The Catholic University of America School of Canon Law, located in Washington, DC, is America's only ecclesiastical faculty of canon law. The university's School of Canon Law prepares students to practice canon law in several areas: diocesan and religious administration, ecclesiastical tribunals and teaching. The study of the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church leads to the Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) and the Doctor of Canon Law (J.C.D.). Clergy, religious and lay persons are prepared for service to the Church in situations of canonical responsibility. Because canon law's documents are in Latin, the student must have the ability to use canonical Latin. If the student is not fluent in Latin, courses in that language must be taken. The candidate for the licentiate writes a thesis and takes a comprehensive and an oral examination. A candidate for the doctorate writes and defends a dissertation.
St. Paul University, in Ottawa, Ontario, is a Catholic and bilingual institution founded in 1848. St. Paul's intention is to promote teaching, research and profession formation. St. Paul University and the University of Ottawa cooperate in teaching and recognizing each other's courses. St. Paul has been conferring ecclesiastical degrees since 1889. Their Faculty of Canon Law, distinct from the Faculty in Theology, was established in 1929 and was updated in 2004. The school offers a Bachelor's, Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law. It also grants graduate certificates in canonical practice, and ecclesiastical administration. There is a Master's and a Ph.D, in Canon Law. Latin is offered for those who need it. The university, following John Paul II's wishes, trains students to hold special ecclesiastical offices and to advise bishops and religious communities.
St. Thomas and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles collaborated in 2008 to form a program offering canon law during the summer months that aids students in obtaining a Licentiate in Canon Law. The program is a "collaboration of pastoral care for the education and formation of those in administrative and Judicial ministries." The students can receive the licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum). Italian and Latin are needed by the students because the Angelicum's classes are taught in Italian. Students will finish their studies at the Angelicum.
The American College of the Immaculate Conception in Leuven, Belgium, was founded in 1857. The bishops of the U.S. wanted to train European missionary priests in North America. The university's primary mission today is the formation of priests with missionary spirit as it always has been. The school now offers degrees in theology, philosophy, and canon law. Sabbaticals for priests, religious and lay ministers of the Catholic Church are available. Degrees (STL, STD, MA, Ph.D.) in theology, philosophy and canon law are awarded to priests, deacon, religious and lay people. In 2011 the cost was $14,600 a year. The graduate students have private rooms with the essentials.