A pontifical university is a Catholic university established by and directly under the authority of the Holy See. It is licensed to grant academic degrees in sacred faculties, the most important of which are Sacred Theology, Canon Law, Sacred Scripture and Philosophy. Pontifical universities follow a European system of degrees in the sacred faculties, granting the baccalaureate, the licentiate, and the doctorate. Independent institutions or individual faculties at non-pontifical universities may also be given charters by the Holy See to grant pontifical degrees, usually in one or two specific fields. These are referred to as a "pontifical faculty" or "pontifical institute" to distinguish it from an entire "pontifical university." As defined by the Code of Canon Law: The Vicariate of Rome has established an office for campus ministry and the pastoral care of students, the Office of Pastorale Universitaria. This office serves students at the pontifical universities as well as those enrolled at state universities.
Academic degrees
Like other theological faculties, pontifical universities divide studies into 3 cycles: the first cycle of varying duration, after which is obtained a Bachelor, the second cycle leads to the conferment of a License degree and finally with the third level a Graduate degree can be obtained. The duration of courses varies from university to university. In Italy "degrees in theology and other ecclesiastical disciplines, conferred by a Faculty approved by the Holy See are recognized by the State" pursuant to art. 10/II of the 25 March 1985 n.21 Law. However, no measures were taken designed to establish a priori the equivalence with the titles conferred by Italian universities. It is therefore not possible to predetermine a mandatory equivalence for qualifications issued by pontifical universities with those issued by state universities. Indeed, in Italy, constant changes make it very complex to unify a university curriculum with the problem of equality that must be resolved, at their request, from time to time by the relevant Ministry of Education, University and Research .
Courses
Pontifical universities in Rome have established faculties of Sacred Theology, of Civil Law and Canon Law or Utriusque iuris, of Philosophy, of Biblical Sciences and Archeology, of Christian and classical literature, of Missiology, Education Science and Social Communication Sciences.
Admission
Pontifical universities in Rome accept students from around the world, whether clergy or laity. With special permission and motivated, even non-Christians may be admitted. Students are normally classified into normal students, extraordinary students and guest students. Admission to courses of the Faculties or Institutes of a pontifical university may be conditional on the knowledge of Latin, Greek or other foreign languages.
Institutions
Pontifical universities
In Rome, the following seven pontifical universities qualify with respect to Can. 815: The Religious Order or other ecclesiastical body responsible for the administration of the university is listed in parentheses.
