Master’s Program in Theology / Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology
Catholic theology is a 2,000-year-old academic discipline. The Master’s Program in Theology (Department of Theology) is the basic and central research field of Catholic theology, and also focuses on the importance of dialogue with other ideas, cultures, and religions from a global perspective.
The department offers four courses to meet the various interests and needs of students, as follows – 1) Systematic Theology Course: Aims at the systematic study of Catholic theology, including the training of priests in the Catholic Church. 2) Biblical Theology Course 3) Christian Education Course (formerly Christian Ethics and Culture Course): Studies practical pastoral care founded on basic theological theory. 4) Mission Practitioner Course: Aims to train those who will be involved in the field of service in the church. Students who meet the requirements can earn a master’s degree within the period of one year.
Curriculum
In the Master of Theology program, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits, write a thesis, and pass the comprehensive examination to receive the degree of Master of Theology. Our Systematic Theology Course is approved by the Pontifical Council for the conferral of degrees, in which students can obtain the STB (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureatus) and STL (Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus) after passing the examination. These are degrees common to all Catholic Churches around the world.
In the doctoral program (Department of Systematic Theology), we encourage students to pursue unique research themes, and a dissertation is required as the result of that research. The main objective is to train researchers, but at the same time, we value the cultivation of qualified personnel who can contribute to the church and society at large.
Granted Degree
- Master’s Program: MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY
- Doctoral Program: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THEOLOGY
Available Teaching Licenses and Subjects
- Junior High School Specialized Teacher (Religion and Social Studies)
- High School Specialized Teacher (Religion and Civics)
*Only Master’s degree programs are eligible for a teacher’s license. If you wish to obtain a teacher’s license, a Type 1 license should already have been obtained or the requirements for obtaining a Type 1 license should have been fulfilled in advance for the subjects you wish to be licensed in. Otherwise, it is not possible.
Program Features
STB and STL Degrees
The Systematic Theology Course offers the STB and STL degrees common to the Catholic Church worldwide.
M.Bib and M.Div. Degrees
The Biblical Theology Course offers the degree of M. Bib (Master of Biblical Studies) and the Christian Education Course offers the degree of M. Div (Master of Divinity).
Certificate of Completion for the Missionary Practitioner Course
A certificate of completion can be obtained in the same way as the above courses.
Establishment of Japanese Theology
The Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology aims to establish a unique theology through research on Catholic theology developed in the Western world and through dialogue with Japanese philosophy and culture.
Selected Thesis Topics
- A Study on the Introduction of the Mass Liturgy to 17th Century China- Focusing on Alenia’s “Mí chè Jìyí”
- “Creation” and “The Kingdom of God” in The Chronicles of Narnia –A Study of Augustine’s Influence
- The Resurrection of Christ, the Mystery of Salvation
- Joseph Ratzinger’s Understanding of Revelation –the Fundamental Principle of the “Persona Dialogue” between God and Man as “I” and “Thou”
- The Immaculate Conception as the Image of the Trinity: A Study on the Modern Interpretation of the Doctrine
- Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on “The Joy of Love” – Possibilities and Limitations of the Contemporary Catholic Church’s Understanding of the Family and Marriage through Comparison and Analysis of the 2014 Third Extraordinary General Synod, the 2015 Fourteenth Ordinary General Synod, and the Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy of Love”
- Structural Analysis of Liturgical Texts (Recitative) –Descending and Ascending Structures
- Analysis of the Possibilities of Romano Guardini’s Christian Anthropology- “Light” that Looks at the Man and the World in which He Lives
- A Comparative Study of the Apostolic Visitation and Doctrinal Assessment of LCWR by The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for Nuns in the U.S. –A Discussion of the Theological Context of the Two Surveys and Their Impact on the consecrated Lives of Women in the United States.
- Faith through Objects in Latin American Catholic Countries: True Faith through the “Sensible and Approachable Symbols”
- Tales of Jesus Christ to Children – Through C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia”
- Rethinking “Hope” in Contemporary Japan: Theological Foundations and Practical Accompaniment
Educational Policy
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Department of Theology (Master’s Program)
The Master’s Program in Theology sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass their thesis defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.
- Conducting basic and focused research on theology and with a global perspective, the ability to be mindful of the
importance of dialogue with other ideologies, cultures and religions.
The individual qualities required by each course are provided below:
a.Systematic theology program: in addition to fostering Catholic priests, the ability to conduct research on
systematic Catholic theology
b.Biblical theology program: the ability to conduct research on methodologies for biblical studies
c.Christian education program: the ability to conduct research on pastoral practice based on basic theological theory
d.Missionary program: the capabilities of human resources who will provide services in church.
- The ability to write convincing academic papers with precise structure and consistent, uniform reasoning, in preparation for the master’s thesis and research report on the subject
Department of Systematic Theology (Doctoral Program)
The Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass their dissertation defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma. Those who have met the relevant requirements may also be conferred an STD (Sacrae Theologiae Doctor) degree.
- The ability to address one’s research theme from a unique perspective while taking into account the basics of Catholic theology and to present it logically and constructively
- The ability to conduct research on Western traditions of Catholic theology and to pursue the establishment of a personal understanding of theology through dialogue with Japanese ideologies and culture.
- The ability to write unique, sophisticated academic papers with precise structure and consistent, uniform reasoning, based on a good understanding of past research, in the preparation for the doctoral thesis
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Department of Theology (Master’s Program)
In accordance with the diploma policy, the Master’s Program in Theology constructs its curriculum as follows:
- Based on the traditions of Catholic theology comprehensively and extensively offer specialized courses on Christianity.
- Offer courses in dogmatic theology, history of the church, Christian education, Christian literature, biblical theology, exegesis, moral theology, church law, ritual Christianity, spiritual Christianity, and literature studies in Greek and Hebrew.
- With an aim to pursue the expertise of basic studies, offer a Structural Theology Course, Biblical Theology Course, Christian Education Course, and Practical Missionary Course.
Department of Systematic Theology (Doctoral Program)
In accordance with the diploma policy, the Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology constructs its curriculum as follows:
- The curriculum comprises research guidance and educational training. Research guidance involves guidance by
one’s research advisor in compiling the dissertation and presenting research at academic meetings. Educational training is provided in the form of practical training in lectures and seminars taught by Graduate School faculty members that the research advisor or Graduate School Chairperson has acknowledged to be appropriate.
- Offer courses in Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies, Practical Theology, and Christian Culture.
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Department of Theology (Master’s Program)
The Master’s Program in Theology seeks students with the following qualities:
1 . Students who have acquired the basics of Catholic theology, as well as logical thinking and writing skills
2 . Students with language skills in English and other languages relevant to their disciplinary
specialty who are open to different cultures and internationality
3 . Students who properly acknowledge human dignity and basic human rights, and are enthusiastic about understanding and practicing social justice.
Department of Systematic Theology (Doctoral Program)
The Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology seeks students with the following qualities:
1 . Students who can creatively approach their research theme, develop it logically and extensively, and present it internationally
2 . Students who have basic philosophical grounding as well as high language skills in English and other languages related to their theme
3 . Students who can present and contribute through their research, Christian values and meaning to wider society, not limited to the Catholic world.
Faculty Members
Juan Carlos HAIDAR Professor
Haruhi KATAYAMA Professor
Chung-Mo Mark KOO Professor
Hideyuki KOYAMA Professor
Osamu TAKEUCHI Professor
Ichiro MITSUNOBU Professor
Hiroko MORI Professor
Yuji SUGAWARA Project Professor
Yuichi TSUNODA Associate Professor
Antonius FIRMANSYAH Assistant Professor