Faculty of Theology

Faculty of Theology

Degree Programs

Contact Information

Degree Programs

The cyclical courses of study offered in the Faculty of Theology lead to the following degrees: Baccalaureate in Theology (3 years) for the first cycle; Licentiate in Theology (2-5 years) for the second cycle; Doctorate in Theology (2-5 years) for the third cycle. 

As a matter of general policy, enrollees for the Licentiate or Doctorate degree must finish the program within five (5) years following their enrollment. Those who fail to complete their degree within the prescribed period must take refresher courses to be determined by the Dean. They are, however, given only a maximum of ten years (inclusive of the five-year initial academic residency) to complete the program, beyond which they may be advised to discontinue their enrollment in the Faculty or repeat the whole program applied for.

Doctorate in Theology

Licentiate in Theology

Bachelor in Theology

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Vision & Mission

Becoming Part of the Program

Research Publication

Vision & Mission

Becoming Part of the Program

General Admission Requirements

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. The Faculty of Theology is primarily open to future members of the diocesan clergy. However, it is also open to religious men and women and members of the laity, provided that they meet the required qualifications (2024 General Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Art. 19.1; Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 31).
  2. To be admitted to the Faculty, clerics and religious must present written permission from their respective Ordinary or Superior (2024 General Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Art. 19; Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 31 and its Norms of Application, Art. 26, §1.1). Diocesan seminarians applying for residency in the UST Central Seminary must also go through the screening committee of the UST Central Seminary. Diocesan seminarians who are not residents of the UST Central Seminary may be considered for admission if endorsed by their own bishop.
  3. Applicants must present valid credentials of having satisfactorily completed the civil requirements for admission to the University, aside from possessing a working knowledge of Latin. All new students must submit, upon admission, other than the written recommendation from the Major Superior or Ordinary, the following documents: 
    a. Certificate of graduation from at least Senior High School (for those enrolling in the ITF program);
    b. Certificate of Good Moral Character;
    c. Certificate for Valid Transfer from the previous school;
    d. Official copy of Academic Records (Form 138 or the Original Transcript of Records);
  1. Applicants to the Faculty of Theology, except those who graduated with any degree from the other two Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University, must take and pass the entrance examination. The entrance examination typically consists of the Mental Ability Test, English Test, Latin Test, and Essay Test. Additional items may be included based on the recommendations of the Faculty Council and/or the Admission Committee.
  2. No student may be admitted to the Faculty of Theology to pursue a degree while simultaneously working toward another academic degree from a different faculty (General Statutes, University of Santo Tomas, 2014, Art. 47, no. 4). However, students in the Licentiate Program are allowed to enroll in a dual program with either the UST Graduate School or the PDCIS-Institute of Preaching. These dual programs enable students to also earn the Master of Arts in Theology degree on the condition that they meet all the requirements for that civil degree (cf. 2024 General Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Art. 21). 
  3. As a general rule, the Faculty of Theology does not accept transferees. However, in a few exceptional cases, the Faculty may admit transferees under the following conditions: 
    a. Students must complete at least 60% of the required units in the program they are applying for (for applicants in the 2nd and 3rd cycles). 
    b. For B.Th. applicants:
    • Should be an incoming second-year student or an advanced student willing to be accepted into the second year of theological formation.
    • Did not receive a failing mark or a mark of 3.0 or equivalent in two or more subjects in his/her previous school.
  4. The admission of students to the Faculty is processed by the Admission Committee, whose functions are as follows (see 2024 General Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Art. 19, no. 3):
    a. To evaluate the academic records and other pertinent credentials of applicants;
    b. To recommend the administration of the entrance examination;
    c. To propose to the Dean who, among the applicants, may be admitted after due verification of their qualifications. 
  5. The Admission Committee is composed of the Dean of the Faculty as Chair, the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, and (if needed) another professor as members. The Rector of the Central Seminary may be consulted regarding the admission of diocesan resident seminarians and student-priests of the UST Central Seminary.
Baccalaureate in Theology Admission Requirements

