The Catholic University of America

Doctorate in Canon Law

Residence

The residency requirement for the Third Cycle is one year, or two semesters. The actual time necessary to complete the requirements of the degree program usually extends to three or four semesters, chiefly dependent on the time needed to complete the dissertation (below). Continuous enrollment is required unless an authorized leave of absence is granted for very serious reasons; such a leave cannot be longer than a maximum of four semesters.

Course Work

During this cycle, the candidate is to be registered for dissertation guidance every semester and is to complete four courses or seminars.

Dissertation

The candidate must submit a written dissertation to the faculty, reflecting a level of research expected of Ph.D. candidates. The candidate must defend the dissertation in a public examination on the dissertation and on 10 theses closely related to it or subjects of special study. If the dissertation is approved, the specified number of printed copies must be deposited in the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies or, if the candidate elects another method of publication approved by the Academic Senate, the requirements prescribed by the Academic Senate for publication must be fulfilled.