Arts & Humanities

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Systematic Theology) — STL

The Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Systematic Theology) is an ecclesiastical postgraduate degree awarded by the Faculty of Theology of the Jesuits in Africa and Madagascar (FTJAM), erected by Pope Francis in 2017. The programme provides advanced training in systematic theology, enabling graduates to teach theology in seminaries and Catholic faculties. Students engage deeply with Catholic doctrinal tradition, systematic theological methods, and contemporary theological issues.

The curriculum covers advanced systematic theology, including trinitarian theology, Christology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology, and theological anthropology. Students study the history of theological thought, engage with contemporary theological debates, and develop research skills through thesis writing. The programme includes a teaching practicum component, giving students experience teaching at the bachelor's level.

The Licentiate in Sacred Theology is a specialised ecclesiastical degree that grants the 'license' to teach theology in Catholic seminaries and faculties. The programme serves the Catholic Church's need for qualified theology teachers in Africa and Madagascar. Hekima University College, as a Jesuit institution, provides specialised training rooted in the Ignatian tradition of theological scholarship.

The programme combines coursework with research and teaching practice. Students attend advanced theology seminars, engage with primary theological texts, conduct independent research, and write a licentiate thesis. Teaching methods include seminars, tutorials, research supervision, and a teaching practicum. The programme is offered on a full-time basis with blended learning options.

Graduates work as theology lecturers in seminaries, Catholic university colleges, and theological faculties. The licentiate qualification enables graduates to teach theology at the tertiary level within the Catholic Church's educational system. The programme supports careers in theological education, research, and pastoral leadership.

This programme is ideal for Catholic priests, religious, and lay leaders seeking advanced theological qualifications and the license to teach theology. The programme provides advanced skills for theological scholarship, teaching, and pastoral leadership.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 310,375
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Blended
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: Master

What you study

8 subjects

Systematic Theology
Trinitarian Theology
Christology
Ecclesiology
Sacramental Theology
Theological Anthropology
History of Theological Thought
Theological Research Methods

Modules

5 in the programme

Advanced Systematic Theology I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Advanced study of trinitarian theology and Christology, engaging with classical and contemporary theological positions.
Theological Anthropology and Grace
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of theological anthropology, grace, and the human person in Catholic theological tradition.
Ecclesiology and Sacramental Theology
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Advanced study of the Church and sacraments, including contemporary ecclesiological developments and sacramental theology.
Theological Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methodology for theological scholarship, including source criticism, theological argumentation, and thesis writing.
Licentiate Thesis and Teaching Practicum
Year 2Semester 112 creditsCore
Independent research and writing of the licentiate thesis, combined with a teaching practicum at the bachelor's level.

Specialisations

Trinitarian and Christological Theology
Focus on advanced study of the Trinity, Christology, and the person of Christ in Catholic theological tradition.
Ecclesiology
Focus on the theology of the Church, including contemporary ecclesiological developments and ecumenical dialogue.
Sacramental Theology
Focus on the theology of sacraments, liturgical theology, and sacramental practice in the Catholic tradition.

A day as a student

A typical day combines seminar discussions with independent research and teaching practice. Students engage with primary theological texts, participate in advanced seminars on systematic theology, discuss contemporary theological issues, and develop their licentiate thesis. The teaching practicum provides experience in teaching theology at the bachelor's level. The programme emphasises rigorous theological scholarship, critical engagement with tradition, and preparation for teaching ministry.

The trade offs

In its favour

The STL grants the ecclesiastical license to teach theology in Catholic seminaries and faculties.
Offered at Hekima University College, a Jesuit institution with strong theological tradition and FTJAM affiliation.
St. Ignatius Scholarship available for African women theologians.

Against it

Offered at only one institution in Kenya, limiting accessibility.
Career opportunities are primarily within Catholic educational institutions, which may have limited positions.
Requires prior theological education and ecclesiastical approval for enrolment.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private190k to 310k

190k at Tangaza University310k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 220.5K, CUEA 310.4K, Tangaza 190K/yr verified. Maseno unverified.

St. Ignatius Scholarship for Women Theologians is available for African women (Religious or Lay) to study towards the Master of Theology or Licentiate in Sacred Theology at Hekima. HELB loans may be available for eligible Kenyan students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

2 recorded

St. Ignatius Scholarship for Women Theologians
Scholarship
African women (Religious or Lay) studying towards Master of Theology or Licentiate in Sacred Theology at Hekima University College
HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in postgraduate programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor of Theology, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), or equivalent theological qualification from a recognised institution. At least two years of philosophy study. Ecclesiastical approval may be required for Catholic religious and lay candidates.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Seminars
Written examination30% of the mark
Coursework assessments, seminar presentations, and theological papers evaluating systematic theology understanding.
Teaching Practicum
Practical20% of the mark
A teaching practicum at the bachelor's level, evaluating teaching competence in theology.
Licentiate Thesis Defence
Project50% of the mark
A licentiate thesis demonstrating original theological research, defended before an ecclesiastical examination panel.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) through CUEA/Hekima University College. The ecclesiastical degree is awarded by the Faculty of Theology of the Jesuits in Africa and Madagascar (FTJAM), erected by Pope Francis in 2017.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by CUE through CUEA/Hekima University College. Ecclesiastical degree awarded by FTJAM, erected by Pope Francis in 2017.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

3 roles

Theology Lecturer
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Teaches theology in Catholic seminaries, university colleges, and theological faculties across Africa.
Seminary Professor
Low demand
Teaches systematic theology in Catholic seminaries, forming future priests and religious leaders.
Pastoral Leader
Moderate demand
Provides theological leadership in dioceses, religious orders, and Catholic institutions, applying advanced theological training.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as theology lecturers in seminaries, Catholic university colleges, and theological faculties across Africa and Madagascar.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

The Licentiate in Sacred Theology is the same as a Master of Theology.
While both are offered together at Hekima, the STL is an ecclesiastical degree granting the license to teach in Catholic faculties, while the MTh is a civil academic degree.
The STL is only for Jesuits.
The programme is open to Catholic priests, religious, and lay leaders from various religious orders and dioceses across Africa and Madagascar.
An ecclesiastical degree is not recognised academically.
The STL is recognised by CUE and is equivalent to a master's degree in the Kenyan university education system.
Theology degrees have no practical career application.
The STL specifically grants the license to teach theology in Catholic seminaries and faculties, making it a professional qualification for theological educators.