FIRST CYCLE: BACCALAUREATE IN THEOLOGY

A. Admission Requirements
Applicants for the First Cycle, for them to be admitted as an ordinary student, must: 

  1. Submit a written permission from his/her respective ordinary or superior. Laypersons seeking admission must also submit both a Certificate of Good Moral Character and a Written Recommendation from Superiors or Local Ordinary.
  2. Have an ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Philosophy degree; or, without prejudice to the instructions of Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 74, a, a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Philosophy from a College Seminary whose program is commensurate with the requirements of an ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Philosophy degree. Any applicant who is a graduate of any Bachelor’s degree other than philosophy must first accomplish the philosophy program for alternative access to B.Th. before he can be admitted to the program.
  3. Have a working knowledge of Latin, otherwise, they must take additional units in the Latin language.
  4. International students must accomplish all the legal requirements to pursue their studies in the University; they must also present a certificate of having completed an examination for English proficiency from either IELTS or TOEFL, or a similar English language proficiency program. 
  5. Have taken and passed the entrance examination.
Licentiate in Theology Admission Requirements

SECOND CYCLE: LICENTIATE IN THEOLOGY

A. Admission Requirements

  1. To be admitted to the second cycle, a student must:
    a. be a graduate of an Ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in Theology degree from any center of Theological Studies approved by ecclesiastical authorities; those who completed a two-year philosophy and at least a three-year theology program from a Seminary College may also be admitted, as long as they have not received failing marks in any major theological course, and are willing to complete the required number of bridging courses;
    b. submit a written recommendation from the Major Superior or Local Ordinary. Lay applicants must be able to present a certificate of good moral character and a written recommendation letter from their Local Ordinary;
    c. take and pass the entrance examinations, which include the Mental Ability Test, English-based tests, Philosophy, Latin, and Essay. Applicants without a background in Latin will be required to take Latin courses.
  2. International applicants must have all the legal documents required for them to pursue their studies in the University, and they are also required to submit their IELTS/TOEFL or a similar English language proficiency program Certificate.
  3. Applicants who have previously completed a degree from any of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas (Manila) may be dispensed from the entrance examination.
Doctorate in Theology Admission Requirements

THIRD CYCLE: DOCTORATE IN THEOLOGY

A. Admission Requirements

  1. Students applying for the program should:
    a. have a Licentiate degree in Theology (the completion of an MA degree in Theology cannot be taken as a substitute for the Licentiate in Theology degree) with a minimum average grade of 1.75, and/or have not received any failing mark in any of the courses in the Licentiate program;
    b. submit written permission from their Ordinary or Major Superior (for clerics and religious), or a certificate of good moral character and a recommendation letter issued by their Ordinary (for the lay people);
    c. take and pass the entrance examination, which includes the Mental Ability Test, English-based tests, Essay, and Latin. Applicants without knowledge of Latin are required to take Latin courses for their language requirements;
  2. International applicants must have all the legal documents required for them to pursue their studies at the University. They are also required to submit a certificate for their having completed the English proficiency examination from either TOEFL or IELTS, or a similar English language proficiency program.
  3. Applicants who have previously completed a degree from any of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas (Manila) may already be dispensed from the entrance examination.
Application Procedure

