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Studies & Degrees in Systematic Theology

Systematic theology presents Christian doctrine as an ordered whole. Where biblical theology follows the message of each book of the Bible and historical theology traces how beliefs developed, systematic theology takes one topic at a time and asks what the Christian faith teaches about it and how the topics fit together. It draws on Scripture, on the tradition of the churches and on philosophy.

The classic topics are the doctrine of God and the Trinity, creation, the human person, Christ, grace and salvation, the Church, the sacraments and the last things (eschatology). In Catholic faculties the field is usually divided into dogmatic theology and moral theology, with fundamental theology as the introduction that deals with revelation and faith. Protestant seminaries mostly use the name systematic theology for the doctrinal part and teach Christian ethics next to it.

Qualifications and levels

Systematic theology is rarely a first degree on its own. Students meet it as a core part of a general theology degree and specialise in it at postgraduate level.

Faculties of theology erected by the Catholic Church follow the three cycles laid down in the apostolic constitution Veritatis gaudium (2017): a first cycle that ends with the Baccalaureate, a second cycle of specialisation that lasts two years and ends with the Licentiate, and a third cycle that ends with the Doctorate. The Faculty of Theology of the Universidad de Navarra, in Pamplona, shows how this works in practice:

  • Bachiller en Teología. Five years. The first two cover systematic philosophy and the history of philosophy; the following three cover the full course of theology, including fundamental theology, the mystery of God and theological anthropology.
  • Licenciatura en Teología. Two academic years (120 ECTS credits), with a licentiate thesis of 12 ECTS credits and between 27,000 and 34,000 words. Students choose between Teología Sistemática (Dogmática), Teología Sistemática (Moral) and Teología Bíblica. A sufficient knowledge of Latin is required.
  • Doctorate. The faculty's doctoral programme is called Teología y mundo actual.
  • Diploma en Teología. A qualification of the faculty itself (título propio) of at least 18 ECTS credits, taught on campus in Spanish for students of other degrees and anyone interested.

The 2025 study plan of the dogmatic specialisation, introduced gradually from the 2025-26 academic year, includes subjects on Christ as mediator and saviour, creation and eschatology, the Eucharist, the Church, Trinitarian theology, pneumatology, ecumenical theology, Christianity and other religions, and the Second Vatican Council. The moral specialisation includes fundamental moral theology, bioethics, the social doctrine of the Church, marriage and family, and the history of spirituality.

In other countries and traditions the equivalent routes are a master's degree or a research doctorate in theology or divinity with a concentration in systematic or doctrinal theology. Names and lengths differ by institution, so check each programme.

Where to study it

SpainExchange currently lists one active school for systematic theology: the Universidad de Navarra, in Pamplona, Spain. Its Faculty of Theology is an ecclesiastical faculty, and the study plans are published in Spanish.

According to the university, the Bachiller, Licenciado and Doctor degrees of the faculty have civil effects in Spain at the generic levels of grado, máster and doctor. Each student has to apply for that civil recognition. Students who plan to use the degree in another country should ask the education authority there how it is recognised.

Because the subject is normally part of a wider theology degree, it is worth searching under theology, biblical theology and religious studies as well.

Careers

The Licentiate and the Doctorate are the degrees the Catholic Church uses to prepare people for teaching and research in seminaries and faculties. Other graduates work in ordained or lay ministry, in teaching religion, in chaplaincy, in church organisations and in religious publishing. Outside church settings, the degree trains skills in reading demanding texts, argument and writing that are also used in education, publishing and the non-profit sector. No official employment statistics are published for this specialisation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between systematic and dogmatic theology?

Dogmatic theology studies the doctrines of the faith. Systematic theology is the wider term: at the Universidad de Navarra it covers two licentiate specialisations, one in dogmatic theology and one in moral theology.

How long does it take to specialise in systematic theology?

In a Catholic faculty the specialisation is the second cycle. At the Universidad de Navarra it takes two academic years (120 ECTS credits) after the five-year Bachiller en Teología.

Do I need Latin?

For the licentiate at the Universidad de Navarra, yes: the faculty requires a sufficient knowledge of Latin and tests students when they start the cycle. Greek and Hebrew are required only for the biblical specialisation.

Is an ecclesiastical theology degree recognised by the Spanish state?

The Universidad de Navarra states that the Bachiller, Licenciado and Doctor degrees of its Faculty of Theology have the civil effects of the grado, máster and doctor levels. The student has to request the recognition.