Program Overview

Introduction to the Canon Law PhD Program

The Canon Law PhD program at Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law, is designed to provide advanced education and training in the field of canon law. The program aims to equip students with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of canon law, as well as the skills necessary to conduct original research and contribute to the development of the field.

Information on the Study Program

• Name of the study program: Canon Law
• Field of study: 30. Law/ISCED-F 0421 Law
• Cycle/level of qualification: third/ISCED 8
• Academic title: doctor (philosophiae doctor) (PhD.)
• Language: Slovak, English
• Form of study: full-time/part-time
• Code CRSP: /
• Code PraF UK AIS2: dKANP19/dKANPx19, dKANP19EN/dKANPx19EN
• Standard length of study: three years (full-time)/four years (part-time)
• Method of study: attendance method

Graduate Profile and Educational Goals

The graduate of the doctoral studies in the Canon Law program will master the methods of basic and applied research in legal sciences. They will be able to skillfully connect knowledge of canon law with general knowledge in the field of legal theory and other legal fields. The graduate will possess knowledge of the subject areas at the highest level and will be able to present them primarily in their publishing activities.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Analyze, synthesize, and compare relevant institutes of canon law with institutes of related legal branches.
• Use supporting scientific methods of research in scientific work and apply them to the norms of universal canon law and particular law.
• Assess the mutual relations, complementarity, and possible theoretical conflicts or inconsistencies in the practical application of canon law and secular law.
• Contribute to the further development of canon law on a particular and universal level.
• Apply the results of their own theoretical research in solving practical problems.
• Design, verify, and implement acquired knowledge to further develop known scientific knowledge.

Employment of Graduates

Graduates of the Canon Law PhD program find application primarily as pedagogues working at civil or church institutions providing education in the field of church law. They can be employed as highly qualified employees of institutions entering into relations with church institutions, such as state administration, diplomacy, or in the creation of confessional state legislation. In the church sphere, PhD graduates can work at the central level (in the judicial or administrative bodies of the Roman Curia) or at the particular level (ecclesiastical judiciary or administration).

Admission Requirements and Procedure

Conditions for admission to study at the Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law, are specified in ｧ 57 of Act no. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education Institutions and on Amendments to Certain Acts as amended. The rules of the admission procedure at Comenius University are outlined in internal regulation No. 4/2021.

Recommended Study Plan and Information Sheets

The faculty provides recommended study plans and information sheets for both full-time and part-time study. These documents outline the structure and content of the program, including the sequence of courses and the requirements for completion.

Study Programme Council

The Study Programme Council is responsible for overseeing the Canon Law PhD program. The council includes a guarantor, co-guarantor, members from the faculty, students, and an external member. The council meets regularly to discuss and decide on matters related to the program, including updates to the curriculum and evaluation of the study program.

Documents

• Meetings of the Study Program Council: Minutes from meetings are kept and published.
• Decisions: Decisions made by the Accreditation Council of the CU, FLAW, are documented and available.
• Framework agreement on cooperation with an external educational institution: Agreement details are available upon request.
• Descriptions of study programs and internal evaluation reports: These documents are maintained and updated regularly.

Application for Dissertation Examination

The application for dissertation examination must be filed by the student along with the required annexes, including a written thesis and a copy of the student's record book. The written thesis should include propositions, theoretical basis, current state of findings, and analysis of the methodological approach.

Dissertation

The dissertation requirements are stipulated in Internal Regulation No. 12/2013 (Directive of Rector of CU in Bratislava). The PhD student may submit a scientific work that has been published or a collection of their own scientific works focusing on the topic of the dissertation. The submission must include a detailed introduction explaining the current state of the researched issues, goals of the dissertation, and conclusions.

Conclusion

The Canon Law PhD program at Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law, offers a comprehensive and advanced education in canon law, preparing graduates for careers in academia, church institutions, and public service. With its rigorous academic standards and commitment to research excellence, the program contributes to the development of canon law and its application in various contexts.