Doctorate
Objective
The main objective of the Doctoral Program in Theology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is to carry out scientific research that will result in the elaboration of a doctoral thesis, of high scientific level that constitutes an advance in one of the theological disciplines (Article 2 of the Program Regulations).
Granted Degree:
Doctor in Thelogy
Cost of the program:
Yearly tuition*: $4.794.000
Admission fee: $0
Duration of the Program:
Eight semesters
The final grade for the Ph.D. must be at least 4.0. To obtain the degree, the partial or total publication of the thesis or of an article summarizing the substance of the thesis is also required.
The graduate of the Doctorate in Theology program is able to position himself in the scientific community with a good command of a scientific research method proper to theology - verified through the development of a thesis - which implies mastery of the sources of theology and a solid historical perspective, as well as hermeneutic and philosophically critical. With these skills and from their disciplinary identity, graduates are able to communicate their knowledge adequately in the national and international scientific community, as well as to respond to the challenges and questions that the social, cultural and ecclesial context poses to the faith.
The program for the Doctorate in Theology and the faculty members research and teach about the different theological disciplines. Doctoral candidates are free to choose their research topic. Nevertheless, the Faculty has favored three lines of research during the last two decades that have distinguished the institution in the Latin American context:
- Systematic or dogmatic theology Research on the reception of the Second Vatican Council in Latin America, and on the development of a theology of the signs of the times, with close ties to an international project and to the Manuel Larrain Theological Center. 2. Professors and doctoral students of the area are participating in the Edith Stein Study Center; they have researched and published, as well as done doctoral theses on the thought of this philosopher and mystic. 3. Research that delves into the theology of important figures, such as Hans von Balthasar, which has resulted in books, articles, and courses given in the different programs of the Faculty. Finally, research on the topic of ecumenism in Chile and Latin America, resulting in an International Congress and some publications of articles, as well as a recently published book.
- Patristic theology It has led the Faculty to become a Latin American reference in this field. The line of research in patristic theology has as its primary object of study the Christian texts of the first centuries, that is, from the second to the sixth century. Its perspective is theological and seeks to historically reconstruct the development of Christian theology. Because of its historical nature, patristics is in close dialogue with philology, the history of philosophy, literature and culture in general, and more recently with the social sciences. With these disciplines it shares the object of study (texts) and differs in having a theological perspective.
- Fundamental theology He emphasizes interdisciplinary dialogue and contemporary theological issues. It is worth mentioning research on faith and cultures, contextual theologies, popular religion, theology and art, theology and literature, theology of religions, etc., all of which has led to doctoral theses, the creation of the Center for the Study of Religion in alliance with other faculties of the University, and the design of a new Doctorate in Religious Studies.
The final grade for the Doctorate in Theology is calculated according to the following scale:
- Average grades from every qualified academic activity on the program: 30%.
- Written thesis grade: 60%.
- Thesis public defense grade: 10%
The final grade of the Doctorate must be at least 4.0. To obtain the Degree, it is necessary to publish, partially or completely, the thesis or an article providing a fundamental summary of it.
Admission
The Postgraduate Director will interview the applicant and will provide the requirements for admission, within the dates established for each initial season for the Doctorate program.
The selection process will be performed by the Postgraduate Committee, who will assess the information of each applicant according to academic criteria and the requirements of the program, after the personal interview with the doctorate program director.
The applicant will receive a letter informing if their application was accepted or rejected.
Accepted applicants can enroll in the doctorate program and become regular students.
Students who do not have a certificate proving mastery of English for the level required by the UC Doctoral Programs School must take an exam to assess their mastery of the language, and then enroll in the specified courses to achieve the competencies required for the doctorate level.
The requirements to apply are as follows:
a) Having a grade higher than 5.5 (or equivalent) the academic degree of Bachelor in Theology (equivalent to a Master's degree), granted by a Faculty of Theology canonically established or equivalent, according to the decision of the Postgraduate Committee.
b) Certificates and transcripts from previous academic degrees, curriculum vitae et studiorum, and a list of scientific publications.
c) A letter from the applicant expressing their motivations to enroll in the program, and their commitment to the time dedication required to study the program.
d) Letter from a faculty member of the program supporting the application and accepting, in a first instance, to be the thesis director of the applicant.
e) Two recommendation letters from academics from any university, national or foreign.
f) As for priests and followers, a letter of a higher member of the church endorsing their application to the program.
g) Demonstrate, before the director of the program, the following linguistic competencies: a) instrumental use of biblical Latin and Greek; b) English reading comprehension; and c) understanding of any other modern language between French, German, and Italian.
Contact
Interim Postgraduate Director 2023-2: Federico Aguirre
Student affairs coordinator, María-Paz Fuentes