and the Laity (Course Pre-requisite: Completion of General Theology Lecture Series)
  • Over the years, the “Hapag-Layko Program” has made some significant strides in two inter-related aspects of pastoral formation (viz., sharing of knowledge and transfer of skills). The course seeks to fill in a perceived lacuna: the need for attitudes, values, symbols and even life-style consistent with the faith-life situation of lay people which can be summed up in the rubric “spirituality”.
  • Four specific modules:
    • General Introduction to Christian Spirituality
    • Lay Spirituality
    • Vincentian Spirituality
    • Marian Spirituality

Cooperation Agreement between  and St. Vincent School of Theology – Adamson University

This degree is offered in partnership with Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), one of the world’s top 50 universities, to enrich the theological and pastoral formation of persons for effective service to the Church and society. Joint courses shall be offered to qualified seminarians and religious people annually for their added knowledge. This program is exclusive to SVST student seminarians with high marks only, with a recommendation from their faculty member or administrator.

Short courses on Human Formation and Psychology are offered every semester by Fr. John V. Era, CM for seminarians, formators, spiritual directors, and the like. Areas of concentration may vary depending on the demand or interest.

Classes shall be held face-to-face.

• Develop key skills in accompaniment
• Master practical strategies to support your formands
• Strengthen your role in guiding the formation process

Sessions are held online and face-to-face. Registration opens every March. Courses begin every July.