Pontificia Università della Santa Croce

What you'll study

The specialization runs for two years, during which students attend courses and seminars totaling 90 ECTS and complete a written thesis. Subject areas explicitly mentioned include Church History, Patrology (Patristics), History of Theology and Christian Archaeology, together with practical skills for archive work and local-historical research.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Licentiate requires completion of the cycle of philosophy and theology. For the Doctorate in Theology with specialization in Church History, possession of the Licentiate is required. Diplomas in Church History have a lower-entry threshold: a three-year degree in humanities or a title from a Pontifical University or an Istituto di Scienze Religiose is sufficient.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to teach Church History, Patristics, History of Theology and Christian Archaeology in seminary-level and equivalent institutions. The programme also trains experts for diocesan roles such as archivists, local-hagiography researchers and authors of diocesan histories. The Doctorate pathway prepares candidates for faculty-level teaching.

Scholarships & funding angle

The source text does not list specific scholarships; prospective applicants should consult the university's funding offices, departmental contacts or alumni association for information about bursaries, assistantships or external funding opportunities.

Notes on diplomas

• Diplomas follow the same course structure as the specialization but do not require a thesis.
• Diploma offerings named in the source: "Dal Mediterraneo all'Europa: il cristianesimo antico e medievale" (one year, 36 ECTS), "Oltre l'Europa: il cristianesimo nel mondo moderno e contemporaneo" (one year, 36 ECTS), and "Dal Mediterraneo all'Europa e oltre: il cristianesimo dalla fondazione ai nostri giorni" (two years, 72 ECTS).