Program Overview
- This program is for Church leaders, employees, and catechists seeking a comprehensive certification in Catholic teachings and theology and practical ways to teach these principles.
Program Goals
- Articulate the fundamental doctrines of faith and morals of the Catholic Church, using the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition.
- Explain the Holy Bible as a unified story, with the New Testament anticipated by the Old, and the Old Testament fulfilled in the New.
- Explore the nature, mission, and purpose of catechesis, with emphasis on biblical catechesis, development of doctrinal lesson planning, and the principles, tasks, and methods that the Church promotes.
Program Requirements
- 18 Credits
Program Time Limit: 3 years
Course Preview
Application Process
- Submit a free online program application.
- Send official transcript from high school, GED, or most recent undergraduate institution attended to registrar@cdu.edu.
Program Costs
- Tuition: $1,035 x 6 courses = $6,210
- Technology fee: $165/course x 6 courses = $990
- Books: $100/course (estimate) x 6 courses = $600
- Total: $7,800
- Detailed cost of attendance budgets can be found here.
Fill out the form to begin the application process if you plan to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate.
*We value your privacy. By submitting this form, you agree to receive emails, texts, and calls from Catholic Distance University (CDU). You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Course Lists
For descriptions of required courses, please consult the online course catalog. All courses listed below are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| THEO 204 | Foundations of Catholicism | 3 |
| SCRPT 230 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 |
| THEO 232 | Jesus Christ: God, Man, and Savior | 3 |
| THEO 253 | Sacraments: Masterworks of God | 3 |
| THEO 268 | Principles of Moral Theology | 3 |
| RELED 433 | The Art of Catechesis: Dynamic Renewal | 3 |
THE CDU ADVANTAGE
In a 2022 survey of CDU graduate students, 100% reported that they had achieved their learning goals.
CDU Offers:
- Authentic Catholic teaching
- Flexibility to study where and when you choose
- The lowest undergraduate tuition of any U.S.-based online university offering Catholic theology
- A global Catholic community
- Knowledgeable and accessible faculty
- Engaging online courses with discussion forums
- Mobile app for study on the go
- Online library staffed by a theological librarian
- 24/7 technical support
The Undergraduate Catechetical Coordinator Certificate program is nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is certified as a degree-granting institution by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
