Leadership Development • Online Theology Courses

As part of its effort to offer Adult Faith Formation in a wide variety of formats the diocesan Office of Christian Formation has partnered with two noted Catholic universities to make on-line theology courses available for discounted tuition rates.  On-line courses presented by both Notre Dame University and the University of Dayton offer 15-18 courses per year available throughout the year.           

The Adult Faith Formation Committee hopes that parish and ministry leaders in all aspects of parish and institutional life in particular will take advantage of this opportunity to both deepen their personal faith and their understanding of the Catholic tradition.

The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation

The University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives offers six 5-week cycles of courses throughout the year, usually offering six courses per cycle.  Course titles include Catholic Basics, Church History (1 and 2), Jesus, Sacraments, Scripture (Old and New Testament), and Media, Faith and Values .

Each course is capped at 12 participants, with new sections opened when a course fills. Courses are designed to be an experience within a small virtual community, not an independent study.  Students need to feel relatively comfortable with using a computer and, of course, have access to the internet.  Courses are password protected. 

Students are expected to spend 3-5 hours per week on reading assignments plus completing reflection questions and quizzes.  Reading materials are provided on-line or purchased via Amazon.com.  Exercises include discussion boards (not common chat rooms) plus making application to ministry and life situations.  The course facilitator coordinates group assignments and verifies that all aspects of the course have been completed before the 2.5 Continuing Education Unites are awarded for each course.

The tuition fee per course is $40 for persons in dioceses who are Virtual Learning Community (VLC) partners.  Regular tuition is $75 per course.  The VLC web site with complete details and registration information can be viewed at www.udayton.edu/~vlc.  Special arrangements can be made with the University to earn graduate credits.  The would effect the cost and requirements of the course.

The STEP Program

The Notre Dame University Institute for Church Life offers two types of on-line courses through its Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP).  Open Enrollment courses are four distinct courses, each five weeks in duration, and repeated six times per year.  Courses include Christian Doctrine for Catechists; The Creed, Images of Christ Through the Ages; and Liturgy:  A Guide for the Perplexed. 

These courses are developed by Notre Dame professors.  Facilitators, often graduate students, monitor class activity for groups of ten students, utilizing bulletin boards and other activities.  Students should expect to spend at least five hours per week on the Open Enrollment courses.  Cost is $60-70 per course, depending on whether students utilize web-streaming on-line or purchase a CD rom for course lectures.  Regular tuition is $90 per course.

Limited Enrollment courses are six distinct courses, six weeks in duration, developed and taught by Notre Dame professors and offered once a year.  Course Titles and professors are The American Catholic Experience (Dr. Jay Dolan); The Christian Conscience and Ethical Dilemmas (Dr. Maura Ryan); Eucharist:  Source and Summit of the Christian Life (Joseph Weiss, S.J.); From Proclamation to Scripture:  An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms in the Gospels (Rev. Michael Driscoll); An Introduction to the Letters of St. Paul (Jerome Neyrey. S.J.); and An Introduction to the Sacraments (Joseph Weiss, S.J.).

Limited Enrollment classes offer direct contact with Notre Dame professors and demand 10 hours of reading and activity per week.  Even though not offered for credit, the Limited Enrollment classes are roughly the equivalent of a graduate course in terms of content.  Cost is $105 per course.  Regular tuition is $129.

Open Enrollment courses from Notre Dame  are available year round.  Course descriptions and registration information can currently be accessed on-line at http://step.nd.edu. 

Notre Dame will also be offering Video Lectures on various topics by Notre Dame faculty and other theologians from across the U.S.  Each lecture is 50 minutes in duration.  These video lectures can be viewed on-line or purchased on a CD rom for $15 per lecture.  They are ideal for personal enrichment, Small Christian Communities, or a parish lecture/discussion series.

The Office of Christian Formation thanks Bishop DiLorenzo for providing the necessary money to enter the partnerships with both Notre Dame and the University of Dayton.  For further information on this or other Adult Faith Formation programs contact  Emily Filippi at efilippi@richmonddiocese.org.