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Catholic Distance University Celebrates 30 Years of Faith and Innovation April 25, 2014, at 3:52 PM | By Adam Wilson, Kelly Conroy Catholic Distance University (CDU), an online institution based out of Hamilton, Va., is celebrating 30 years as a pioneer in the field of distance learning. Founded in 1983 by Bishop Thomas Welsh, the first bishop of the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia, CDU has experienced dramatic expansion since it was founded, but has retained its commitment to strong Catholic identity. Read the article at the Cardinal Newman Society website

Hamilton, Virginia, United States of America – May 22, 2014 – Catholic Distance University announced that it has added a Graduate Certificate in Church History to its online offerings. The certificate consists of 18 credits, 9 required and 9 elective, and provides a broad exposure to the sweep of church history. All credits from the certificate are transferrable to CDU’s Theology MA program should a student decide later that he or she would like to pursue a full degree. As with all of CDU’s programs, there is no residency requirement for the new certificate. “In my experience, many Catholics know very little about the history of the Church,” said author and CDU professor Russell Shaw. He continued, “That's a shame, because Church history has much to teach us – both by way of inspiration and by pointing out pitfalls we need to avoid. In that context, CDU's graduate certificate is a great idea that can accomplish much good.” Matthew Bunson is a prolific author and CDU professor who has taught courses on topics ranging from the Crusades to the Inquisition to American Church History. Asked why anyone should pursue a certificate when they could simply read history books, Bunson pointed out that CDU’s certificate “will offer rich and detailed academic expertise in a way that independent study could never duplicate, and the Certificate is a useful and meaningful addition to any c.v. More important, it will equip the graduate with heightened training in all of the diverse areas of Church History at a time when the lessons of the past need to be applied with prudence and clarity to the challenging cultural situations of the modern day.” Describing the new program, CDU Graduate Dean Robert Royal said, “CDU has tremendous expertise in Church History, and we want to make that available to as many people as possible. My hope for this certificate is that it will offer those who desire to learn about the oldest institution in the world, or maybe more personally, desire to know their own spiritual patrimony, an avenue to do so via an academic program that results in a formal credential. Graduate certificates are perfect for those who are prepared to study theology at the graduate level, but want the flexibility to focus their studies on a particular area of interest.” Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may enroll in CDU’s graduate theology certificate programs. Now in its 30th year, Catholic Distance University (CDU) is a private, non-profit online university headquartered in Hamilton, VA. Founded by the Arlington Diocese’s first bishop, Bishop Thomas Welsh, CDU specializes in distance education and is the only Catholic online university in the United States, providing education in the faith to people of all walks of life in 68 countries. Today, CDU offers accredited degrees in Theology and the Liberal Arts, including graduate degrees and certificates. CDU also provides continuing education courses and certificates and continues its active outreach to the incarcerated Church through correspondence courses. Upcoming three-week seminars include Introduction to Scripture with Dr. Peter Brown; the History of Vatican II with Dr. Matthew Bunson; and The Catholic School with Prof. Harry Plummer. Bishop Paul S. Loverde is Chairman of CDU’s Board of Trustees, and Marianne Evans Mount, PhD, is CDU’s President.

Hamilton, Virginia, United States of America – March 18, 2014 –Catholic Distance University has slashed continuing education certificate application fees to make certificates more attractive and accessible to adult learners. CDU Dean of Catechetics, Sister Mary Margaret Ann Schlather, SND, led a review of CDU’s certificate program that identified cost as one of the factors that discourages adults from earning this credential. Sister Margaret Ann commented, “It would be a shame for cost to deter Catholics from  learning more about their faith.” After streamlining the certificate process, CDU is now able to  pass on the savings to students. CDU President Dr. Marianne Evans Mount praised Sister Margaret Ann’s efforts to make an inspiring education more affordable and available to more people. “CDU’s continuing education certificates are a convenient way for Catholics to deepen their faith so that they are confident about sharing it with others. I am delighted that CDU has found a way to reduce certificate fees by 80%,” said Dr. Mount. CDU’s continuing education certificates attest to a person’s competence in a particular area of the faith, such as catechetics, Church history, or Sacred Scripture. Each certificate is awarded for successfully completing a required number of courses, usually six, and then submitting an application to CDU. The fee for this application is now only $15. Now in its 30th year, Catholic Distance University (CDU) is a private, non-profit online university headquartered in Hamilton, VA. Founded by the Arlington Diocese’s first bishop, Bishop Thomas Welsh, CDU specializes in distance education and is the only Catholic online university in the United States, providing education in the faith to people of all walks of life in 68 countries. Today, CDU offers accredited degrees in Theology and the Liberal Arts, including graduate degrees and certificates. CDU also provides continuing education courses and certificates online and continues its active outreach to the incarcerated Church through correspondence courses. Bishop Paul S. Loverde is Chairman of CDU’s Board of Trustees, and Marianne Evans Mount, PhD, is CDU’s President. Contact: Mary Kate White mwhite@cdu.edu 120 E. Colonial Hwy Hamilton, VA 20175 888-245-4238 x717 www.cdu.edu ###

