🏛️ Master of Canon Law (MCL)

Duration: 2–3 years (60–72 credit hours)

Delivery: 100% Online or hybrid, or residential

Awarding Institution: GEA UNIVERSITY OF SAN MARCO

🎓 Dual-Track Structure of the Master of Canon Law (MCL)

Affiliation/Accreditiation: 

This Master of Canon Law (MCL) is canonically accredited by the Thanksgiving Church of Great Spirit (Saint Petersburg, Florida, US).

📄 Statement of Alignment – Master of Canon Law (MCL)

The Master of Canon Law (MCL) program is not currently accredited by any regional or national accrediting body. However, the curriculum has been strategically developed to align with the academic and regulatory standards of the following institutions and frameworks:

• Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) guidelines for postsecondary programs
• State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) principles for distance education delivery
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) expectations for graduate theological education
• United States Department of Education (USDE) requirements regarding program structure and regulatory compliance (e.g., Title IV readiness, FERPA, ADA)
• Regional accreditation criteria (such as those set by SACSCOC or MSCHE) concerning academic rigor, student learning outcomes, and institutional effectiveness
• Ecclesiastical norms set forth by the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and the Facoltà di Diritto Canonico San Pio X in Venice for Canon Law instruction

While no formal accreditation is claimed, this alignment ensures that the MCL program maintains a high standard of academic and ecclesiastical integrity, positioning it for future recognition and institutional collaboration. Students and institutions are encouraged to consult their own accrediting or ecclesiastical authorities regarding recognition, transferability, or canonical equivalency.

To ensure a future broadest recognition, the academic integrity, and legal compliance, the MCL program is designed with two complementary tracks:

🔹 Track 1: Ecclesiastical Canon Law Track

Aligned with:

• Università Pontificia Gregoriana (Rome)
• Facoltà di Diritto Canonico San Pio X (Venice)
• Veritatis Gaudium (Apostolic Constitution governing ecclesiastical universities)

Purpose:

This track delivers a rigorous formation in Canon Law according to the norms and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. It prepares students to serve as:

• Canon lawyers (Licentiati in Iure Canonico or JCL-equivalent)
• Tribunal officials (judges, defenders of the bond, auditors)
• Diocesan chancellors, vicars, or canonical advisors

Content Highlights:

• 1983 Code of Canon Law (CIC)
• Roman jurisprudence and canonical hermeneutics
• Matrimonial canon law and tribunal praxis
• Canonical Latin

Why this Track Exists:

To maintain fidelity with the Roman ecclesiastical academic tradition, this track aligns with the standards required for degrees recognized by the Holy See. It is essential for students aiming to work in diocesan or Roman canonical structures or pursue a JCD.

🔸 Track 2: U.S. Regulatory Compliance Track

The curriculum is designed to be aligned with the Standard of:

• Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) guidelines
• State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) guidelines
• U.S. Department of Education (Title IV compliance) requirements
• Regional accrediting bodies (e.g., SACSCOC, MSCHE) guidelines
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) guidelines

Purpose:

This track ensures that the curriculum complies with civil academic and legal standards in the United States. 

It prepares students for roles in:

• Higher education administration
• Religious legal consulting (within the U.S. framework)
• Accrediting bodies or theological education governance
• Compliance and policy roles in church-affiliated institutions

Content Highlights:

• U.S. education law (Title IX, FERPA, ADA)
• Accreditation and institutional assessment
• Instructional design and online education compliance
• Legal frameworks for religious institutions in the U.S.

Why this Track Exists:

While Canon Law is ecclesiastical, any degree-granting institution in the U.S. must meet state and federal requirements for academic standards. 

This track ensures this curriculum is aligned with:

• Programmatic legitimacy of regional accreditation guidelins
• Title IV federal guidelines
• Credibility and transferability (credits transfer depend only by the receiving Atheneum)
• SARA reciprocity guidelines requirements for online instruction across states

⚖️ Summary: Two Tracks, One Unified Degree

Both tracks are integrated into a single degree plan, ensuring students meet the curriculum design expectations of both Church and State.

🔹 Program Structure

1. Core Canon Law Curriculum (Aligned with Italian Università Gregoriana and San Pio X)

Total: 42 credit hours

2. Federal and Regional Curriculum Track (18–24 credits)

Purpose: To align the MCL with U.S. educational standards required by Federal Title IV, regional accreditors (e.g., SACSCOC, MSCHE), and ABHE.

🎓 Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
• Interpret and apply canon law to ecclesiastical structures and cases.
• Serve as tribunal officers, canonical advisors, or diocesan officials.
• Understand and operate within U.S. educational regulatory frameworks.

🛡️ Compliance Overview

• Curriculum includes biblical integration, ethical conduct, and student learning assessment.
• Curriculum designed to be in compliance standards with ABHE standards for graduate theological education.

Federal Law (U.S. Dept. of Education)

• Title IV-eligible structure (student aid compliant).
• ADA, FERPA, Title IX policies enforced.

Regional Standards

• Curriculum designed to be in compliance with Regional standards: Demonstrated rigor, mission alignment, assessment plans, and faculty qualifications.

Pontifical Alignment (Gregoriana & San Pio X)

• Conforms to the norms of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium. 
  
• Thesis must follow Roman ecclesiastical formatting

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📘 Canon Law Core Curriculum (Prefix: CAN / REL / THE)

📙 Compliance With Regional/Federal Track (Prefixes: EDU, LAW, THE)