Divinity - Baccalaureate
The Baccalaureate in Divinity (BD, but also known as the STB) aims to provide a theological education suited particularly, but not exclusively, to those intending to work in Christian ministries; it meets the requirements of academic formation for ordination to priesthood in the Catholic church, while also building a foundation for further study in theology.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Pontifical University Maynooth |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor | Pontifical University Maynooth |
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry Requirements
1. In order to register for courses leading to the Degree of Baccalaureate in Divinity (BD), a student:
shall have completed a secondary school course and obtained a certificate required for admission to an Irish civil university or what in the judgement of the Faculty is its equivalent;
shall present a testimonial that he/she has successfully completed a two-year course ib Philosophy;
shall be competent in Latin.
2. Students who do not qualify under 1 (a) may be considered for admission by the Faculty:
if they are of mature age, i.e. if they have reached the age of 23 on or before 1 January of the year of entry into the First Divinity Class;
or
if they present a testimonial of particular merit from an appropriate institute of Third Level education, the testimonial to contain full details regarding subjects studied, approximate number of lectures, and level of achievement in each subject.
Students holding a Diploma in Theology or equivalent may be admitted to the BD programme in Add-On mode, both honours and general.
Applicants for the BD Add-On mode programme must have at least five years professional experience and satisfy the Pontifical University matriculation criteria. Course Content will be based on the syllabus for the BD programme.
The specific courses to be undertaken in the major and minor subjects will be decided in advance on an individual basis by the Course Director in consultation with the Dean and the Registrar. The minimum duration of these programmes will be one academic year, and must be full-time.
Permission to extend the duration of studies must be sought expressly from the Faculty of Theology. Assessment will be by examination and coursework.
Careers / Further progression
Ordained Ministry - Lay Ecclesial Ministry
Academia within the Pontifical, Catholic and Canonical Third-Level System
Further information
Course Start Date: September 2024
The Maynooth BD endeavours to give students a dynamic understanding of the Christian mystery in all its richness, through a deep engagement with Christian Theology in the Western Latin (Roman Catholic) tradition, and to foster a reflective and critical understanding of that tradition. This it achieved by the ordered study of the key sub-disciplines of Theology—Scripture, Fundamental and Systematic Theology, Moral and Pastoral Theology, Sacred Liturgy and Ecclesiastical History. The high number of core elements provides a highly structured and coherent degree. Options can be so selected as to enable students to satisfy the academic requirements for candidates for the Catholic priesthood. The size, location, and research interests of the Faculty of Theology in Maynooth ensure both a truly comprehensive, contemporary programme, and a high level of individual support for students.
All students follow a common programme in First Year. Results in the first-year examinations determine a student’s progress at either Honours or General level.
Year 1
Introduction to Theology
Systematic Theology
Moral Theology
Sacred Scripture
Ecclesiastical History
Liturgy
Pastoral Theology
Liturgical Music
Biblical and Theological Languages
BD Students are required to choose one Biblical Language in Year 1
BL 181 Introduction to Biblical Greek
BL 182 Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin
BL 281 Intermediate Ecclesiastical Latin
BL 183 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Year 2
Systematic Theology & Patrology
Moral Theology
Sacred Scripture
Ecclesiastical History
Canon Law
Faith & Culture
Liturgy
Biblical and Theological Languages
BD Students are required to choose one Biblical Language in Year 2
BL 181 Introduction to Biblical Greek
BL 182 Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin
BL 281 Intermediate Ecclesiastical Latin
BL 183 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Year 3
Systematic Theology
Moral Theology
Sacred Scripture
Ecclesiastical History
Canon Law
Pastoral Theology
Liturgy
Elective & Special Courses
Students in Year III of the BD programme are required to take electives to the value of 7.5 credits from the following courses in order to attain the required 60 credits for the year. Please note the Liturgical Irish (EL239) takes place during the second semester and and Lord of the Rings (EL 230) takes place in second semester reading week (25th to 28th March).
EL256 Teaching Religion in a Contemporary Irish School
EL 276 Major Essay
EL 257 - Mission Outreach
EL 249 Good and Evil I
EL 248 Good and Evil (II)
EL 239 Bunchúrsa sa Ghaeilge Liotúirgeach d’Ábhair Shagart / Intro Course in Liturgical Irish
EL 230 Lord of the Rings: Vice and Virtue
EL 242 - European Humanism in the Making
Biblical and Theological Languages
A student may also take one of the following Biblical and Theological Language courses as an Elective and Special Course, with the permission of the Registrar in consultation with the Department of Sacred Scripture.
BL 181 Introduction to Biblical Greek
BL 281 Intermediate Ecclesiastical Latin
BL 183 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
BL 182 Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin
Please note that the several of the modules are on a two year cycle. For details go to https://sppu.ie/courses/baccalaureate-in-divinity-bd