Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

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.

Course Load

  • Basic Courses (6 Units)
  • Core Philosophy Courses (9 Units)
  • Areas of Concentration (21 Units)
  • Foreign Languages (6 Units)
  • Dissertation (12 Units)

Comprehensive Examination

At the end of one’s coursework, the student shall take an oral comprehensive examination before proceeding to Dissertation Writing.

Publication

As per the CHED Memorandum Order No. 15, Series of 2019, all doctoral students must produce and publish at least one (1) research article/paper in a peer-reviewed journal prior to their final defense.

Public Defense

The final assessment for the Doctoral Program shall be a public defense. Pre-defense may be required for a thorough review of the submission.

Academic Pre-Requisites

An applicant must obtain a Master’s degree in Theology with thesis 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 and/or Master’s courses other than Theology shall have their credentials evaluated by the Dean or Director of Admissions.

See Requirements
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List of Courses

  • Methods in Theological Research
  • Advanced Scientific Research Methods

Any three of the following will be offered depending on the requirements of the students:

  • 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

*Concentration on Systematic Theology (any seven 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 seven 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

Any two of the following:

  • Latin
  • Biblical Greek
  • Hebrew
  • French
  • German

  • Seminar in Dissertation Writing
  • Dissertation Writing

Bridge Program

The Bridge Program is for qualified applicants with an MA in Theology/Pastoral Ministry/Ordained Ministry who still do not have an MA Thesis. They will be admitted to the PhD program with the condition that they will finish and defend a paper equivalent to an MA Thesis during their first year. Failure to complete this requirement would disqualify the student from the PhD Program.