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We envision a Graduate School that stands for excellence and innovation and that is globally recognized for its distinct degree programs and quality research outputs.
We are a Catholic institution of learning dedicated to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the theoretical and applied fields through quality graduate education that is comprehensive and responsive to the needs of society.
We are committed to the formation of scholars and high-quality professionals who are ethical, competent, compassionate, and committed to the service of their respective professions, the church, the nation, and the global community.
The Graduate School commits itself to develop:
The University of Santo Tomas, in pursuit of truth, guided by reason and illumined by faith, dedicates herself to the generation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge to form competent and compassionate professionals committed to the service of the Church, the nation, and the global community.
I am a Thomasian. I carry the SEAL of Thomasian education. I am a Servant leader, an Effective communicator and collaborator, an Analytical and creative thinker, and a Lifelong learner. With Christ at the center of my formation as a Thomasian, I am expected to demonstrate the following Thomasian Graduate Attributes (ThoGAs):
SERVANT LEADER
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR AND COLLABORATOR
ANALYTICAL AND CREATIVE THINKER
LIFELONG LEARNER
The Graduate School of Law’s vision is to produce graduates who are not only respected in the field of law, academically and professionally, but also possess the core values of a true Thomasian lawyer: competence, compassion, and commitment.
The UST Graduate School of Law’s mission is to provide exceptional support services to graduate students and faculty; to promote quality in graduate education by challenging and guiding students to conduct investigations/research that will aid in the enactment of just and reasonable laws that genuinely serve the people; and to establish university-wide graduate policies, standards, and procedures that define best practices for the graduate programs it serves.
Founded on the Thomasians’ Core values, the Graduate School of Law aims to (1) develop intellectual expertise in law and jurisprudence among lawyers; (2) contribute to public service improvement by emphasizing the lawyers’ mission of upholding justice and truth; (3) elevate the legal profession’s standards; and (4) improve the administration of justice for the welfare of the Filipino people.
Click here for the Admission Policies and Procedures of the Graduate School of Law.
Downloadable Forms:
Go to THIS PAGE and look for the “Graduate School of Law” tab for the tuition fees.
PHL 821 – Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
An expository course of the essential philosophical teachings of the Angelic Doctor organized around the 24 fundamental theses of Thomism against the background of St. Thomas Aquinas’ successful synthesis of Scholastic Philosophy, Biblical, and Catholic Tradition and Aristotelian Method.
PHL 822 – Philosophy of Human Person
An analytical study of contemporary Christian critique and synthesis of modern and contemporary philosophies of man, with background of philosophies of man from Ancient Greece, India, and China.
PHL 823 – Philosophy of Values
A survey exposition of the moral philosophies dating back from Socrates, Buddha, and Confucius to contemporary moral philosophies around a reflective critique of these in the light of contemporary Catholic moral thought.
LAW 801 – Estate Planning
This course provides a comprehensive study of estate planning, which involves the legal and financial strategies for transferring an individual’s assets and wealth to their beneficiaries upon death. It covers the various components of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced directives, and tax planning. The course also explores the ethical and social implications of estate planning, such as protecting vulnerable family members and preserving family wealth.
LAW 802 – Insurance Law of the Philippines
This course provides an in-depth study of the legal principles and practices of insurance law in the Philippines, including the laws and regulations governing insurance contracts, claims, and disputes. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide practical legal advice and representation to clients in this critical area of law.
LAW 803 – International Business and Economic Laws
This course provides an in-depth analysis of the legal framework governing international business and economic transactions. It covers the legal principles, theories, and policies that underlie international business and economic laws, including the role of international organizations and institutions in promoting global trade and economic development. The course examines legal regimes for international business and economic activities, including regulating cross-border transactions, foreign investment, intellectual property, and dispute resolution.
LAW 804 – Criminal Justice
This course comprehensively studies the history, philosophy, and critical concepts of the criminal justice system. It covers the various stages of the criminal justice process, from investigation and arrest to trial and sentencing, as well as the roles of the different actors in the system, such as law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and correctional institutions. The course also examines contemporary issues and challenges facing the criminal justice system, such as the impact of technology, diversity and inclusion, and restorative justice.
LAW 805 – Administrative Law Reform
This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and analyze the current state of administrative law in the Philippines and develop reform strategies. It covers administrative law’s historical, theoretical, and practical aspects, including its principles, sources, and challenges. Through critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, students can apply their learning to real-world scenarios and conduct research to support their analyses and proposals.
LAW 806 – Constitutional Law Reform and Bill of Rights
This course covers constitutional laws historical, theoretical, and practical aspects, including its principles, interpretation, and enforcement. Through critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, students can apply their learning to real-world scenarios and conduct research to support their analyses and proposals.
LAW 807 – Church and State Relations
This course is designed to give students a critical understanding of the relationship between the Church and the State in the Philippines, focusing on critical legal and policy issues related to Church and State relations. It covers the constitutional and legal frameworks governing religious freedom, the role of the State in religious affairs, and the management of social and moral issues that intersect with religion and the law. Through critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, students can apply their learning to real-world scenarios and conduct research to support their analyses and proposals.
LAW 808 – Civil Law Reform and the Family Code
This course is designed to give students a critical understanding of the Philippine civil law system, its evolution, particularly the Family Code, and how it has been reformed. The course focuses on legal and policy issues related to civil law and the Family Code, including marriage, property relations, succession, adoption, and other related areas. Through critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, students can apply their learning to real-world scenarios and conduct research to support their analyses and proposals.
