300 South George St.

Charles Town, WV 25414

(304) 724-5000

Enrollment: 233

The Catholic Distance University Website

The Institution:

• President’s Oath
• Catholic Board
• Catholic Faculty
• Mandatum Required*
• Theologians’ Oath* 

Campus Culture:

• Mass and Confession (N/A)* 
• Speakers Vetted (N/A)*
• Unobjectionable Clubs (N/A)*
• No Coed Dorms (N/A)*
• Health Services Okay (N/A)* 

School’s Comments:

Institution: A pioneer in distance learning, CDU was founded in 1983 as the first catechetical institute in the United States to award the “Catechetical Diploma” and teach the Catholic faith to adults using distance education. CDU offered its first degree program in 1996.

Today, CDU is a fully online university offering an A.A. degree in liberal arts with a concentration in Catholic studies, a B.A. in theology degree completion program, and M.A. degrees in theology and theology and educational ministry. CDU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. The university also offers a “Catechetical Diploma” program, several graduate certificates, an undergraduate certificate and continuing-education certificates and courses. Archbishop Timothy Broglio serves as chancellor of the university, and Marianne Evans Mount, Ph.D., serves as president. The university offers a Church Ministry Grant that discounts tuition for students actively serving the Church through volunteer or paid positions in their parishes and dioceses, and the application fee is being waived through Dec. 31, 2022. For more information, visit CDU.edu.

Mandatum & Theologians’ Oath: Local faculty are administered the mandatum in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Those residing elsewhere take the mandatum in their home dioceses. 

Campus Culture: Catholic Distance University is the only fully online university recommended by the Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes and defends faithful Catholic education.