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

  1. All applicants to the Faculty of Theology must submit the necessary documents for application.
    a. He must accomplish the application form and submit a letter of application addressed to the Dean of the Faculty.
    b. He must also submit a written recommendation from the Major Superior or Ordinary.
    c. He must furnish the office with a photocopy of his complete academic records. All these documents should be submitted to the office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties before the applicant is scheduled to take the entrance examination.
  2. Once the above-mentioned documents are cleared by the Admission Committee, the applicant is scheduled for an entrance examination. Only applicants who have successfully passed the entrance examination may be admitted to the Faculty.
  3. The entrance examination is scheduled by the UST Office for Admission through the coordinator of the Ecclesiastical Faculties. Qualified applicants are notified by the Office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties about the venue, date, and time of the examination. The office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties informs the applicants of the things that would be needed for the examination. No applicant is allowed to take the entrance examination unless he is properly endorsed by the office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties.
  4. All international applicants are expected to have accomplished all the legal requirements needed to pursue their studies at the University of Santo Tomas. They are also required to submit a certificate of having accomplished an English proficiency examination from either TOEFL or IELTS, or a similar English language proficiency certification.
  5. Applicants who passed the entrance examination must submit the original documents of their academic records (and other legal documents when specifically required) before the date of enrollment. No applicant is allowed to enroll unless these documents are submitted. These include:
    a. Form 138 (Report card) for those who have just completed their Senior High School studies (only for those who are enrolling in the ITF program);
    b. Official Transcript of Records (for those who have finished their previous degree abroad);
    c. Certificate for Valid Transfer or similar document
  6. Applicants seeking admission to the Central Seminary must also attend and pass the Orientation Seminar conducted by the Seminary administrators.
Fees and Discounts
  1. Students are given appropriate scholarships for their studies. All are, however, required to pay full miscellaneous and other fees. Moreover, additional courses no longer required for their respective degree shall be charged with fees similar to those in the Civil Faculties. 
  2. For students in the Bachelor in Theology program, the following discounts are applicable:
    a. For students residing in the Central Seminary, 100% discount on tuition fees,
    b. For students residing outside the Central Seminary, 20% discount on tuition fees.
  3. For students in the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.Th.L.) and Master of Arts in Theology programs, the following discounts are applicable:
    a. For students residing in the Central Seminary, a 50% discount on tuition fees;
    b. For students residing outside the Central Seminary, a 20% discount on tuition fees.
  4. Students will also be required to pay other fees, which include examination fees, thesis defense fees, adviser’s fee, and others. Tuition, miscellaneous, examination and other fees vary from year to year and are based on the University’s computation of the charges.

Research Publication

The Philippiniana Sacra is the official publication of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. It is published three times a year with an Ecclesiastical Approval.

Articles written in English, Spanish, Latin, and Filipino (with English translation) and focusing on Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law are welcome. Submitted manuscripts are subjected to a qualitative assessment of the editorial board and double-blind review.

The Philippiniana Sacra is presently a Commission on Higher Education-recognized research journal, with Category A-2 rank.

Updates

Student Organizations

Patron Saint

Student Organizations

Patron Saint

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Patron of the University of Santo Tomás

Patron of the UST Faculty of Sacred Theology

Feast Day: January 28

The revered Angelic Doctor of the Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas, is famous for his magnum opus, the Summa Theologica.

His legacy has left such a profound impact that educational institutions have been named after him, including the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the Catholic University of the Philippines.

Thomas was born into a noble family who hailed from Aquino between 1224/1225 in Castello di Roccasecca in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies.

Educated under the Benedictine Rule from 1230-1239, he studied in the Abbazia di Montecassino. Inspired by the religious life, he had his Vestition in Covento di s. Domenico Maggiore, Naples, on May 24, 1244. He took his novitiate two years after in the Couvent de St.-Jacques or the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Paris, some time between 1247-1248.

Finally, he was ordained into the Order of Preachers in Dominikanerkloster Heilig Kreuz, Cologne, around 1251.

Thomas’ scholarship was staggering. Apart from the Summa Theologica, he wrote nine exegeses of Scriptural books, two famous prayers, five expert opinions or responsa, nine treatises in the form of academic disputations, eight philosophical treatises, and five polemical works, among others.

Thomas died on March 7, 1274 due to severe brain hemorrhage. His death represented a profound loss to the Catholic Church. No less than his teacher, the would-be Saint Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus) expressed sorrow at the loss of a profound theologian.

In recognition of his contributions and unwavering faith, Thomas was canonized by Pope John XXII on July 18, 1323. He is the patron saint of Catholic academies, schools, colleges, and universities.

 

Source:

  • Aureada, J.A.E. (2009). An Angelic Mina in a Human Face: St. Thomas Aquinas, His Life in Visuals. Manila, Philippines: UST Publishing House.

