Postdoctoral studies (Habilitation)

The KU's Faculty of Theology has the right to award doctorates and habilitations. Building on a successfully completed doctorate in Catholic theology or in a field closely related to theology, the habilitation procedure can be completed at the Faculty of Theology with the support of a specialist mentor. The habilitation candidate must demonstrate research achievements, particularly in the form of a monograph or several individual publications (cumulative habilitation), and qualify in the field of teaching through their own courses, lectures before public or specialist audiences, and further training in university teaching. At the end of a successful habilitation procedure, the candidate is awarded a teaching qualification in a theological discipline (Dr. habil.).

Responsibilities and procedure

In accordance with the applicable General Habilitation Regulations and the subject-specific habilitation regulations, the Faculty Council, together with the subject mentor, is responsible for conducting the habilitation procedure at the Faculty of Theology. Important formal steps in the habilitation procedure are:

• Acceptance as a habilitation candidate and appointment of the subject mentor by the Faculty Council
• Conclusion of a performance agreement for qualification in research and teaching between the habilitation candidate and the subject mentor; subsequent announcement of the agreement in the Faculty Council
• Usually after two years: Review of the work already completed by the subject mentor and interim evaluation based on the performance agreement, including an assessment of whether the procedure is likely to be completed successfully; subsequent announcement of the result to the Faculty Council
• Usually after two further years, but no later than after a total of four years: Final assessment of the achievements and obtaining an external opinion by the subject mentor, followed by a recommendation to the faculty council
• Interpretation of the documents for the faculty council and subsequent decision on the determination of teaching qualifications

The application for acceptance as a habilitation candidate, the performance agreement, the results of the interim evaluation, the final assessment, and the associated documents must be submitted to the Dean's Office. Please note the regulations of the General Habilitation Regulations of the KU and the Subject-Specific Habilitation Regulations regarding the habilitation procedure.