General Description
During the first three years of life in Rome, students are enrolled in theological studies resulting in a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology (STB). This is called the “first cycle”. In the fourth year, students begin the “second cycle” program of study, which involves more concentrated study of a particular area. Second cycle usually leads to a License or Master’s degree. Second cycle extends from one to three years, depending on the degree, area of theology, and university chosen. Second cycle studies are offered at a number of pontifical universities and institutes in Rome. The choice of a first-cycle program does not determine what will be studied in second cycle.
Registration for the first cycle is in September. North American College students are assigned by their diocese to attend the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (known as “the Angelicum”), the Pontifical Gregorian University, or the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (known as “Santa Croce”), all of which are located in the city, about a half an hour to 45 minutes walk from the College. One should discuss the matter with the diocesan superiors and have selected a university before departing for Rome.
These Universities follow a similar core program and have an international faculty and student body. The universities are distinguishable, however, on the basis of size, language, pedagogical style, and, to some extent, theological method.
Philosophy Pre-requisites:
For admission to First Cycle Theology at any of the pontifical universities, a Ph.B. (approx. 70 credits in philosophy) is the norm. They will accept Americans and Australians who come with at least 30 credits in Philosophy (as long as ALL TEN required areas have been covered by an appropriate course — ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, natural theology (philosophy of God) , anthropology (philosophy of the human person/nature); plus the four areas of the history of philosophy: ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary. Coverage of these ten specific areas is non-negotiable although it may be possible for a student to make up a missing course concurrent with his theological studies. If you have any questions about the philosophy requirements, please contact the Academic Dean, Rev. Joseph Betschart, at jbetschart@pnac.org.
Latin & Biblical Greek
Both the Angelicum and Gregorian Universities will generally accept prior credit in Latin (must be one year/two semesters for college courses, or two years/four semesters for high school courses). The Angelicum will also generally accept credits in Biblical Greek, but at the Gregorian the student must test out of Greek or simply take the course. Previous Latin and Greek studies will be accepted on a case by case basis at Santa Croce at the discretion of the university dean.
Italian
The Gregorian also tests all new, non-native Italian speakers on their proficiency in the Italian language. Following EU requirements, a student must test at a B1 Level of proficiency in the language a course is being taught in, i.e., Italian. This testing takes place during the first semester. Those who do not pass the test will be required to take additional language studies before taking the test again. Students at the Angelicum whose first language is not English or Italian must also take a language proficiency test, generally scheduled during the first semester; those who do not pass the test will have to attend a language course. Although Santa Croce does not currently test students for Italian proficiency during the first cycle program, they do at the beginning of second cycle.
NAC is providing all New Men with Italian Language courses in September, and even prior to that will arrange a 4-week Italian program for interested incoming seminarians in Assisi or elsewhere, starting around July 27. To arrive at the required B1 Level of proficiency, usually requires an average of 250 hours of formal study, so all students who will be enrolling in an Italian language theology program are encouraged to study Italian prior to the September workshop if at all possible. Further information is available on the Learning Italian page.
The Angelicum
The Angelicum is the university of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). A semester usually consists of an average of 20 credit hours divided between six to eight courses. The first cycle classes are conducted in either English or Italian, depending on the student’s preference. Class size is relatively small with approximately 40-50 students in attendance. (Seminars in the second and third years usually involve fewer than a dozen students.) While classes normally follow a lecture format, comments and questions from students are encouraged. A student’s progress is evaluated by means of either a written or an oral examination at the conclusion of the term; some professors also administer examinations or assign term papers during the semester. In addition to exams, some professors assign term papers as part of the student’s grade for the course.
At the Angelicum, an attempt is made in the first cycle to confront and analyze the questions posed explicitly or implicitly by the Second Vatican Council and the theological reflections which it has prompted. Thomistic theology, and its relationship with both classical and modern issues, is at the heart of this exploration.
The Angelicum’s website: www.angelicum.org
Academic Preview:
ADMISSION
The requirements for admission to the First Cycle are as follows:
- A secondary-school (“high school”) diploma which would qualify the applicant for admission to a college or university in his or her own country;
- Successful completion of two years of university-level study in philosophy, including courses in Logic, Epistemology, Philosophical Psychology (Philosophy of the Human Person, Philosophical Anthropology), Philosophy of Nature, Ethics (Moral Philosophy), Metaphysics, and the History of Philosophy;
- A knowledge of the elements of form and syntax of Latin.
