Pontifical Oriental Institute

Eastern Canon Law

The Pontifical Oriental Institute is home to the only Catholic Faculty of Oriental Canon Law in the world.

The main area of work of this Faculty is the CCEO, which is the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Teaching and research also include the historical sources of the canons, the philosophy and theology of law, and the study of the various particular laws of the Churches sui iuris.

After completing the Bachelor's degree in Theology (first cycle), students are admitted to the Licentiate (D.C.O.L.).

After completing the Licentiate (second cycle), students can enroll in the Doctoral program (D.C.O.D.).

Those who are interested in deepening a specific topic or having a general knowledge of Eastern Canon Law can enroll in the Diploma in Eastern Canon Law.

By the end of the first semester of the first year of the Doctorate, the student must submit the doctoral thesis project, together with the form correctly completed and signed by the moderator.

The project is evaluated by a commission of at least three faculty members appointed by the Dean.

In addition, during the course of the first year of the Doctorate, the student must attend:

  • the courses prescribed for the third cycle;
  • the optional courses (a total of 7,5 ECTS, for students who have obtained the degree of Licentiate at the Pontifical Oriental Institute; a total of 15 ECTS, for students who have not obtained the degree of Licentiate at the Pontifical Oriental Institute).

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