In order to begin Third (Doctoral) Cycle studies, the student must be in possession of the Licentiate degree "in Canon Law" and the candidate, in the judgment of the School, must be considered capable of writing and defending a doctoral dissertation. The Doctoral Cycle requires participation in the courses which the School organizes for this purpose during the months of September and October. In these courses, various topics are treated; there will always be one course focusing on methodology and techniques of research in canon law.

Once the doctoral courses have been passed, the student must write an original dissertation and defend it before a tribunal. The actual awarding of the Doctoral degree requires that this dissertation be published, at least in substantial part (The School aids the student in fulfilling this requirement by means of the possibility of publishing —provided that the dissertation tribunal is in agreement— an extract of the Doctoral Thesis in the Cuadernos Doctorales).

Doctoral Class Schedule