CDU Distance Learning Formats

CDU offers four different learning formats to meet the varied needs of adult learners. The following descriptions are provided to help explain distance education and to better understand various distance learning formats.

Online Group Courses: CDU offers three-credit courses that are based on a traditional university trimester, with classes beginning in September, January, and May. Classes meet asynchronously, which means 'not at the same time', so students choose the day and time that is most convenient for them to log into their course rooms. Each course is formatted into a series of 12-weekly lessons and is followed by a proctored final exam. Most three-credit courses also require a term paper.

Research shows that interactive group classes offer the optimal learning environment. Unique to CDU is our courseroom design, which encourages interaction with the professor and other students. Each course room provides the atmosphere of a classroom. There is a weekly lecture presented for students to read (and, in some courses, hear). A discussion area provides space for students to post questions and responses that address the week's lecture. The courseroom is open 24/7, which means that students can study at those times that best fit their schedules.

Online Seminars: These 3-week seminars are offered for credit and non-credit. Students read the weekly lectures and respond to weekly questions posted by the course instructor. Non-credit students complete a one-page reflection paper at the end of the seminar. Final term papers are required of students enrolled for academic credit. These seminars are open to degree earning, university level students and adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.

Online Individual Courses: CDU’s non-credit Catechism series is offered in the online individual format. These courses allow students to work at their own pace under the direction of a course instructor. Within 48 hours after enrolling, students taking online individual courses can access all course materials and assignments online, have direct access to the course instructor, but do not have the opportunity to interact with other students. This format is not available for credit courses.

Paper Individual Courses: Still in demand by some of our students, CDU offers some courses in a paper format. Course materials are mailed in course binders. Students complete assignments and return them to their course instructors for grading. Upon completion of a course, a proctored exam is given and a grade is issued. Six months is given for the completion of graduate and undergraduate paper-based courses. If courses are not completed within the 6-months,students need to re-enroll in the course, pay full tuition, and submit remaining required course work.