About The Catholic Distance University

We are living at a unique and exciting moment in the history of the Church. Since the close of the Second Vatican Council, the Church has proclaimed Christ's invitation to share actively in His mission and respond as mature adults to the universal call to holiness. In the words of the US Council of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on education, "We are entering a period of new vitality for the Church, a period in which adult Catholic Laity will play a pivotal leadership role in fulfilling the Christian mission of evangelizing and transforming society. For adults to fulfill their roles in this new era of the Church, their faith formation must be life long, just as they must continue to learn to keep up in the changing world."

In order to participate in the mission of Christ and the Church, we need to be formed life long by the Word of God through an authentic, systematic exploration of the mystery of Christ's love. We are called to deepen our faith and, as we enter the Third Millennium, to be familiar with the documents of the Second Vatican Council, called by Pope Paul VI the Catechism of Modern Times.

CDU was established in 1983 to meet the needs of adults who recognize that religious literacy is a life long process of growing in the knowledge and love of God. Recognizing the diversity of vocations and lifestyles today, CDU uses an educational format called distance education. This provides adults with the unique opportunity to adapt the method, time and place of learning to their own situation and schedule.

How does CDU do this? CDU offers adults a carefully designed curriculum of doctrinal, moral and spiritual formation that combines the convenience of learning at home or at work with the academic benefits of a highly qualified faculty. The inspiring curriculum includes the Vatican II documents and abundant readings from Sacred Scripture. The Catechism of the Catholic Church brings the Word of God to us in a language and style rich in meaning for our contemporary world. It also enriches the entire curriculum and serves as a recommended text for all courses.

For over 20 years, CDU has been educating adults—lay people, religious sisters and brothers, priests, deacons and missionaries—around the world. The CDU program of continuing religious education is unique because it is tailored to the rhythms of daily life and offers direct and immediate application to personal needs and goals. In the words of Christ Himself, "The truth will make you free."

CDU's singular mission is to bring the truth of Christ and His Church to you through various innovative methods of modern distance education. We believe that CDU can assist you in your journey to live out the fullness of God's call to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hungry world.

Distance Learning for Adults

Historically, distance learning has been a method of education in which the instructor and student are geographically separated. However, developments in adult learning have focused the purpose of distance learning beyond overcoming the constraints of time and place. Educators today recognize that "school is a process, not a place."

If you prefer greater flexibility to plan when and where you wish to study, then you will find distance learning a rewarding experience. Today, more than three million Americans use distance learning each year, including many large state universities, Fortune 500 Companies and most branches of the Military and US Government.

Distance learning invites greater self-discipline, and adult learners have found that what they learn is more easily integrated into their day-to-day life. Such a process enhances personal growth and immediate application of what is learned.

Along with these unique benefits, distance education programs include the very same components as traditional classroom programs— students, qualified faculty, the opportunity for individual help, textbooks, challenging assignments and examinations. With nearly 20 years of experience in Distance Learning, CDU excels in two important areas: high quality, effectively designed course materials and a caring, responsive student services department to facilitate the learning process. We believe that these strengths will ensure that you are successful with this highly effective method of adult learning.

CDU Distance Education

The first distance educator in the Church was St. Paul who, in the first century AD, wrote Epistles, or letters of instruction, to the early Christian communities. His Epistles effectively catechized when he could not be physically present. God continues to catechize us today through St. Paul's Epistles, which are part of Divine Revelation.

Every CDU course uses a modular format. A manual, divided into short lessons, guides you step-by-step through the course. Each self-contained lesson includes an introduction, a list of learning goals, key words and phrases with a companion glossary, the course author's lecture, and reading assignments. A self-check reading comprehension quiz, instructions for completing written assignments, and a spiritual reflection from the writings of Church Fathers and Doctors enrich each lesson, both intellectually and spiritually. All of these contribute to the effectiveness of individual study. You will appreciate the convenience of preprinted Request-for-Help forms should you need extra help from your instructor. A Home Study Schedule form and an ample supply of preaddressed return mail envelopes are included. Many of CDU's Faculty offer the option of sending written assignments through electronic mail or fax.

Whether you mail or e-mail your written assignments, a qualified staff instructor will evaluate your work and correspond with you. You will enjoy the advantage of being in a "class of one" while united in spirit with fellow students studying the same courses in many parts of the world.

No matter which course you choose, personal help is always available. In fact, many students have written to tell us that they received more personal attention from their CDU courses using distance learning than they did from courses taught in a traditional classroom. Whether you are a teacher, parent, priest, religious sister or brother, permanent deacon, college student, convert, or simply find yourself hungry to learn more about the Faith, CDU makes distance education easy. Most students discover that CDU courses not only meet their educational expectations but, more importantly, deepen their love for God and the Church and give them the confidence to communicate the Faith to others. You will discover the CDU way— personal, academically enriching and spiritually rewarding.