International Institute of Tribunal Studies

Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California

Master of Tribunal Studies (M.Tr.S.)
Doctor of Tribunal Studies (D.Tr.S.)

Because of the growing shortage of canonists and qualified Tribunal staff in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere, on December 15, 2005, the Graduate Theological Foundation formally established the International Institute of Tribunal Studies and the following year elevated it to the P.R.I.M.E. category of relationship thereby allowing for degree requirements to be met completely in Los Angeles. With the endorsement of His Eminence Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, Msgr. Charles J. Chaffman serves as a member of the Executive Advisory Counsel and as Director of the Institute. The Cardinal has stated that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has much to offer the Institute, including facilities, expertise and faculty.

The Director of the International Institute for Tribunal Studies is The Rev. Msgr. Charles J. Chaffman, J.C.D. The Administrator for the Spanish Language Track of this program is Deacon Ricardo Villacorta. Both serve in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Master of Tribunal Studies

Application Fee (GTF): $40.00
Tuition (GTF): $6,250.00
Fee for each 3-credit course (IITS): $500.00 (17 courses)
Project Processing (GTF): $200.00
Graduation (GTF): $100.00

The Master of Tribunal Studies (M.Tr.S.) is a 17-course program, consisting of canonical studies and ministry competency requirements. The program also includes two supervised ministry experiences at the prospective candidate’s Tribunal and a master paper in the last two semesters demonstrating a comprehensive integration of the degree coursework. The program is academically and pastorally challenging but requires only a 1-week residency in Los Angeles each semester. Attendance at the Convocation/Graduation at the Foundation in Indiana
is not required. Each semester consists of 3 courses in the following format:

2-month pre-residency whereby students study at home with instructions from professors’ syllabi consisting of assigned readings and written assignments.
1-week intensive residency in Los Angeles for the 3 courses, from Monday to Saturday, whereby professors and students have ample opportunities for dialogue and discussion.
2-month post-residency whereby students study at home composing a major paper to be submitted to the professor.

Doctor of Tribunal Studies

Application Fee (GTF): $40.00
Tuition (GTF): $7,250.00
Fee for each 3-credit course (IITS): $500.00 (4 courses)
Thesis Supervision (GTF): $1,200.00
Thesis Processing (GTF): $250.00
Graduation (GTF): $100.00

The Doctor of Tribunal Studies (D.Tr.S.) degree program consists of four courses and a thesis written under the supervision of an approved Thesis Supervisor. A required oral defense will be given by the degree candidate in Los Angeles before a panel of four faculty members. Attendance at the Foundation’s Convocation and Graduation in Indiana is not required. The admission requirements are the same as those of the Master of Tribunal Studies program; however, prospective candidates must hold a Licentiate in Canon Law from a pontifical faculty or the Master of Tribunal Studies degree from the Foundation. Canon Law (Individual Courses) Foundation students not wishing to take the M.Tr.S. or D.Tr.S. but desiring to study theology or canon law may take one or more courses towards a Master of Theology or Doctor of Ministry from the IITS faculty. If all courses are taken from the IITS faculty in canon law, a concentration in Tribunal Studies is available in consultation with the IITS administrative staff.

For more information, please contact:
Attn: Deacon Ricardo Villacorta
Metropolitan Tribunal
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Archdiocesan Catholic Center
3424 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
IITS-GTF@hotmail.com
NOTE: Monsignor Chaffman is Professor of Tribunal Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation.

International Institute of Tribunal Studies

Master of Tribunal Studies (M.Tr.S.) Doctor of Tribunal Studies (D.Tr.S.)

Master of Tribunal Studies

Doctor of Tribunal Studies

Master of Tribunal Studies (M.Tr.S.)
Doctor of Tribunal Studies (D.Tr.S.)