School of Theology, Philosophy and Music Structured Doctoral Pathway 2025-2026

With 40 years of expertise, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a diverse team supervised by globally-recognised faculty members, the DCU School of Theology, Philosophy and Music is firmly embedded in the national and international research network. Much of our research involves collaboration with academic institutions, private companies and public bodies. Our structured PhD programmes enable postgraduate students to complement their research with critical skills like communication, commercialization and entrepreneurship. This document details a suggested Structured Doctoral Pathway for graduate researchers in the School of Theology, Philosophy and Music. While the main focus for each research candidate is to complete a piece of original research presented in thesis format, students are also supported in developing a range of skills and competencies through taught modules and other learning opportunities.

During the registration, all research students may take a mix of credit-bearing modules (Graduate Training Elements or GTEs), and other non-accredited education opportunities such as workshops, seminars and short courses. These opportunities provide both discipline-specific and transferable skills and knowledge to support students in their research and enhance their research qualification. Engagement in these activities is an important aspect of the graduate research experience.

Students who complete a minimum of 20 GTE credits, in addition to the 270-ECTS thesis, will be recognized as having completed a structured PhD. At least one module should be from the list of discipline-specific modules and one from the list of transferable skills modules. The modules chosen on the structured pathway should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the supervisor and progress reported on the annual PGR2 form. Students should register for their approved GTE Modules during the online registration process.

The Structured Pathway work plan for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the Supervisor and progress (including confirmation of completion of the Online Research Integrity Training Module and other modules) recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the additional training opportunities offered by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and by the School as appropriate. All students are required to attend the orientation and induction sessions organized by GSO during year one. GSO communicates details of their training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. First-year students are also required to take the Online Research Integrity Training module during year one of their studies.

Theology and Philosophy

PHE1031: Readings in Ethics - 10 ECTS Credits
PHE1032: Ethics in World Religions - 10 ECTS Credits
RET1056: Islam: A Literary & Historical Survey – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1057: Themes in Modern Theology – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1055: History of Biblical Interpretation – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1028: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1036: Introduction to Koine Greek – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1082: Literature and Theology – 10 ECTS Credits
PHE1032: Ethics in the World Religions – 10 ECTS Credits
RET1083: Comparative Environmental Theology – 10 ECTS Credits

Music

MPA1081: Conducting, Interpretation and Style - 10 ECTS Credits
MPA1083: Composition for Voices - 10 ECTS Credits
MPA1082: Creative Approaches to Text - 10 ECTS Credits

Teaching and Learning Skills

BAA1000: Strategies for Academic Writing - 5 ECTS Credits (Year 1 - 2)
HUM1020: Advanced Academic Writing in the Humanities - 5 ECTS Credits (Year 2 - 3)
PHE1034: Research Ethics - 5 ECTS Credits (Year 2 - 3)
HUM1023: Navigating the Academic Publishing Landscape - 5 ECTS Credits (Year 2 - 3)

HUM1022: Engaged Research - 10 ECTS Credits
NUR1120: Qualitative Research Methods Summer School - 5 ECTS Credits
PSK1001: Unaneen Non - Contributing Module – 5 ECTS  Credits

Year 1 - 2

• Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
• Online Research Integrity Training Module (non-accredited, compulsory)
• Postgraduate Tutor Demonstrating Programme
• Graduate Studies Office training suite

Year 1 - 3

• External: Summer school as advised by Supervisor
• Cross-School or cross-Faculty GTE relevant to research topic and selected from Faculty Lists

Year 2 - 3

• Music Research Seminars (non-accredited)
• Theology, Religious Studies, and Philosophy Research Seminars (non-accredited)

Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the School and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD.