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 an area of interest while keeping their options open.
Graduate Certificates are offered in the following areas:
- Sacred Scripture
- Church History
- Certificate for Catholic Educators
The programs are offered through the Graduate School of Theology, which is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The CDU Graduate School of Theology aims to provide a transformative learning experience in the digital space and to develop leaders for the new evangelization in the 21st century.
Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may enroll in Graduate Certificate programs. Credits earned are transferable to the MA degree program as students may decide later to pursue a full degree.
Program Requirements
- Sacred Scripture: 18 credits – 9 core scripture credits, 9 elective scripture credits.
- Church History: 18 credits – 12 core history credits, 6 elective history credits.
- Certificate for Catholic Educators: 18 credits
Certificate Earned: Graduate Certificate in Sacred Scripture, Graduate Certificate in Church History, or Certificate for Catholic Educators
Program Time Limit: Three years
Application Process:
- Complete the free online application for admission.
- Have an official transcript from the accredited institution where you completed your undergraduate degree sent to registrar@cdu.edu.
- Have someone who is familiar with your academic or professional work submit a letter of recommendation to registrar@cdu.edu.
- Submit a brief statement of purpose (250 words or less) to registrar@cdu.edu on why you are pursuing online graduate study in theology.
Students will be notified of acceptance via email shortly after all materials have been submitted and reviewed.
Accepted students may begin by taking one of three courses: THEO 503 The Catholic Theological Tradition, THEO 510 Revelation and Faith, or SCRPT 530 Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History.
Investment:
- Tuition: $1,425 x 6 courses = $8,550
- Technology fee: $150/course x 6 courses = $900
- Books: $100/course (estimate) x 6 courses = $600
- Total: $10,050
- Detailed cost of attendance budgets can be found here.
Program Goals
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Sacred Scripture should be able to:
- Demonstrate acquaintance with the full range of Scriptural texts and the relationships among them
- Exhibit familiarity with ancient and modern interpretive tools and hermeneutical methods
- Illustrate how scholarship is related to Catholic theological and doctrinal concepts
- Read and interpret Scriptural texts on their own in light of the best scholarship and Church tradition
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Church History should be able to:
- Summarize knowledge of major stages in Catholic Church history
- Identify and analyze at least one major historical event in the Church
- Apply theological and secular methodologies to Church history and their relationship to one another
- Interpret trends in ecclesial historiography
- Develop necessary reading skills to critically engage historical texts in light of the best scholarship and Church tradition.
Students who complete the Certificate for Catholic Educators will be able to:
- Teach, promote, and defend the Catholic Faith
- Demonstrate knowledge of Church teaching and the ability to access, interpret, and apply these teachings in various Church and Catholic education settings.
Course Lists
For descriptions of both required and elective courses, please consult the online course catalog.
CDU reserves the right to substitute suitable comparable courses different from the ones listed for the student to complete the certificate.
Core Courses (9 credits required)
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| THEO 503 | The Catholic Theological Tradition | 3 |
| SCRPT 530 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 |
| SCRPT 615 | History of Biblical Interpretation 12 weeks | 3 |
Elective Courses (9 credits required)
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| SCRPT 520 | Pentateuch | 3 |
| SCRPT 570 | The Letter to the Romans | 3 |
| SCRPT 581 | The Gospel of St. John | 3 |
| SCRPT 640 | Isaiah and the Prophets 12 weeks | 3 |
| SCRPT 662 | The Synoptic Gospels | 3 |
For descriptions of both required and elective courses, please consult the online course catalog.
CDU reserves the right to substitute suitable comparable courses different from the ones listed for the student to complete the certificate.
Core Courses (12 credits required)
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| THEO 503 | The Catholic Theological Tradition | 3 |
| CHIST 514 | Church History I: Early Christians to Middle Ages | 3 |
| CHIST 524 | Church History II: Renaissance to Modern Church | 3 |
| THEO 632 | Christology | 3 |
Elective Courses (6 credits required)
Courses are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CHIST 544 | History of the Catholic Church in America | 3 |
| SCRPT 530 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History | 3 |
| SCRPT 615 | History of Biblical Interpretation 12 weeks | 3 |
| SCRPT 640 | Isaiah and the Prophets 12 weeks | 3 |
The Certificate program offers students an overview of basic Catholic theology, Scripture, Catholic social teaching, along with the feature course, Principles of Catholic Education. Learners selecting this option will have basic coursework to provide sound religious formation for Catholic youth and adults and accurate information to discuss the Faith with who may be seeking a faith life or are otherwise unaffiliated with the Catholic Church.
For descriptions of both required and elective courses, please consult the online course catalog.
| Course Number | Course Title |
| THEO 503 | The Catholic Theological Tradition |
| RELED 560 | Principles of Catholic Education |
| THEO 682 | Forming a Catholic World View: Catholic Social Teachings |
| SCRPT 530 | Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History |
| SPIR 501 | Applied Catholic Spirituality |
| THEO 640 | Presenting the Faith in the Modern World: Dealing with Hard Questions |
Classes are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.
THE CDU ADVANTAGE
In a 2022 survey of CDU graduate students, 100% reported that they had achieved their learning goals.
CDU Offers:
- Flexibility to study where and when you choose
- Authentic Catholic teaching
- Affordability
- 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 Graduate 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.
