Catholic Distance University

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Catholic Distance University (CDU) is a private Roman Catholic university based in Charles Town, West Virginia, in the United States. It exclusively offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees. 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. CDU was the first Catholic institution to offer an MA in Theology with no residence requirement. Several Catholic dioceses partner with CDU to help train their catechists. The school stays closely connected with the local Catholic bishop, Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, who is chair of the Board of Trustees.

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History

Catholic Distance University was established in 1983 in the Arlington diocese by Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh. In 2015, the university relocated its headquarters to Charles Town, West Virginia, as part of its strategic vision. The opening of the new location included a blessing by The Most Reverend Michael Bransfield, bishop of the university's new home diocese of the Wheeling-Charleston. CDU offers an accredited bachelor's degree completion program in theology, a master's degree in theology, and a variety of catechetical certificates. There are no residency requirements for earning a degree at CDU. In 2005, CDU launched its online campus. 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.

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Academics

Catholic Distance University currently offers the following degree programs:

• Master of Arts in Theology
• Master of Arts in Theology for Catholic Educators
• Bachelor of Arts in Theology
• Associate of Arts in the Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Catholic Studies
• Graduate certificates in Sacred Scripture, Church History, Catholic Education

Additionally, CDU offers the following non-degree programs:

• Catechetical Diploma
• Diaconate Theology Training Certificate
• Non-credit continuing Education Courses

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Accreditation and affiliations

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System have 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 and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) has accredited CDU's degrees since 1986.

In 2015, CDU began the process of gaining regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and programmatic accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). In March of the same year the university was approved for membership in the International Federation of Catholic Universities on the recommendation of Catholic University of America and Australian Catholic University.

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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.

• Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh (1986-2003)
• Bishop Paul Loverde (2003-2008)
• Dr. Marianne Evans Mount: (2008-present)

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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.

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References

src: www.catholic.edu

External links

• Official website

Source of article : Wikipedia