1. General

I. The University may award research degrees by published work to individuals who have demonstrated a record of scholarly publication.

II. The degrees that may be awarded under this Regulation are those of Ph.D. (Pontifical Doctor of Philosophy), Th.D. (Doctor of Theology), Ed.D. (Pontifical Doctor of Education), D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters) and D.D. (Doctor of Divinity). There is also provision for the D.Mus. (Doctor of Music) to be awarded under this Regulation.

2. Standards

III. Candidates for the degree of Ph.D. by publication shall be required to meet the same standards of award as candidates for the Ph.D. by dissertation (see Regulation 3 – Research Degree Examinations). The standard expected for the Th.D., Ed.D. and D.Mus. is comparable.

IV. Candidates for the higher doctorates of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) shall be required to meet a standard substantially higher than that expected for a Ph.D. The work submitted should represent a significant, substantial and long-term contribution to the development of knowledge within a specific discipline, demonstrating that the candidate is a recognised authority in the relevant field of study.

3. Eligibility for award

V. A candidate wishing to submit for a degree by published work must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

(a) be a graduate of the University of at least 7 years’ standing
(b) hold a Master’s degree of the University of at least 6 years’ standing
(c) hold a Doctorate degree of the University of at least 5 years’ standing
(d) be a graduate of another university or equivalent institution approved for this purpose of at least eight years’ standing and have been a member of the academic staff of such university for at least three years
(e) be any other person whose work or qualifications are deemed by the Senate to be acceptable.
(f) in exceptional circumstances, a candidate pursuing a doctorate by supervision may be allowed to transfer to a doctorate by Published Work.

VI. The University may consider submissions in fields other than those where it currently offers supervision for a research degree.

4. Procedure

VII. Initially, the individual should submit the following to the Senate:

(a) a statement of the award intended
(b) a précis of the work to be submitted, not to exceed 500 words
(c) a summary list of publications intended for presentation
(d) a proposed title

VIII. The Research Degrees Committee will consider whether a prima facie case for an examination exists. The Research Degrees Committee may seek additional advice from within the University or externally.

IX. Where the Research Degrees Committee determines that a prima facie case exists, the candidate will be invited to make submission.

X. Submission will be initially for pre-cognition. The individual must submit to the Research Degrees Committee the following:

(a) a title page setting out the name of the individual and the title of the award sought
(b) details of the individual’s existing qualifications
(c) a critical commentary on the submission comprising a review of the contribution the work makes to the academic field in question (not to exceed 10,000 words)
(d) a list of publications in the order submitted
(e) copies of the published material, duly ordered

XI. The submission must be accompanied by the precognition fee which will be as advised by the University.

5. Examination

XII. The examiners will examine the work submitted, write independent reports, and where appropriate conduct an oral examination. A recommendation will be made to the Research Degrees Committee who, in turn, will make recommendation to the Senate. The identity of examiners will only be disclosed to the student where the examiner in question has given specific permission to be so identified.

XIII. Resubmission will not be permitted. Any minor revisions may relate only to the critical commentary.

XIV. On positive recommendation, the individual shall be invited to make formal application for the award in question. The formal application must be accompanied by the award fee, which will be as advised by the University.

XV. On receipt of the award fee, recommendation to make award is made to the Senate.

6. Degrees ad eundem

XVI. The University may make provision for the award of degrees ad eundem (by incorporation) in the Faculties of Theology and Church Music to persons who are graduates of another University or similar institution. It shall be usual for these persons to have an existing connexion with the University as graduates or Fellows. This provision may also be extended to those who received degrees from the branch of the University that operated between 1953 and 1979 under the late Mar Georgius of Glastonbury and that was headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Graduates of this institution are not automatically recognized as graduates of the Western Orthodox University.

XVII. Persons who are granted leave to incorporate their degrees in this manner shall have met the University’s standards for the award of the given degree. They may be required to submit to a further examination for this purpose, and to pay a fee.

XVIII. The procedure for admission to degrees ad eundem shall be as decided by the Senate in each case.

7. The degree of Doctor of Divinity

XIX. The University recognizes historical precedent from time immemorial whereby the degree of Doctor of Divinity may be supplicated for by a man who has been consecrated as a bishop within the Apostolic Succession as that concept is understood by the Catholic and Orthodox Church and who professes the Catholic and Orthodox faith.

XX. The University will confer the degree of Doctor of Divinity, jure dignitatis, upon a man who provides proof, in the form of the relevant Instruments and any other required documentation, that he has been consecrated to the episcopate in accordance with accepted Catholic and Orthodox canon law and the practice of the Catholic and Orthodox Church throughout the ages. The classification of this award is as an honorary degree.

XXI. Such conferral is not automatic, and depends upon the discretion of the University, which will also consider other aspects of the candidate’s application, such as his ministerial history and standing.

XXII. A non-refundable administration fee shall be payable by all candidates upon supplication.

XXIII. Those admitted to the degree of Doctor of Divinity under this provision may be invited to become advisors to the University.

8. The degree of Master of Christian Arts

XXIV. A holder of any Bachelor’s degree of the University being of good character and proven achievement shall, after a period of three years since their graduation, have the right to petition the University for the grant of the degree of Master of Christian Arts (or Pontifical Master of Christian Arts if preferred)  jure dignitatis. This grant is made on receipt of a nominal administration fee. This award is classified as an honorary degree.