Administrators

Asst. Prof. Warren S. Maneja, MA

Faculty Secretary

Faculty Members

Professor Emeriti

Rev. Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P., SSL

Associate Professor

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., PhD, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Doctor of Philosophy

Rev. Fr. Fausto B. Gomez, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Professors

Rev. Fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DThScPat

Doctor of Theology in Patristic Sciences

Rev. fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., PhD, SThD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Virgilio A. Ojoy, O.P., PhD, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Associate Professors

Rev. Fr. Edgardo D. Alaurin, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Delfo Canceran, O.P., PhD, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Cecilio Vladimire E. Magboo, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Clarence Victor Marquez, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Assistant Professors

Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., SThL, MA 

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Master of Arts in Theology

Rev. Fr. Dexter A. Austria, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, O.P. SThL-MA, PhD

Licentiate in Sacred Technology

Rev. Fr. Roberto . Luanzon, Jr., O.P., SThD, DL

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Doctor of Liturgy

 

Instructors

Rev. Fr. Adrian Adiredjo, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey L. Aytona, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Winston Ferdinand Roman I F. Cabading, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. EHL

Licentiate in Church History

Rev. Fr. Jerone R. Geronimo, O.P., SThD

Licentiate in Theology

Rev. Fr. Jayson R. Gonzales, O.P., SThD cand

Licentiate in Theology

Rev. Fr. Ivan Paul N. Obando, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Wenifredo V. Padilla III, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Art Vincent M. Pangan, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Simon Peter DL. Ramos, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Ramon T. Salibay, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Hilario V. Sicat, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. John Paul Sontillano, O.P., SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., SThL-MA

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. Fr. Jessie R. Yap, EHL

Licentiate in Church History

Dominican Guest Professors

Rev. fr. Romualdo P. Cabanatan, O.P., JCD

Doctor of Canon Law

Rev. fr. Thomas Eggensperger, O.P., PhD

 

Rev. fr. Arden Xerxes D. Dacuma, O.P., JCL

Licentiate in Canon Law

Rev. fr. Ermito G. de Sagon, O.P., SSL

Assistant Professor

Rev. fr. Villiam Štephan Dóci, O.P., DrTheol

Doctor of Theology

Rev. Fr. Julius Paul . Factora, O.P, JCD

Doctor of Canon Law 

Rev. fr. George  Kumblumoothil, O.P., SThD

Doctor of Dacred Theology

Rev. fr. Jerry R. Manlangit. O.P., PhD

Licentiate in Church History

Rev. fr. Jessie R. Yap, EHL

Licentiate in Church History

Non-Dominican Guest Professors

Prof. Neriza Adorna, PhD

 

Rev. fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, OSA, DThScPat, SSL

Doctor of Theology in Patristic Sciences

Rev. fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., PhD, SThL-MA

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Assoc. Prof. Allan A. Basas, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology major in Dogma

Assoc. Prof. Maila M. Blanza, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

Assoc. Prof. Mary Erika N. Bolaños, LPT, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

Rev. fr. Sammy Canilang, CMF, SThL

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Rev. fr. Radni Caparas, OAR, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Sr. Mariela C. De Villa, O.P., MA

 

Rev. fr. Genaro Diwa, SSL

 

Rev. fr. Ian Espartero, OAR, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Assoc. Prof. Philip L. Fuentes, PhD, SThD

Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies

Asso. Prof. Warren S. Mañeja, MA

Master of Arts in Theology

Rev. fr. Emilio Quilatan, OAR, EHD

 

Mr. Blaise D. Ringor, PhD

 

Prof. Joel C. Sagut, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy major in Philosophy

Prof. Chito M. Sawit, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

Rev. fr. Jeffrey Suffrir Segovia, SThD

Doctor of Sacred Theology major in Biblical Theology

Sr. Cecilia Varon, O.P. SThL-MA

Licentiate in Sacred Theology

Support Staff

Mrs. Cecilia Rebelyn Flores
Office Assistant
(SWDB and Community Development Coordinator / Student Activities)

