Program Vision
To serve as a leading center of excellence in the Middle East for the study of Orthodox canon law, integrating the rich ecclesiastical tradition of the Church with contemporary legal practice in service of the church, society, and the Holy Land.
Program Mission
The program aims to prepare scholars and legal practitioners with advanced expertise in the theological, historical, and procedural foundations of Orthodox canon law, with particular emphasis on the particular law of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It equips graduates to contribute effectively to ecclesiastical administration, legal practice, and academic research.
Program General Description
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Orthodox Canon Law is an advanced academic and professional program offering a comprehensive study of the legal and normative tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Rooted in the heritage of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the program connects classical canonical sources with the contemporary legal framework of Jordan.
Students engage in a rigorous curriculum covering the development of canon law, church governance, and the application of ecclesiastical family law within ecclesiastical tribunal practice. The program emphasizes both theoretical mastery and practical legal skills relevant to ecclesiastical and civil contexts.
The degree culminates in a research-based master’s thesis, through which students demonstrate independent scholarly work and contribute to the advancement of canon law studies.
The program prepares graduates — both clergy and lay professionals — for roles as canonists, legal advisors, and ecclesiastical tribunal practitioners within the region and beyond.
Program Objectives
Objective 1:
Provide a rigorous academic foundation in Orthodox Canon Law, integrating historical tradition with contemporary legal frameworks.
Objective 2:
Prepare qualified specialists for administrative, advisory, and judicial roles within ecclesiastical institutions, particularly the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Objective 3:
Develop advanced research skills to address contemporary canonical and legal challenges, including issues related to the status quo of the Holy Land and evolving particular law of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Objective 4:
Enable students to analyze and apply canonical principles within the context of family law and personal status in Jordan and abroad.
Objective 5:
Cultivate professional integrity and sound judgment grounded in canonical tradition, including the principles of akribeia and oikonomia.
Objective 6:
Ensure alignment with national and international quality standards through a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge, practical application, and research competence.
Program Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
• PLO 1: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the historical and theological foundations of Orthodox Canon Law.
• PLO 2: Critically analyze the primary sources of canon law, including the Ecumenical Councils and patristic writings.
• PLO 3: Explain the institutional structure and governance of the Orthodox Church, especially the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
• PLO 4: Evaluate the interaction between ecclesiastical law and the Jordanian legal system, particularly in matters of personal status and family law.
Skills
• PLO 5: Apply canonical reasoning to resolve complex legal cases, balancing principles of strictness (akribeia) and pastoral flexibility (oikonomia).
• PLO 6: Perform legal drafting and manage procedures relevant to ecclesiastical tribunals, especially matrimonial cases.
• PLO 7: Conduct independent academic research using appropriate methodologies, culminating in a master’s thesis.
• PLO 8: Communicate specialized legal and theological arguments effectively in both written and oral forms.
Competencies
• PLO 9: Demonstrate leadership and ethical responsibility in ecclesiastical governance and legal practice.
• PLO 10: Exercise autonomy and accountability in professional roles within church and legal institutions.
• PLO 11: Address contemporary pastoral and legal challenges through informed and context-sensitive solutions.
• PLO 12: Engage in lifelong learning and contribute to the preservation and development of the canonical tradition of the Church.
Module Delivery Methods
Modules are delivered through various learning formats:
• F2F (Face-to-Face): Classroom-based instruction conducted on campus.
• Online:
o Synchronous: Real-time interaction with instructors via platforms such as Zoom.
o Asynchronous: Structured, instructor-guided activities and assignments delivered via platforms such as Moodle.
• Hybrid: A combination of face-to-face instruction and online learning (synchronous and/or asynchronous). Students are typically required to attend on-campus sessions for at least one week per semester.
• HyFlex (Hybrid-Flexible): A fully flexible model combining face-to-face, synchronous online, and asynchronous learning, allowing students to participate either on campus or remotely in real time.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a grade of no less than “Good” (or its equivalent). In addition, applicants must demonstrate upper-intermediate proficiency in English (CEFR level B2 or equivalent).
Degree Requirements
To be awarded the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Orthodox Canon Law, students must:
• Successfully complete coursework totaling a minimum of 24 credit hours, and
• Submit and defend a master’s thesis (9 credit hours) in accordance with institutional academic standards.
Students who do not complete the thesis requirement may be eligible for the Higher Diploma in Orthodox Canon Law upon successful completion of 24 credit hours of coursework.
Framework for Master of Art in Orthodox Canon Law (33 Credit Hours/70 ECTS)
Classification | Credit Hours |
Compulsory Modules | 24 |
Elective Modules | – |
Thesis | 9 |
Total | 33 |
Curriculum (Credit Hours)
Compulsory Modules (24 Credit Hours)
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Introduction to Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| History of Canon Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Sources and Principles of Canon Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Church Organization | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Church Governance | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Family Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Penal Sanctions and Canonical Procedure | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Particular Law of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 24 |
| ||
Elective Modules (0 Credit Hours)
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
– | – | – | – | – |
Minimum Required | – |
| ||
Thesis (9 Credit Hours)
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Thesis I | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Thesis II | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Thesis II | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 9 |
| ||
Study Plan Guide for Master of Arts in Orthodox Canon Law (33 Credit Hours)
First Year
First Semester | ||||
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Introduction to Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| History of Canon Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Sources and Principles of Canon Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 9 |
| ||
Second Semester | ||||
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Church Organization | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Church Governance | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Thesis I | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 9 |
| ||
Second Year
First Semester | ||||
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Family Law | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Penal Sanctions and Canonical Procedure | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Thesis II | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 9 |
| ||
Second Semester | ||||
Module ID | Module Name | Credit Hours | Delivery | Prerequisites |
| Particular Law of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem | 3 | Hybrid |
|
| Thesis III | 3 | Hybrid |
|
Total | 6 |
| ||
Modules Description
Introduction to Law (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Introduces the fundamental concepts of jurisprudence, legal systems, and the hierarchy of norms, with attention to the interaction between civil and religious legal frameworks.
History of Canon Law (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Traces the historical development of the Church’s legal tradition from the apostolic era to the modern period, analyzing the influence of councils, imperial legislation, and ecclesiastical practice.
Sources and Principles of Canon Law (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Examines the primary sources of canonical authority, including Scripture, conciliar canons, and patristic writings, with emphasis on interpretative principles such as akribeia and oikonomia.
Church Organization (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Analyzes the institutional structure of the Orthodox Church, including episcopacy, synodal governance, and the autocephalous system.
Church Governance (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Explores the administrative and legal functions of church authority, including leadership roles, decision- making processes, and the management of ecclesiastical affairs.
Family Law (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Studies personal status law within Orthodox and Jordanian legal contexts, including marriage and divorce, with practical relevance to ecclesiastical tribunal practice.
Penal Sanctions and Canonical Procedure (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Examines canonical offenses and disciplinary measures, alongside procedural norms governing ecclesiastical judicial processes.
Particular Law of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (3 Credit Hours/10 ECTS)
Provides a specialized study of the legal framework, traditions, and jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, including the status quo of the Holy Places.
Thesis (9 Credit Hours/30 ECTS)
Requires independent research on a specialized topic in Orthodox Canon Law. Students demonstrate methodological rigor, critical analysis, and original contribution to the field
