under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

L.N. 148 of 2011

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Doctor of Sacred Theology - S.Th.D. – Course Regulations, 2011

under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5)

and 75 (6) of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the

University of Malta has promulgated the following regulations made by

the Senate of the University of Malta by virtue of the powers conferred

upon it by articles 75 and 79 of the said Act

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Doctor of Sacred Theology -

S.Th.D. – Course Regulations, 2011 under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires –

“the Board” means the Board of the Faculty of Theology;

“the Degree” means the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology – S.Th.D.;

“the Faculty” means the Faculty of Theology;

“the Ph.D. Regulations” means the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree

Regulations, 2008; and

“the Senate” means the Senate of the University of Malta.

Applicability

These regulations shall be applicable as from October 2010 onwards.

Eligibility for the Award of the Degree

To be eligible for the award of the Degree students must

(a) submit a thesis showing that they are capable of undertaking scientific

research and containing an original contribution to theological sciences;

(b) successfully defend their thesis orally in public;

(c) publish their thesis in whole or in part; and

(d) satisfy any other requirements prescribed in any other relevant Statutes,

Regulations and Bye-Laws of the University.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants for the Degree shall be in possession of the degree of

Licentiate in Sacred Theology – S.Th.L. - with at least Pass with Merit or a degree

or other qualification considered by the Senate as its equivalent on the

recommendation of the Board.

Applicants shall normally be required to have a thorough reading

knowledge of languages of primary and secondary sources.

Areas of Study

The main area of study shall be an area of Theology or a related area.

Registration for the Degree

Applications for registration for the Degree shall be accepted by Senate,

on the recommendations of the Faculty Doctoral Committee and of the Ph.D. Sub-

Committee appointed by Senate, in terms of the Ph.D. Regulations, under those

conditions as Senate deems fit to impose.

Duration of Studies

(1) The thesis shall be presented within a period of not less than three and

not more than six years from the date of approval of its subject by the Senate. Such

period may, in special circumstances, be extended by Senate, if, on the

recommendation of the Board, Senate deems it so appropriate.

(2) On the recommendation of the Board and the Ph.D. Sub-Committee,

Senate may grant students an extension of studies of up to two years in order to

enable them to complete their studies, irrespective of whether they are registered on

a full-time or a part-time basis.

Faculty Doctoral Committee

The Faculty Doctoral Committee appointed for the degree of Doctor of

Philosophy of the Faculty of Theology in terms of the Ph.D. Regulations, shall

consider applications for the Degree and shall make its recommendations to Senate,

through the Ph.D. Sub-Committee.

Supervision and Students’ Progress

Senate shall, on the recommendation of the Board, after approval of the

subject of the thesis, appoint a principal supervisor, who shall normally be a member

of the permanent teaching staff of the Faculty, to direct and supervise the work of

the student.

Principal supervisors shall be required to submit a written report to the

Board, through the Faculty Doctoral Committee, every June for all students under

their supervision.

Students shall only be allowed to proceed with their studies subject to

satisfactory progress reports from their principal supervisor. If the report is

negative, the Board shall make recommendations to Senate on the student’s

continuing registration for the Degree.

Students registered at the Faculty may be required to participate in the

Faculty’s research and teaching programmes.

Board of Examiners

A Board of Examiners, composed of a chairperson, an external examiner

and two other examiners, shall be appointed by Senate, on the recommendation of

the Board.

Thesis Presentation and Format

Students shall be required to inform the Faculty that they will be

submitting their thesis for examination not less than three months before the

submission deadline.

The Board shall approve and publish guidelines on the format and

presentation of the thesis for the Degree.

(1) Students shall be required to submit a loose bound copy of their

thesis for each member of the Board of Examiners, together with a copy in digital

format. The officer in charge of the Faculty shall issue a dated receipt.

(2) On successful completion of their studies, students shall be required

to submit to the Faculty three hard bound copies of the thesis and one copy in digital

format within six weeks from the publication of their result. One copy of the thesis

shall be kept in the Library of the department and another at the University Library.

Students who do not comply with this bye-law shall not be awarded the Degree.

Classification and Publication of Results

The names of students whose thesis has been accepted and who have

been successful in its public defence shall be published in a list in alphabetical order

classified as follows

Pass with Distinction (Summa Cum Laude)

Pass with Merit (Magna Cum Laude)

Pass (Bene Probatus).

A student who fails to satisfy the Board of Examiners in the public

defence may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and with the permission of

the Board, be re-examined orally within a period of six months. Such permission

shall be granted once only.

General Provision

In matters not provided for by these regulations, the Board shall be

guided by the provisions of the Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. - Degree Regulations,

2008, published as Legal Notice 293 of 2008, as applicable.

Repeal

The Regulations of 1994 for the degree of Sacrae Theologiae Doctor -

S.Th.D. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology, published as Legal Notice

31 of 1994, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 1st October 2010,

provided that students registered for this degree before 1st October 2010 shall

continue to be governed by the regulations that were in force at the time of their

registering for the degree.

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