MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY AND 
HUMAN STUDIES - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE  [ S.L.327.80 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.80
MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY AND HUMAN 
STUDIES - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE 
REGULATIONS
18th March, 1997
LEGAL NOTICE 36 of 1997.
Citation and 
interpretation.
1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Master of Arts in
Theology and Human Studies - M.A. - Degree Course Regulations.
(2) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -
"the Board" means the Board of Studies appointed under
regulation 4;
"the course" means the course leading to the Degree;
"the Degree" means the Master of Arts in Theology and Human
Studies - M.A.
Applicability.
1991 or later.
Eligibility for the 
Degree.
3. To be eligible for the award of the Degree a candidate must
have:
( a ) completed the appropriate course of studies;
( b ) been successful in the relevant examinations and
dissertation; and
( c ) satisfied all other requirements prescribed in these
regulations and any other relevant statutes and
regulations of the University.
Board of Studies 
and coordinator.
4. (1) A Board of Studies consisting of the Dean of the
Faculty of Theology and three other members shall be appointed by
the Faculty Board of Theology for a period of three years to
manage and supervise the course in accordance with these
regulations.
(2) The Faculty Board shall appoint a course coordinator for a
period of three years from among the members of the Board.
Registration and 
special course 
requirements.
5. (1) A candidate may register for the course if he has:
( a ) obtained the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology,
Summa cum Laude ,  Magna cum Laude  or  cum Laude ,
from the University of Malta or another University
approved by Senate for the purpose; or
( b ) obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in
Theology and Human Studies or an equivalent
qualification with First or Second Class Honours from
the University of Malta or another University
approved by Senate for the purpose; or
2 [ S.L.327.80
MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY AND 
HUMAN STUDIES - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE 
( c ) obtained at least grade B in the qualifying examination
and in the overall assessment of the M.A. Preparatory
Course.
Preparatory course. 6. (1) A candidate may be registered for the M.A. in
Theology and Human Studies preparatory course if he has: 
( a ) obtained from the University the degree of B.A. in
Theology and Human Studies or the B.A. in Religious
Studies and satisfied the Board that he has attained the
standard required to follow the course; or
( b ) obtained another degree from another Faculty or
University provided that such a degree includes not
less than 20 credits in Theology or Religious Studies
and the average grade in these credits is at least B; or
( c ) studied, on a full-time basis, Philosophy and Theology
for five years in a major seminary or in an institution
which, in the opinion of the Faculty Board, is of a
similar academic standing and obtained at least an
average of grade B in the tests or examinations.
(2) Candidates admitted to the preparatory course shall
normally be required to obtain 16 credits in not less than two
semesters in such study-units as the Faculty Board deems
appropriate and may also be required to write a dissertation.
(3) On obtaining the necessary number of credits candidates.
shall be required to sit for a qualifying examination which shall
normally be similar to all or part of the examination for the B.A.
(Honours) in Theology and Human Studies.
(4) The qualifying examination shall comprise two papers.
Course duration. 7. (1) A candidate for the Degree shall be required to present
a written dissertation not less than fifteen and not more than
twenty-seven calendar months after registration. The Faculty Board
may, before the presentation of the dissertation, extend registration
for one period of twelve calendar months.
(2) A candidate may, by permission of the Faculty Board,
register as a part-time student for any period spent in part-time
study or research required to complete the course of studies. Any
period to be sent in part-time study or research shall be considered
to be equivalent to half the same period of full-time study or
research.
(3) A candidate, whether full-time or part-time, shall be
required to reregister for the course at the beginning of each
academic year.
Final examination. 8. (1) Before presenting the dissertation a candidate shall
also be required to have followed and successfully completed two
or more courses, one of which shall be in Methods of Research.
(2) A candidate shall normally also be required to take a  viva
voce  examination to defend his dissertation.
Supervision. 9. The Faculty Board shall in each case appoint as supervisor
a Professor or Lecturer, who will require the candidate to report at
least once a term and, in addition, as often as is deemed necessary.
MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY AND 
HUMAN STUDIES - M.A. - DEGREE COURSE  [ S.L.327.80 3
The supervisor may refer to the Faculty Board a candidate whose
work is considered unsatisfactory and must refer, for the approval
of the Faculty Board, any substantial modification in the title or
content of the projected dissertation. No dissertation may be
submitted to the examiners without the supervisor’s certificate of
conformity with the regulations.
Dissertation.
be submitted for the approval of the Faculty Board within three
calendar months of registration.
(2) Every dissertation presented for the Degree shall:
( a ) be either a record of original work or an ordered and
critical expression of existing data with regard to a
particular subject;
( b ) fulfil all specifications laid down by the Faculty
Board; and
( c ) include a declaration of originality signed by the
candidate.
(3) No dissertation shall be accepted which is identical in
substance to a dissertation already submitted for a degree in the
University of Malta or any other University. No candidate,
however, shall be precluded from incorporating such previous
dissertation work as may be necessary for the presentation and
fuller understanding of his exposition, provided that the nature and
extent of such incorporation are clearly indicated in the dissertation
itself.
(4) Each dissertation shall be examined by at least three
examiners.
(5) A candidate whose dissertation is found unsatisfactory may
be allowed by the Faculty Board, on the examiners’
recommendation, to re-submit the dissertation in revised form
within a period of not less than six and not more than eighteen
calendar months.
Final results.
for the Degree shall be published in alphabetical order according to
the following classification:
Passed with Distinction
Passed.
Certification.
awarded the Degree.
