Duration and Focus

The duration of formation in a Catholic seminary affiliated with a local university typically spans several years. Philosophy studies usually last four years, laying the intellectual foundation. The focus is holistic: academic excellence, spiritual growth, pastoral training, and personal discipline. Seminarians engage in rigorous coursework, research, and prayer, integrating university standards with ecclesial formation. This dual emphasis ensures candidates are prepared both academically and spiritually, capable of serving the Church and the State with wisdom, compassion, and fidelity to Catholic tradition.

Philosophy

The philosophy underlying the B.Phil. and BA. The degree Programme in Philosophy aims to produce skilled, competent, and versatile scholars capable of facing a broad spectrum of challenges in the field of philosophy and related disciplines. To draw from current trends, developments, and innovations of philosophical reasoning styles and culture to develop skills that will provide lasting solutions that are environmentally, socially, and culturally responsive, not only in the public and private sectors but in encouraging development and progress both nationally and globally. This is aimed at integrating contemporary issues in the local society and the global environment. It intends to produce scholars who are not only intellectually, socially, and culturally competent but who can understand, interpret, and fulfill the diverse needs of the 21st century and beyond. This goal is achieved through the provision of a solid foundation for the student in the traditional quadrivium of philosophy, namely:

1. Epistemology and metaphysics


2. History of philosophy


3. Logic


4. Values (including ethics, aesthetics, social and political philosophy)

Program and Objectives

The B.Phil., and B. A Degree Programme in Philosophy will de-emphasise abstractions and system building and seek instead to bridge the gap between academic/professional philosophy and social practice in Nigeria, especially and Africa as a whole. The objectives of the programme are, among others, to:

1. Seek to discover and /or create and establish the specifically African contribution to global philosophy;


2. Take cognizance of the existence of other “philosophies” and introduce the student to them, for example, Oriental Philosophies, comprising Chinese Philosophy, Indian Philosophy, etc, and


3. Run courses that would be of interest to other departments and disciplines as a way of encouraging an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of philosophy and of recognising the wide-ranging nature of the subject, for instance, the philosophy of science, philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy of history, philosophy of law, etc.

Unique Features of the Programme

Among the unique features of the Programme are:

1. Recognition and emphasis on the historical origins of philosophy, from ancient to modern times, in Europe, Asia, and Africa;


2. Emphasis on the core areas of philosophy, such as logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, as practised by top universities of the world;


3. A recognition of the ubiquitous character of philosophy by inclusion of courses such as the philosophy of science, philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy of language, philosophy of religion, philosophy of law, philosophy of history, etc.


4. Shift of emphasis from pure, speculative, and analytical philosophy to practical or applied philosophy and discussions relevant to the realities of contemporary life; eg, Research and teaching courses in applied or practical ethics, philosophy of law, social and political philosophy, etc.


5. Domestication of western philosophy; with the introduction of courses in African philosophy and research into indigenous Nigerian thought systems, at all levels of the programme; and


6. The long essay, as a project that inculcates in the student the skills and techniques of research, information gathering, organisation of ideas, project-writing, referencing, bibliographing, etc.

Employability Skills

Unlike some other programmes, philosophy does not equip the student with any specific vocational skills. Instead, it trains him or her to think critically and, by doing so, aids his or her adaptation to vocations and professions that are difficult for others to access. That is what adds value to the employability status of a philosophy graduate.

21st Century Skills

The capacity to think and reason critically is the focus of philosophy, and it is an attribute that is fundamental to the intellectual development of man. This fact is not time-bound; it has never changed over the years, and it is not likely to change in the years to come. However, human society has experienced technological innovations, especially in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Literacy, etc., generally referred to as 21st-century skills. These innovations are the product of the creative human mind, cultivated and nurtured by the tools of philosophy.

Conditions of Degree Award

In a Catholic seminary affiliated with a secular university, degrees are awarded only when seminarians meet both ecclesiastical formation requirements and the academic standards of the university. This means candidates must satisfy the Church’s expectations for priestly formation while also fulfilling the university’s criteria for graduation.

Seminarians must complete the ecclesiastical curriculum (philosophy, theology, pastoral training, spiritual formation) and also meet the university’s academic regulations, such as credit hours, examinations, and research requirements.

Accreditation and Affiliation

The seminary’s affiliation is governed by Vatican norms (e.g., Veritatis Gaudium and the 2020 Instruction on Affiliation of Institutes of Higher Studies), which require proper oversight, qualified faculty, and adherence to Catholic identity.

At the same time, the secular university ensures that the seminary’s programs meet national accreditation standards (e.g., Nigeria’s National Universities Commission for affiliated institutions).

Academic Excellence: Candidates must demonstrate competence in philosophy, theology, and religious studies through coursework, examinations, and sometimes a thesis or dissertation. The university sets grading and progression rules that seminarians must follow.

Spiritual & Pastoral Formation: Beyond academics, seminarians must show growth in prayer life, pastoral skills, and moral integrity. The seminary rector and formation team evaluate readiness for ordination, which is distinct from the university’s academic award.

Integration of Standards: The seminary ensures that ecclesial formation (spiritual direction, retreats, pastoral placements) is harmonized with university requirements (attendance, research, defense of projects). Only when both are satisfied is the degree conferred.

