The purpose of doctoral studies in the field of Practical and Ecumenical Theology and Theological Ethics is for students to cultivate, in the usual way for advanced studies, their ability to think theologically and to deepen their knowledge of the theological tradition in its ecumenical, practical, and ethical dimensions on an expert level. Students learn to critically analyze and reflect on the knowledge acquired and methods used in their field and to interpret them both in their own specific contexts and in the interdisciplinary settings of contemporary scholarly knowledge. Depending on the subject of their dissertation project, their studies are focused on the relevant specialization in the field of ecumenical or practical theology (for example, homiletics, catechetics, poimenics, practical ecclesiology, hymnology, or missiology), or on theological ethics or Christian social work (diaconia). At the same time, however, they retain the appropriate breadth of vision and interdisciplinary orientation that pertains to all branches of theology.

There are numerous ethical issues in every field of human activity. The aim of this programme is to critically reflect on these issues, whilst applying ethics as a philosophical discipline. Students of Applied Ethics will acquire skills in analytical thinking and qualitative research methods. They will be able to hierarchically organize, evaluate and propose solutions to dilemmas or situations requiring ethical insight in their profession, using the theoretical and practical knowledge obtained during this programme.

The programme in International and Public Law, Ethics and Economics for Sustainable Development - LEES delves into law, ethics, and economics to address Sustainable Development Goals. It examines legal boundaries, redefines social well-being and distributive justice, and designs multi-level institutions for sustainability. It explores strategic litigation, economic analysis, and collective rational choice models to promote institutional change and social norms conformity.

Students in this concentration focus on a comparison of two or more theological approaches to topics in the field of ethics.

Students in this concentration apply the resources of religious and theological traditions to the study of beauty – in its enrapturing power, in its perception as graceful manifestation of divine truth and goodness, and in its presentation as art.

The Ethics concentration prepares students to contextualize the major figures in the development of ethics and social theory, to interrelate ethics with a secondary concentration, to do research, and to construct an ethical argument.

Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value, an international research team affiliated with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, invites graduates in philosophy and neighbouring disciplines to apply for an internationally open PhD scholarship.

The Theology, Ethics, and Philosophy course of study at Boston University School of Theology support work in theology and ethics that is historically engaged, philosophically-informed, interdisciplinary, and transformative for scholarship and religious life communities.

Through a transdisciplinary curriculum that includes shared seminars in a diverse learning community and individualized work within the humane education specialization that links human rights, animal protection, environmental ethics, and change-making, you will be able to develop doctoral research skills to pursue solutions to local and global problems.