9 Best Theology and Religious Studies in Italy for 2024

The Master in Sacred Art aims at offering theoretical and practical training in the field of sacred and religious art. This sector, deeply rooted in Italian culture and tradition constitutes a significant percentage of the Italian artistic heritage. The three specializations to choose from for the Master are Painting, Sculpture, and Goldsmithing.

The Doctoral Program in Spiritual Theology, with a minimum duration of two years, offers the student the possibility of writing a dissertation on a specific area of Spiritual Theology under the guidance of one of the professors of the Department. This program also prepares the students for teaching at the University level.

The Superior Institute of Religious Sciences Mater Ecclesiae, connected to the Faculty of Theology of the PUST, is a school of theological training where one trains to think about faith, to exercise believing reason. Since the commitment to think, to love, to hope is necessarily exercised in harmony with the places and times in which believers live the human and religious experience, the Mater Ecclesiae Institute is attentive to the need to give a universal breath to the activity of Training; this is guaranteed by the international character of the staff of the Institute's teachers and students. The Mater Ecclesiae is interested in current or frontier religious and cultural issues, in order to foster mutual understanding between Christians, between them and those belonging to other religions, between believers and people who are in search of the truth. Therefore, in addition to the courses provided for the formation of men and women religious, catechists, pastoral workers, courses of ongoing formation and/or theological-pastoral updating, or of an intercultural or interreligious nature, are offered.

The third cycle is a specialized research track mainly targeted to those who wish to teach and do university research.

The Pontifical Pastoral Institute “Redemptor Hominis” trains and specializes students in pastoral theology: both in its fundamental themes (identity and method) and in relation to some specific areas of ecclesial activity. In particular, it prepares future teachers for teaching in seminaries and theological institutes as well as pastoral workers who are experts in the various fields of ecclesial life. In view of a missionary renewal of the Church, the Institute pays particular attention to the themes of the Social Doctrine of the Church, the pastoral and health care; and the dialogue between theology, social and human sciences.

This programme explores the major religious traditions in the world, including Hinduism and Buddhism, the religions of China and Japan, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The student should focus on the academic study of religion, with particular attention to: common dimensions of religious experience; the interplay between religion and culture; the theoretical analysis of religious belief and experience; religious expression in myth, ritual, symbol and social organization; religious responses to archetypal problems of human experience.

A Master's Degree in Religious Studies focuses on the academic examination of religions in their historical, cultural, and social context. The program integrates the comparative study of religious traditions, theology, religious anthropology, philosophy of religion, and biblical studies. Students explore themes such as mythology, rituals, religious ethics, and theories of religion. It includes practical experiences such as academic research, participation in conferences, and field studies. Graduates find employment in research institutes, religious education, academic publishing, media, and intercultural organizations, contributing to the understanding and interreligious dialogue in the global context.

The course explores the cultural and religious diversity of the world, analyzing spiritual traditions, sacred texts, and the impact of religions on society. Students acquire interdisciplinary skills, preparing for careers in education, intercultural dialogue, non-governmental organizations, and research.

This program delves into the comparative study of religions in their historical, cultural, and sociological context. Students explore theologies, mythologies, rituals, and the socio-political impacts of religions in the contemporary world. The course prepares professionals for careers in university teaching, academic research, intercultural consulting, and religious mediation, contributing to the understanding of global religious dynamics and promoting interreligious dialogue and cultural understanding.