Mr. Jefferson Ong

Office Clerk
(Student Records)

Mrs. Nona Ong

Office Clerk
(Office Communications and Files)

Mr. Jeruel Jireh D. Cebeda

General Clerk

History

The Ecclesiastical Faculties have always been considered integral units of the University of Santo Tomas, which Leo XIII proclaimed a Pontifical University (Quae Mari Sinico, VII, 17 September 1902), and Pius XII honored with the title of The Catholic University of the Philippines (Litt. Apost. 10 April 1947). The Faculty of Theology is as old as the University itself, since the primary purpose of the Dominican Fathers in founding this institution of learning was to train from among the young men who flocked to their lecture rooms worthy ministers of the altar. 

This Faculty, together with the Faculty of Philosophy, received official ecclesiastical recognition in the Brief, In Supereminenti, given on 20 November 1645 in Rome under the pontificate of Innocent X. In 1896, largely influenced by the Government and the unique circumstances of the era, the Faculty of Philosophy was transformed into the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. However, in 1928, due to the establishment of the Inter-diocesan (also known as Central) Seminary, the original Faculty of Philosophy was reinstated, primarily for seminarians.

Moreover, in response to previous requests of the Dominican Fathers in the Philippines regarding the creation of a Faculty of Canon Law, Innocent XI issued his Brief, Inscrutabili, on 7 August 1681. However, due to the troubled circumstances of the period, the Brief could not be implemented immediately. It was implemented on 11 November 1733. Thus, on 23 October 1733, the King of Spain approved the project, which Clement XII confirmed on 2 September 1734 in his Brief, Dudum Emanarunt.

The Ecclesiastical Faculties of Sacred Theology, Philosophy, and Canon Law have always been considered as integral components of the University of Santo Tomas, which Pope Leo XII proclaimed a Pontifical University on September 17, 1902 through the Constitution Quae Mari Sinico. Pope Pius XII, meanwhile, declared UST as “the Catholic University of the Philippines” in 1947.

The Faculties of Sacred Theology and Philosophy are as old as the University itself. The Foundation Act of the University, dated on April 28, 1611, attests to this as it mentions the establishment of a colegio-seminario (seminary college). The first graduates were granted their academic degrees either in 1629 or 1630. The degrees conferred in UST were ordered to be recognized as valid in any part of the globe after the Brief In Supereminenti, given on November 20, 1645, during the Pontificate of Innocent X, elevated the Colegio into a University. This recognition also made UST open even to those who are not pursuing an ecclesiastical career.

To further widen its service to the local and Asian Churches, the Faculty of Sacred Theology has taken the initiative to empower other theological institutes, schools, or seminaries to confer, through Affiliation, the Baccalaurate degree in Theology; and to confer, through Incorporation, the Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Theology. The Faculty of Sacred Theology assists these institutes, schools, and seminaries to become affiliated with, or incorporated to, it by helping them meet the requirements of the Holy See for this purpose.

Currently, there is one institute incorporated to the Faculty of Sacred Theology: the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia founded by the Claretian Missionaries; and four schools / seminaries affiliated to it, namely: the Holy Rosary Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Caceres, the Immaculate Conception School of Theology of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, the Recoletos School of Theology of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects, and the Dominican Center of Studies of the Province of Martyrs in Vietnam.

The Faculty of Sacred Theology, along with the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Canon Law, has also contributed in the intellectual formation of modern-day Catholic hierarchy and clergy in local Church of the Philippines and other Asian countries, particularly Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Some countries from Africa (those from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and Oceania (particularly Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu) also send their seminarians and priests to complete their degree in Asia’s oldest existing Ecclesiastical Faculties.

Adapted from: Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., and Fr. Jose Ma. B. Tinoko, O.P. in 400 @ 800: A Tribute to the 8th Centenary of the Dominican Order (1216-2016), published by the University of Santo Tomas