Catholic Distance University
Motto | Gaudium de veritate |
---|---|
Motto in English | Joy from the Truth |
Type | Private |
Established | 1983 |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Chancellor | The Most Rev. Timothy Broglio |
President | Marianne Evans Mount, Ph.D |
Academic staff | 39 |
Students | 750 |
Location | Charles Town , West Virginia , United States |
Campus | Online |
Colors | Red, blue, black |
Nickname | CDU |
Website | www |
Catholic Distance University (CDU) is a private online Roman Catholic university based in Charles Town, West Virginia. It exclusively offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs.[1] CDU's programs aim to meet the goals set out in the Ex Corde Ecclesiae issued by Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic colleges and universities.[2] CDU was the first Catholic institution to offer an MA in Theology completely online. Several Catholic dioceses partner with CDU to help train their catechists.[3]
History[]
Catholic Distance University was established in 1983 in the Arlington diocese by Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh.[4] In 2015, the university relocated its headquarters to Charles Town, West Virginia, as part of its strategic vision. CDU offers an accredited bachelor's degree completion program in theology, a master's degree in theology, a master's degree in theology and educational ministry, graduate certificates, an undergraduate certificate, a catechetical diploma, and a variety of catechetical certificates.[5] The university's programs are offered completely online; CDU launched its online campus in 2005.[6] According to Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, in the academic year 2007–2008, CDU was the top Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program by number of enrollments.[7]
Presidents[]
In 2003, Bishop Paul Loverde became the university president as Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh, the university's founder, became chairman emeritus. Bishop Loverde was succeeded by Dr. Marianne Evans Mount in 2008.[8]
- Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh (1986–2003)
- Bishop Paul Loverde (2003–2008)
- Dr. Marianne Evans Mount: (2008–present)
Academics[]
Catholic Distance University currently offers the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts. It also offers graduate certificates and non-degree programs. All of the degree programs and certificates focus on religious topics such as theology, ministry, or church history.
Accreditation and affiliations[]
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission authorized Catholic Distance University to operate as a degree-granting institution of higher education in West Virginia. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia certifies CDU to operate in Virginia as an out-of-state private, non-profit degree-granting institution[9] and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) has accredited CDU since 1986.
In 2015, CDU began the process of gaining regional accreditation and programmatic accreditation. CDU is a candidate for accreditation with The Higher Learning Commission, and its Graduate School of Theology is accredited by The Association of Theological Schools.[8] In March 2015 the university was also approved for membership in the International Federation of Catholic Universities on the recommendation of Catholic University of America and Australian Catholic University.[10]
Notable faculty and alumni[]
- Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, The New York Times Best-Selling Author, Catholic contributor to Fox News, and former professor at Ave Maria University, the University of Dallas, and Loyola University Maryland.
- Clayton Fountain, federal prisoner serving a life sentence who converted to Catholicism in prison
References[]
- ^ "The Catholic Distance University". Thenewmanguide.com. 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ "CDU History". Cdu.edu. 1990-08-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ Catholic Online (2011-03-27). "Arlington Diocese partners with Catholic Distance University - Prwire - Catholic Online". Catholic.org. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ Flach, Mike. "Diocese's founding bishop remembered for personal touch - The Arlington Catholic Herald". Catholicherald.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ "Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth". Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ "CDU History". Cdu.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ Gautier, Mary L., Ph.D. (April 2008). "Catholic Ministry Formation Enrollments: Statistical Overview for 2007–2008" (PDF). Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-12-15. Cite journal requires
|journal=
(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Jump up to: a b "CDU History". Catholic Distance University. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ "SCHEV Degree Inventory". Schev.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ "2015 Annual Report". Catholic Distance University. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
External links[]
- Distance education institutions based in the United States
- Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore
- Catholic universities and colleges in West Virginia
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
- Educational institutions established in 1983
- 1983 establishments in Virginia
- Distance Education Accreditation Commission