The Institute has been granted affiliation with the Theological Faculty (No. 164/99) of the Pontifical Urbaniana University by Decrees of the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education.
A student who has completed the first four semesters of Theology with an average of at least 75%, and has written an essay of around 30 pages, and who has also completed the required number of core courses, elective courses and seminars, can be admitted to sit for the Bachelor Degree examination. In the case that a BA candidate receives a grade less than 70 in either the written or the oral portion of the BA exam, he/she is to repeat that portion of the BA Exam. This repetition is to take place in about one month following the regular scheduled BA Exam. Should the BA candidate again receive a grade less than 70 in the re-sit exam, he/she will be required to repeat the entire year in order to be eligible to re-sit for the BA Exam again. Only BA Exams with a grade of 70 and greater in both portions of the BA Exam are to be forwarded to the Urbaniana University in Rome. Students not receiving the required minimum grade of 70 or better in both portions of the BA Exam will not be able to obtain the BA degree.
A student seeking the Bachelor of theology is obliged
to take one semester of Biblical Greek and Biblical Hebrew and obtain at least a pass grade;
to pay the fees required for the Bachelor examination.
A degree student should not fail two or more compulsory courses per academic year (see G. Academic Assessment no. 14).
NB. Those who do not fulfil the requirements to sit for the Bachelor Degree exam may take the written and oral comprehensive exams only.
Revelation and inspiration of Sacred Scripture in the light of Dei Verbum (cc. I-III); formation of the Canon; interpretation of the text.
Questions concerning the Pentateuch and new orientations of modern criticism; theology of Exodus. Historical books and their literary genre: composition and theology.
The function and message of the Prophets. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel: composition and theology.
The Wisdom Books and their literary genres; the Book of Psalms; Messianic and Christological "re-interpretations", liturgical and spiritual use.
The apostolic origin and historical value of the Gospels according to "Sancta Mater Ecclesia" (1964) and "Dei Verbum" (1965). Contents, articulation and the theology of the three Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Presentation and commentary on selected texts.
Content, articulation and theology of the five writings of St. John. Presentation and commentary on selected texts.
Content, articulation and theology of the Letters to the Romans, Galatians, 1/2 Corinthians, Colossians and Ephesians. Circumstances of the writing of 1/2 Thessalonians, Philippians, Philemon and Pastoral Letters. Presentation and commentary on selected texts.
Content and articulation of the Letter to the Hebrews and its theology of the Priesthood of Christ. Contents and circumstances of the writing of 1/2 Peter and James. Presentation and commentary on selected texts.
Explanation, on the basis of the New Testament, of how Jesus established the Kingdom of God through his words and actions, how He revealed the Father and Himself, and how He fulfilled His work through His Death, Resurrection, Ascension and the mission of the Holy Spirit.
The images by which the Church of Christ is illustrated in the Holy Scriptures and in Tradition: the nature and characteristic signs of the Church.
The principles and orientations of the ecumenical action of the Church.
The royal, prophetic and priestly office of all the faithful and the ministerial priesthood (Sacrament of Holy Orders). The relationship between the collegiality of bishops and the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff.
The Church has received the mission to evangelise all peoples. Principles and orientations for dialogue with religions and cultures and for relationships with civil societies.
The importance of the Fathers of the Church in the study of theology and in the understanding of faith: debate on the Trinity, Christology and Soteriology in the early ecumenical Councils.
The spread of Christianity in the early centuries. The presence of the Church during the period of the barbarian invasions and the missionary activity of the monks. The evangelisation of the Americas, the foundation of "Propaganda Fide" and the new missionary course. Missionary activity in the XX Century.
The nature, function and fundamental principles of Canon Law in the Church. Reference to the most important contents of the various books of the Code.
The truth of the One God: how all human beings are able to intuit the certainty of this truth through the light of reason; how evidence of this can be found in the spiritual experience of different religions and peoples; and how finally this truth was arrived at from the complete revelation of the same living God in Salvation History. Wherever appropriate sketch a plan of responses to the objections of atheism.
The dogma of the Holy Trinity: how it is already foreshadowed in the economy of the Old Testament; how it is fully revealed in the New Testament; which principal Councils defined its essential elements; which could be the most common and acceptable theological explanations.
The doctrine of the creation of all things by God, the nature and role of spiritual and material beings, of human beings and the doctrine of the constant Providence of God according to Revelation in the Holy Scriptures and in the Tradition of the Church. Wherever appropriate outline a plan of responses to so-called scientific objections and the problem of evil in the world.
The dogma of Original Sin; in conformity with the data of the Sacred Scriptures, of the definitions of the Magisterium and of the most common and acceptable theological explanations; illustrate the doctrine of free will and human responsibility.
The doctrine of the grace of God, with reference to the mystery of Redemption and the gift of the Holy Spirit; add a summary sketch of the principal disputes concerning grace which have taken place in the course of Church history.
The event of the Incarnation, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ Son of God. Show the principle elements of the Christological mystery in the dogmatic formulations of the relevant Church councils.
The doctrine concerning the Virgin Mary as Mother of God and Mother of the Church, making reference to Council definitions and to the most recent documents of the Magisterium.
The traditional doctrine of the Church regarding the coming of Christ in glory and the fundamental points of Eschatology regarding both the single person as well as the entire creation.
The nature and effects of the Sacraments in general, and in particular the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, especially the Eucharist.
Principles which illustrate the theological meaning and pastoral value of the Liturgy as the action of Christ praising God and sanctifying people; and how the action of the Church, through tangible signs, announces and brings into being the Mystery of Christ.
The moral qualification which characterises every human act finds its "origin" in the object, end and circumstances, including the foreseeable consequences. Conditions of the imputability of human actions. Conscience and the principles for the judgement of conscience which make it the correct norm governing human action. The formation of conscience. Natural law, and positive human divine law. The behaviour of the faithful required by the Magisterium of the Church.
Virtue and sin (nature, kind and dimensions) in Christian life. The conversion of the sinner and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Moral responsibility regarding human life and its integrity both as regards one's own life as well as the life of others. Particular reference to the moral problems connected to the beginning and end of human life, with health care and medical interventions.
Human sexuality, the virtue of chastity, the Sacrament of Marriage. The solution of moral problems regarding sexuality in general and conjugal life in particular, keeping in mind also the indications of Canon Law.
Social Doctrine of the Church; the relationship between charity and justice, obligations to guarantee and favour peace.