Program Overview

  • Specifically designed to meet the needs of Directors of Religious Education (DREs), secondary school teachers, and catechists.

Program Goals

  • Articulate and apply principles of Catholic theology and God’s relationship to the created order to the problem of authentic happiness and the edification of the human community.
  • Demonstrate how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament with regard to Jesus Christ, the Church as the People of God, and its sacramental life.
  • Faithfully and effectively teach Catholic doctrine, spirituality, and morals, while ministering in pedagogically and culturally diverse contexts.
  • Synthesize the development of the Catholic Church’s understanding of the relationship between Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium, and their significance with respect to historical and contemporary challenges.
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PROGRAM GOALS
COURSE LISTS
CDU ADVANTAGE

Program Requirements

Program Time Limit: 5 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.

Those who complete this degree program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible for fast-track admission to the Doctor of Ministry program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake.

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.

Program Costs

  • Tuition: $1,485 x 12 courses = $17,820
  • Technology fee: $165/course x 12 courses = $1,980
  • Comprehensive Exam fee: $150
  • Books: $100/course (estimate) x 12 courses = $1,200
  • Practicum fee: $300
  • Total: $21,450
    • Detailed cost of attendance budgets can be found here.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 6 theology graduate credits earned within the last 5 years with a grade of 3.0 or higher may be transferred if earned from an institution(s) accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or whose courses are endorsed by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Academic Leadership.

Course Preview

“My intellectual growth in the field of theology is indisputable after completing this program.  I have also grown from a person who was just interested in the faith into a person who is able to invite and accompany others on their faith journeys to more fully live Christ’s mandate to become missionary disciples. This is mostly due to my spiritual progress.”

–Ute Eble, (MA in Theology and Educational Ministry)

Fill out the form to begin the application process if you plan to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate.

Graduate Application

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*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.

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PROGRAM GOALS
COURSE LIST
CDU ADVANTAGE

Course List

COURSE LIST

Course Number Course Title Credits
*CST 500/PHIL 512 Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching 3
*CST 510 Social Doctrine of the Church, 1891-1965 3
*CST 520 Catholic Social Teaching: John Paul II Benedict XVI, and Francis 3
THEO 503 The Catholic Theological Tradition 3
THEO 510 Revelation and Faith: Fundamental Theology 3
THEO 541 Theology of Church 3
THEO 552 Sacraments and Liturgy 3
THEO 560 Fundamental Moral Theology 3
THEO 632 Christology 3
THEO 640 Presenting the Faith in the Modern World: Dealing with the Hard Questions 3
*THEO 682 Forming a Catholic World View: Catholic Social Teachings 3
RELED 560 Principles of Catholic Education 3
SCRPT 530 Introduction to Scripture and Salvation History 3
SPIR 501 Applied Catholic Spirituality 3
Elective Students must, in consultation with the program advisor, choose one
additional elective course that relates to their teaching interest.		 3
PRACT 697 Practicum 0

Classes are 8 weeks long unless otherwise noted.

*Students may take either CST 500/PHIL 512, CST 510, CST 520, or THEO 682

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

Get started today!

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The MA 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.

“My intellectual growth in the field of theology is indisputable after completing this program.  I have also grown from a person who was just interested in the faith into a person who is able to invite and accompany others on their faith journeys to more fully live Christ’s mandate to become missionary disciples. This is mostly due to my spiritual progress.”

–Ute Eble, MA in Theology and Educational Ministry