Catholic colleges take online learning to new level Number of students enrolled in Web-based courses is soaring due to flexibility, affordability of classes Brian Fraga | OSV Newsweekly | 5/21/2014 ... Catholic Distance University ... was one of the first higher-education initiatives in the country to offer distance learning and online educational opportunities. CDU offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology, an associate’s degree in Catholic Studies, and certificates in other disciplines ... Read the whole article at OSV Newsweekly

Archbishop gives credit to Catholics serving the Nation in uniform WASHINGTON, D.C. - His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, received the prestigious Founders Award from Catholic Distance University (CDU) on Saturday night at the university’s Gala 2014 in Arlington, Va. Click here to read full article

HAMILTON, VA – Helen Alvaré, a noted champion of pro-life and pro-family causes, will be honored by the Catholic Distance University (CDU) at its annual Awards Gala on November 21, 2015 in Arlington, Virginia. Alvaré, a Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, where she teaches Family Law, Law and Religion and Property Law, will be given the Founders Award. The announcement was made by Marianne Evans Mount, PhD, president of the university. "It is a great honor to recognize Professor Alvaré for her lifelong work and accomplishments," said Dr. Mount.  "During her outstanding career, Helen has focused on the defense of the unborn and has courageously championed marriage in the public arena, providing a steady and strong moral compass during challenging times." Professor Alvaré is an advisor to the law school’s Civil Rights Law Journal at George Mason and the Latino/a Law Student Association, a consultor for the Pontifical Council of the Laity (Vatican City), an advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), founder of WomenSpeakforThemselves.com and an ABC news consultant. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of Pro Life Activities for USCCB, has described Professor Alvaré as “one of the most knowledgeable and effective advocates for life and marriage I have ever known, an ideal combination of style and substance" and  "a leading spokeswoman for Catholic pro-life feminism." National Catholic Register (NCR) also noted that "many Catholics look to Alvaré as one of the Church’s most articulate and reasoned voices in the public square today." A speaker and a delegate to various United Nations conferences concerning women and the family, Professor Alvaré publishes regularly in news outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post and USA Today. Prior to joining the faculty of George Mason, Professor Alvaré taught at The Catholic University of America; represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before legislative bodies, academic audiences and the media; and was a litigation attorney for the Philadelphia law firm of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young. In addition to the Founders Award, CDU also will present the Bishop Thomas J. Welsh Award to a parish in the Diocese of Arlington. November 21 Gala The CDU Gala will be held at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, beginning with a 5 p.m. Academic Convocation Mass to honor CDU's 2015 graduates, followed by a 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception and a 7:30 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony.  The program will be hosted by The Most Honorable Paul S. Loverde, Chairman of the Board of CDU. About CDU A pioneer in distance learning, CDU is the only Catholic university that operates totally online.  It was founded in 1983 as the first catechetical institute in the United States to award the Catechetical Diploma and teach the Catholic faith to adults using distance education.  In its early days, CDU operated as a correspondence school.  Twenty years ago it became part of the web. Today CDU students are located in all 50 states and 68 countries.  Using distance education, CDU offers accredited degrees in Theology and the Liberal Arts, including graduate degrees and certificates. The university also provides continuing education courses and certificates online and continues its active outreach to the incarcerated Church through correspondence courses. Bishop Paul S. Loverde is Chairman of CDU’s Board of Trustees, and Marianne Evans Mount, PhD, serves as President. For more information, visit www.cdu.edu For more information, contact: Mary Kate White mwhite@cdu.edu 888-245-4238 x717 Catholic Distance University 120 East Colonial Highway Hamilton, Virginia 20158