- A sufficient knowledge of English or Italian; students whose mother tongue is neither English nor Italian will have to undergo a language proficiency test
PLAN OF STUDY
In the three-year baccalaureate cycle, a general and organic exposition of Catholic theology is offered in the form of courses and seminars.
- The principal subjects of the courses are as follows:
- Scripture: a general Introduction course, and eight additional courses concentrating on different parts of the Old Testament (historical books, prophets, wisdom literature) and the New Testament (Synoptic Gospels, Pauline letters, Johannine writings, Acts of the Apostles, and Catholic Epistles).
- Dogmatic Theology: two initial courses in fundamental theology __ Introduction to Theology and Theological Method, and Theology of Revelation __ followed by specialized courses offering a systematic exploration of the mystery of salvation in three phases, according to the theological vision of St. Thomas’ Summa Theologiae:
- its origin: the mystery of God, the beginning and end of the whole order of salvation;
- its historic center: the mystery of Christ and of the Church __ Christology, Mariology, Ecclesiology;
- its eschatological intentionality: the full revelation of Christ’s glory at the Parousia, and its anticipation meanwhile in the sacramental life of the Church whereby Christ remains a vivifying presence to his members.
- Moral Theology and Spirituality: initial courses in fundamental moral theology and spiritual theology, followed by specialized courses on grace, the theological and moral virtues, and contemporary issues especially in the realm of social justice.
- Positive Theology: this category includes subjects which constitute additional “sources” of theology (patrology, Christian archaeology, church history) and applications of theology to church life (liturgy, pastoral theology, canon law).
- The auxiliary subjects are New Testament Greek, and biblical Hebrew.
- In addition, students are required during their second and third years to take four seminars which acquaint them with a variety of special contemporary problems in theology, and which also serve as a practical initiation into scientific theological work, and two optional courses.
ATTAINMENT OF THE DEGREE
A cumulative average of 6/10 in the courses and seminars of the three-year institutional cycle is required for the baccalaureate degree. Since admission to the Second Cycle is granted to Students who have achieved an 8/10 average in the courses, Students who have not attained this average may be offered the opportunity to qualify for the degree by means of a supplementary examination, at the discretion of the Dean.
(This academic preview information taken from the university’s Presentation | First Cycle – Bacculariate page.)
The Gregorian
The Gregorian is the university of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). A semester usually consists of 20 credit hours divided between four or five lecture courses and a seminar. The first-cycle classes are conducted in Italian. Class size is relatively large with approximately 150-200 students in attendance. Classes follow a lecture format. Questions are usually not taken during class and students are encouraged to ask questions before or after class or at some other suitable time outside of class. Students are graded by means of either oral or written examinations administered at the conclusion of the term (these may be taken in a number of different languages, including English). The seminar course, however, is available in English and in the first year is conducted at the NAC. The first year seminar develops many of the themes that are being taught in class and is a general overview of theology. Seminars involve regular written assignments to determine the student’s grade for the course.
At the Gregorian an attempt is made in the first cycle to present an organic vision of Revelation and a solid knowledge of the full range of the issues of theology. Theological developments and expressions of the Magisterium are analyzed with a methodological emphasis on Scripture in respect to the particular matter being treated: Christ – the Fullness of Revelation (first year); the Church, the Sacrament of Christ (second year); and Humanity in Christ (third year).
The Gregorian’s website: www.unigre.it
Academic Preview:
Structure of the first cycle.
The main objective of the first cycle is to present a systematic outline of the Revelation and a solid knowledge of the general problems of theology. The program of the studies is divided into three different steps. During the first year it is centered on the person of Christ, fullness of the Revelation of the Father, who takes on our condition and announces the Spirit to us. In the second year the studies are centered on the mystery of the Church and on the Sacraments; during the third, the accent is placed on the assumption of man into the fullness of God. The first step, then, is mostly Christological, the second ecclesiological, the third, anthropological, but each one is closely connected to the others in the perspective of the only mystery of salvation in Jesus Christ. The University admits the usage of six languages (Italian, French, English, German, Spanish and Latin) for written exams and essays; as for the oral exams, the examiners and the students may agree on the easiest language for both of them. Seminars are offered in Italian, French, English, German and Spanish.