Writing Research Projects as a condition

In a Catholic seminary that partners with a local university, the research project requirement serves both academic and spiritual formation purposes.

• Academic Integration: The project aligns with university standards, ensuring seminarians meet scholarly expectations in theology, philosophy, or pastoral studies.


• Formation of Discipline: Writing a research project cultivates intellectual rigor, critical thinking, and fidelity to truth—qualities essential for priestly ministry.


• Spiritual Dimension: Research is not merely academic; it is undertaken prayerfully, to deepen understanding of faith and service to the Church.


• Evaluation: Successful completion is often a condition for graduation, ordination readiness, or advancement in studies, demonstrating competence in both academic and ecclesial contexts.


• Collaboration: Affiliation with the university provides access to broader resources, faculty expertise, and recognition of the seminary’s academic credibility.

Requirements

The admission requirement for philosophy is five Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) credit passes in relevant subject areas, including English Language. An acceptable UTME score is also required.

Direct Entry
For Direct Entry Students, Five SSC (or its equivalent) credit passes, two of which must be at an advanced level, an Ordinary diploma with upper credit, or an NCE obtained with a merit level pass.

For the seminary especially:
A seminarian obtains admission into the philosophy department if he is sent by his local ordinary, has good morals, and possesses basic requirements corresponding to admission requirements into Nigerian universities

Transfer Students
Transfer of students who have satisfied O-level requirements and a minimum CGPA of 2.40 in the department of Philosophy from any certified university or seminary in Nigeria or abroad is eligible for a transfer into the 200 level.

Graduation Requirements
Philosophy requirements for graduation are the same as those stipulated for other Arts disciplines. A student shall qualify for the award of a degree when he/she has:

1. Completed and passed all the courses he/she registered for, including all compulsory courses and required/elective courses as may be offered by the University/Faculty;


2. Obtained a minimum CGPA of not less than 2.0;


3. Earned the minimum credit units of not less than 120;


4. Meet other requirements that may be prescribed by the Department, the Academic Council, and the Bishop-proprietors of the seminary.

Lecture Period

All lectures in the seminary are compulsory, due to the formative role they play in the life of the future catholic priests. In addition to the classroom courses, every seminarian should attend and participate actively in the seminars, conferences, and symposia. The courses for the award of a degree in Philosophy are arranged to cover a four-year (8 semesters) programme. The whole academic programme must help the seminarians to manifest the ability of written and oral expressions, the capability for independent research, good use of the principles of scientific methodology, and proper motivation towards graduate studies. During the lectures, the whole atmosphere must be oriented towards a holistic formation of a future catholic priest, bearing in mind the different branches of formation exercise, viz: Human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and rules of general disciplines.

Classroom Decorum

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.

Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Examination

All courses taught during one semester are examined at the end of that semester, and students will be credited with the number of units assigned to the courses for which they have passed the examination. The examination timetable is arranged so that the examinations are taken. The Examination and Records Office, in liaison with the secretaries of the Head of Department, produces the final examination timetable and circulates the same to all the lecturers and classes not later than one month before the commencement of the examinations. All examinations are held in halls and rooms approved by the Academic Council. The invigilation of the examination is the responsibility of the lecturers. The Head of Department is responsible for this and, after the examination, is required to submit an appropriate report on the conduct of the examination to the Academic Council and the Quality Assurance Committee. All courses taken by a student are used in the computation of his Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The final grade where a course that is carried over or repeated for whatever reason is the average of all grades. To compute the Grade Point Average for a candidate, the total aggregate of the Grade Points is divided by the number of semester units. A Grade Point is obtainable by multiplying the point(s) scored in each course by the number of semester units assigned to that course. Please see examples in Table 5.1 of this handbook. To compute the Cumulative Grade Point Average for a candidate at the end of the second semester, his total aggregate points for the two semesters are added and divided by the total number of semester units taken during the academic year. Other areas of examination are explained in this handbook.

1. Each invigilator shall collect the question papers and answer scripts from the office of the HOD, 30 minutes before the examination. However, the examiner should be at the examination hall 20 minutes before the examination starts.


2. Examinations are expected to start normally at the time on the timetable. The schedule for the examinations must be followed conscientiously. Examination question papers are to be opened in the presence of the candidates, who should already be seated in their respective positions fifteen minutes ahead of time.


3. No student should enter the examination hall or room with any paper. Question papers and answer scripts shall be provided by the institution.


4. No candidate is allowed to enter the examination hall 30 minutes after the commencement of a particular examination. On the other hand, no candidate may leave the hall earlier than 30 minutes before the end of the examination.


5. The invigilators shall walk around the examination room periodically, and at the expiration of the time, they collect the answer scripts.

1. STUDENT'S MALPRACTICES: Any examination Malpractice must be reported to the HOD, who will, in turn, report the matter to the Rector, and the Academic Council will eventually pronounce the punishment, which is immediate expulsion. Examination malpractices are unfair practices or falsehoods that damage the integrity of a future priest and infringe on the regulations of Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri. These include, but are not limited to, copying from a fellow student, candidates bringing into the examination hall papers and books or materials relevant for cheating purposes, communication gadgets, all forms of communication between students during an examination, causing any form of disturbance: not observing the time regulation of the examination, and disobeying the invigilators.


2. Any staff involved in examination malpractice shall be referred to the seminary community of formators and subsequently the seminary commission.