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CHARLES TOWN, WV --  A partnership between Catholic Distance University (CDU) and Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) has resulted in both the new CDU-OSV MA and the CDU-OSV Certificate Program in Theology for Directors of Religious Education (DREs) and Catholic school teachers. The announcement was made jointly by CDU and OSV. The partnership is the latest development in a 25-year long collaboration between the pioneering online university and the country's premier Catholic publisher of formational and informational materials. "Both the MA and the Certificate are outstanding additions to the CDU curriculum," said Marianne Evans Mount, PhD, president of the university. "The MA in Theology is designed for adults balancing family, work and Church responsibilities and the certificate provides an overview of basic Catholic theology, Scripture and Catholic social teaching -- so vital for teachers and catechists today." Jerome B. Kearns, executive director of Our Sunday Visitor Institute, which funded the initiative, said,  "We anticipate that this degree and certificate will be of great assistance to Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools by providing solid educational and faith formation material that is easily accessible virtually anywhere in the country. OSV is honored to partner with CDU on these very important and inspiring programs." CDU-OSV MA in Theology The MA option requires 36 credits, culminating with a program portfolio and reflection paper.  Created together with OSV, the program features a new course -- Principles of Catholic Education -- that will use OSV religious education materials for practical applications.  It also includes new courses on Social Teachings, Catholic Spirituality and Ecumenism, in addition to core theology courses.  No thesis is required and students are given five years to complete the program. CDU-OSV Graduate Certificate The 18 credit Graduate Certificate in Theology provides an overview of basic Catholic theology, Scripture and Catholic social teaching.  It was designed to support the ministry of teachers and catechists who teach in schools and parish religious education programs. It also is a pathway for those who are preparing to study Theology at the graduate level.  Students are allowed three years to complete and all credits are transferable to CDU's MA degree program. Dr. Mount added that the new programs are ideal for those who seek to teach, promote and defend the Catholic faith, noting that,  "Our goal is to fully equip DREs and teachers for their important ministry of faith formation in parishes and school." Fresh content is delivered on the widely used and accepted Canvas platform, which integrates all dimensions of online leaning.  Multimedia presentations, video and lectures benefit every type of learner. Faculty-guided weekly discussions provide an opportunity to interact with professors and other students. Greg Erlandson, publisher of Our Sunday Visitor, which includes the popular Alive in Christ/Vivos en Cristo basal curriculum, said the addition of an online master's and graduate certificate program is a real contribution by CDU to catechesis in this country.  Mr. Erlandson added, "OSV believes students enrolled in these programs will have the necessary coursework to provide sound religious formation for Catholic youth and adults.  In addition, these courses will help the educators, catechists and others in the program to grow in their own discipleship formation, strengthening their relationship with Christ and deepening their commitment to the Church." Mr. Erlandson noted that, "Our Sunday Visitor Institute is grateful for the wonderful work CDU is doing for the Church and for the university's pioneering leadership in Catholic online education." About CDU A pioneer in distance learning, CDU is the only Catholic University that operates totally online.  It was founded in 1983 as the first catechetical institute in the United States to award the Catechetical Diploma and teach the Catholic faith to adults using distance education. In its early days, CDU operated as a correspondence school.  Twenty years ago It became part of the web. Today CDU students are located in all 50 states and 68 countries.  Using distance education, CDU offers accredited degrees in Theology and the Liberal Arts, including graduate degrees and certificates.  The university also provides continuing education courses and certificates online and continues its active outreach to the incarcerated Church through correspondence courses.  Bishop Paul S. Loverde is chairman of CDU's Board of Trustees and Marianne Evans Mount, PhD serves as president. For more information, visit www.cdu.edu. About OSV Institute Our Sunday Visitor Institute was established to carry on the vision of Archbishop John F. Noll who founded Our Sunday Visitor for one purpose -- to help form and inform Catholics and to help them see the world through the eyes of faith. The Institute seeks, supports and encourages innovative Church-related programs and activities which are in accord with the mission established by Archbishop Noll.  Jerome B. Kearns serves as executive director, Our Sunday Visitor Institute. For more information, visit www.osvinstitute.com

Do you wish you knew more about your Catholic faith? Do you think you're too far past your "college days"? Are you just too busy to do it? Many faithful Catholics feel exactly the same way! That's why we've invited Dr. Marianne Mount, President of Catholic Distance University, to join us in the Luxurious Corner Booth. We discuss not only why it's important to learn more about your faith, but how you can do it online and fit it neatly into your own personal schedule! Click here to hear the Catholic Cafe's interview of CDU's Marianne Evans Mount.