Santa Croce
The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce) is operated by Opus Dei. The courses of the first cycle aim at presenting an organic exposition of all of the Catholic Doctrine, along with an introduction to the method of scientific research. The first cycle program, leading to the completion of the STB degree, has a duration of three academic years divided into semesters, and is concluded with the comprehensive degree exams. Each semester, students take six to seven classes totaling 20 credit hours. The classes are taught in Italian, although many of the professors also speak English. Classes are relatively small in size, approximately 40-60 students, and generally follow a lecture format with some student-professor interaction depending on the professor. Students are graded based on oral or written exams administered at the end of the term, although some courses also have periodic midterm exams or other course work.
Santa Croce’s web site: www.pusc.it
Prerequisites and Dispensations
The College conforms to the Philosophy requirements as presented in the USCCB’s Program for Priestly Formation.
Because of the many challenges that one can face in the first semester, it is best to fulfill all of the prerequisites for the College and for the universities prior to coming to Rome. Although provision can be made for students that have less philosophy than is required, it is highly recommended that candidates arrive with these requirements in place as taking philosophy concomitantly with their theological courses during their first semesters often creates a very hectic schedule. If at all possible, one should enroll in summer courses to fulfill any missing course requirements.
Certain first cycle courses may allow for a dispensation if it can be demonstrated to the university dean that the material has been covered in previous courses. These dispensations are generally requested at the time of registration for the whole three year period of the first cycle. A transcript alone is generally inadequate. Course outlines, bibliographies, and descriptions, such as provided in course catalogues, are usually necessary if the dispensation is to be obtained. Students should ensure that they bring this information if planning to be dispensed from certain university courses. Students should be aware that dispensations are generally not given based on previous undergraduate theology or religious studies courses – equivalent graduate level courses are normally required – and in some cases, particularly at the Gregorian, students may be asked to take an additional philosophy course if dispensed from a theology course, although in such cases a student would still have the option of taking the theology course in question and not accepting the dispensation. Students who have completed significant theology studies prior to coming to Rome, e.g., a year or more, may be eligible for advanced standing at the Roman universities. However, such placement is at the discretion of the university dean and because of the course load and other differences, a year of theology study in the US, if accepted, will generally result in a dispensation of about one semester’s worth of classes; two years of previous study are generally required for entry into second year at the university. Regardless of the number of courses dispensed, in order to receive the STB degree, Roman universities generally require that the student complete at least one year of study at the Roman university granting the degree.
Students who have not had at least one year of Greek and one year of Latin are required to take a full-year course of each of those languages concomitantly with their theological studies. Although the Angelicum may dispense students from these language requirements when the student produces an official transcript, the Gregorian University requires all students to take a rather comprehensive and intense exam in order to be dispensed from the Greek language requirement. The text of the exam is written in Italian, English, French and Spanish and the answer can be written in the same languages. The aim of this exam is to establish the level of knowledge of the language; depending on the results, the student can be exempted for one or both first cycle obligatory courses; if the third or the fourth level is also reached, the student can be exempted for the courses of the II cycle, in case he/she decides to enter for the Licentiate in Biblical Theology. The test is quite difficult and those who would like to prepare for it during the summer are advised to review Koiné Greek, focusing especially on biblical passages. The Gregorian also has a practice Greek test available on their website. The Gregorian will generally dispense those students who have taken at least one year of Latin and who can produce an official transcript testifying to this fact.
If you have any questions regarding the fulfillment of any of these requirements, please contact the Academic Dean as soon as possible. Students should be aware that the above mentioned philosophy and Latin credits are prerequisites. Students arriving without having all of these requirements fulfilled may encounter significant difficulties when applying to the Roman universities. Even though supplemental courses are offered in some cases here in Rome, these courses can take substantial time away from intended theological studies.
For more information, please see the Intellectual Formation page.
Updated 19 March 2010