LAW 809 – Air and Outer Space Law: Law and Political Aspects
This course provides an overview of the legal and political frameworks that govern air and outer space activities. The course is designed to enable students to gain an in-depth understanding of the legal and political challenges facing the aviation and space industries and the regulatory and compliance frameworks developed to address these challenges. Through critical analysis, research, and problem-solving exercises, students will learn how to apply air and outer space law principles and practices to real-world scenarios and propose solutions to complex legal and political issues.
LAW 810 – Human Rights
This course provides an in-depth study of the philosophical, theological, and historical foundations of the Constitution, focusing on human rights. It also includes an analysis of the provisions of the Philippine Constitution, their development and enforcement, and contemporary judicial interpretation. Students will also explore a comparative study of the Philippine Constitution with the International Bill of Rights and other countries’ provisions. Through critical analysis and research, students will learn how to apply the principles and practices of human rights to real-world scenarios and propose solutions to complex legal and political issues.
LAW 811 – International Relations with Asia
This course provides an in-depth study of the international relations of the Philippines with Asia, with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities related to the ownership of seas and natural resources near the shorelines of both countries. It includes an analysis of the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy and the impact of international affairs on policy development, national security, strategic programs, and power balance. Through critical analysis and research, students will learn how to apply the principles and practices of international relations to real-world scenarios and propose solutions to complex legal and political issues.
LAW 812 – Law on Intellectual Property
This course provides an in-depth study of the laws governing intellectual property in the Philippines. It covers the legal framework for protecting various forms of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and related rights. Students will develop a critical understanding of the legal concepts and principles underlying intellectual property law and the social and economic implications of intellectual property protection.
LAW 813 – Criminal Law Reform
This course provides a critical study of some criminal laws in the Philippines which need amendments or changes. It deals with the analytical study of the penalties and fines imposed and assesses the necessity for possible reforms. Students will examine the principles and policies underlying criminal law, evaluate the effectiveness of existing criminal laws, and explore potential areas for reform.
LAW 814 – Remedial Law Reform
This course critically studies the rules and procedures governing civil and criminal litigation in the Philippines. It examines the effectiveness and efficiency of the current regulations and guidelines and explores potential areas for reform. Students will develop a critical understanding of the legal concepts and principles underlying remedial law and the social and economic implications of reforming the rules and procedures.
LAW 815 – Probation and Parole and Restorative Justice
This course provides a comprehensive study of the concept and history of probation and parole and the principles and practices of restorative justice. It examines the operation of probation systems in other countries, focusing on the Philippines’ Probation Law, rules and regulations, and similar statutes. The course also delves into the process of bringing convicts back to the fold of society through rehabilitative means, including the provision of tools to cope with life anew after undergoing imprisonment.
LAW 816 – UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the New Baseline Law of the Philippines
This course provides an extensive and exhaustive study of the provisions of the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the New Baseline Law of the Philippines (R.A. 9522). It examines the evolution of UNCLOS and its impact on maritime law and policy development, including the principles of territorial sovereignty, exclusive economic zones, and the rights and duties of coastal states and other stakeholders. The course also delves into the Philippine legal framework for maritime jurisdiction, including the role of the New Baseline Law in defining the Country’s territorial boundaries and asserting its maritime claims.
LAW 817 – Anti- Money Laundering Law and other similar laws (R.A. 9160)
This course provides a comprehensive study of the Anti-Money Laundering Law (R.A. 9160) and other similar laws and regulations aimed at preventing and detecting financial crimes. It covers the legal and policy frameworks for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, including the roles and responsibilities of financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement agencies. The course also examines the international standards and best practices for anti-money laundering and the challenges associated with their implementation and enforcement.
LAW 818 – Maritime Law: Issues, Challenges and Implications
This course provides a comprehensive study of the legal framework governing maritime activities and the issues, challenges, and implications that arise in the marine sector. It covers the domestic and international legal regimes for maritime law, including the law of the sea, maritime commerce, marine environmental protection, and maritime disputes. The course also examines the practical challenges and implications of maritime law, such as piracy, marine accidents, and maritime security protection.
LAW 819 – Protection of the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous Communities
This course offers an in-depth study of the legal and sociological framework governing the protection of ancestral domains of Indigenous Communities in the Philippines. The course comprehensively analyzes the sociological concept of private ownership based on native title espoused by the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (R.A. 8371) compared to the jural precepts of state ownership of lands under the Regalian Doctrine. It also explores the constitutional mandate’s development and philosophy or rationale that recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the frameworks of national unity and development. The course examines the legal and policy implications of recognizing and protecting ancestral domains of Indigenous Communities and aims to develop critical thinking skills and strategies for addressing the challenges and opportunities of this complex and sensitive legal and socio-cultural issue.
Any course which has a direct bearing on one’s dissertation.
Foreign Languages: (6 units) (non-credit)
Written Comprehensive Examinations (WCE)
DW I – 6 units (Research Proposal)
DW II – 3 units (Research Colloquium)
DW III – 3 units (Defense)
Degree Requirements | Units |
Core Courses | 9 |
Specialization Courses | 33 |
Cognate Courses | 6 |
Foreign Language | (6) |
Written Comprehensive Exams | — |
Dissertation Writing I | 6 |
Dissertation Writing II | 3 |
Dissertation Writing III | 3 |
TOTAL | 60 |
The University of Santo Tomas is one of the leading private research universities in the Philippines and is consistently ranked among the top 1000 universities in the whole world. With academic degrees and research thrusts in the natural, health, applied, social, and sacred sciences, as well as business and management, the University continuously strives to make a positive impact on the society.
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