LAUREA. – It is the title conferred after attending the courses of a university faculty and passing the respective examinations through public defense (in Italian universities) and the publication of the thesis known as the *laurea* (in Italian and ecclesiastical universities, with the exception of the three sections of sacred music).
The *laurea* awarded by Italian universities is an exclusively academic title, as it does not, without a specific habilitation examination, grant access to teaching or the practice of a profession.
Following the apostolic constitution *Deus scientiarum Dominus* of 24 May 1931 and the attached *Ordinazioni* of the Sacred Congregation of Studies and Universities (12 June 1931), in ecclesiastical sciences the *laurea* is conferred in the following disciplines: theology (after a course of at least five years); philosophy (four years); canon law (three years); *utrumque ius* (four years); Sacred Scripture (a minimum of two years after obtaining the licentiate, which can only be obtained after two years of study); Oriental sciences (three years); Christian archaeology (three years); ecclesiastical history (three years); missiology (three years); Gregorian chant (three years); composition of sacred music (five years); organ (four years).
Even in ecclesiastical matters, the so-called *laurea honoris causa* is awarded, but only by express concession of the Holy See, to be granted case by case (art. 40 of the aforementioned constitution). The right to confer the *laurea* is reserved exclusively to universities and faculties approved by the Holy See (can. 1377 §1, art. 6 of the aforementioned constitution). The *laurea* constitutes the highest academic degree and therefore cannot validly be conferred before the licentiate (v.) in the respective discipline (art. 39); it must always be awarded in the name of the reigning Supreme Pontiff, or, during a vacancy, in the name of the Holy See (art. 35 of the constitution).
In addition to the faculties dependent on the Holy See, there are in some countries state-recognized theological faculties; these do not exist in Italy, though the Italian State, in accordance with art. 40 of the Concordat, recognizes *laureae* in theology awarded by faculties approved by the Holy See, even for scholastic purposes.
The *laurea*, in addition to the right to teach and the title of doctor, entails the privilege of wearing a ring with a gem and the doctoral cap with four tassels, though not during sacred functions. Furthermore, laureates enjoy preference over others, under equal conditions, in the selection for various ecclesiastical offices (can. 1378).
The *laurea* previously required or at least desired in canons 331 §1 n. 3 (for episcopal appointments), 320 §2 (abbots and prelates *nullius*), 367 §1 (vicars general), 396 §3 (first dignity in the cathedral chapter), 399 §1 (theologian canon and penitentiary), 404 §2 (canons), 434 §2 (capitular vicars), 1366 §1 (professors of theological, philosophical, and juridical disciplines), 1573 §4 (officials and vice-officials), 1589 §1 (promoter of justice and defender of the bond), 1657 §2 (advocates), is now, by right, supplanted solely by the respective licentiate, in accordance with the declaration of the Sacred Congregation of Studies and Universities of 23 May 1948. It remains necessary, however, for professors at universities and faculties that have the right to confer academic degrees; moreover, for auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota, the *laurea in utroque iure* is indispensable, in accordance with can. 1598 §2.