USI Università della Svizzera italiana

Master of Arts in Comparative Canon and Ecclesiastical Law

The second-level degree or Master of Arts in Comparative Canon and Ecclesiastical Law, issued from the FTL-USI, it stands out for the originality of the proposals compared to study courses of other universities, above all for the attention given to theological training in a comparative perspective.

The title of Master of Arts can be obtained, once all the exams have been passed (including the theological-philosophical two-year exams where necessary), upon reaching 120 Ects ​​(European Credit Transfer System).

Currently the Master offers two specialization addresses:

• Comparative Canon Law : course which provides for the study of canon law in comparison with the law of other Christian confessions, as well as the primary elements of the juridical structures of other monotheistic religions.
• Comparative Law of Religions : address which provides for the careful study of the juridical systems of religions, also different from the Catholic Christian one.

On 21 April 2021, the Council of State of the Republic and Canton Ticino ratified the affiliation of the FTL to the University of Italian Switzerland (USI).

The close proximity of the FTL to USI - strengthened over the years thanks to the sharing of training programs, research and academic procedures - has led to the decision to also get closer on an institutional level, in order to favor further future synergies. Prior to this governmental decision, the FTL received institutional accreditation from the Swiss Accreditation Council in 2005 and 2013. On 24 September 2021, the attestation of good quality in research, teaching and services was confirmed both at the Swiss level and at the ecclesiastical level (thanks to a recent agreement with the Agency of the Holy See for the Evaluation and Promotion of the Quality of Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties – AVEPRO).

Following the affiliation, institutional accreditation is now proposed and conducted by USI itself in collaboration with the FTL, since the FTL's procedures and services related to academic quality assurance are integrated.