One of the consequences of being non-Christian is that I never got much exposure to a lot of information about Christian denominations. I know that the largest group is Catholics yet we never seem to mention CDU. They don't offer many degree choices but they are DEAC accredited. https://www.cdu.edu/
Of the few Catholic distance programs that I am aware of, CDU is one of the more expensive options out there. Their MA in Theology, for example, is 39 credits at a rate of 450USD per credit. This comes out to 17,550USD before fees. To my remembrance, Holy Apostles and St. Joseph College in Maine are both several thousand dollars cheaper and would both provide equally Catholic programs. Is anyone familiar with comparable programs in either price range?
Here's a few others that come up in conversation now and then. Distance Learning | Franciscan University of Steubenville University of Dallas - Online Education Online Programs | Duquesne University Distance Courses and Programs | Creighton University Maryvale Institute | International Catholic Distance Learning College for Theology, Philosophy and Religious Education.
Distance Learning Master's Program in Ecumenical Studies at Ukrainian Catholic University. Tuition is $1000 a semester full time (5 courses). Program is 4 semesters.
Holy Apostles College & Seminary offers a MA Philosophy and an MA Theology for $960 per course. I have never been a student, but I have viewed some of their conferences over YouTube from time to time, and I don't think you could go wrong with them.
I know. This is one of my daydream/fantasy programs. I like it a great deal but so far can't find even a shred of justification for expense and effort, seeing how it has absolutely nothing to do with my career. Anyhow, I have the highest of regards for the school. It might just be the best private college in the country, by a mile. Residential Theology program now has Vatican accreditation. The distance MES program, from the website, has top-notch faculty. Much-grilled on this forum (for his involvement with an international mystery school, Euclid University) Fr. Laurent Cleenewerck teaches there, too. I admire his commitment to scholarship.
It may a good deal financially, but some Catholics and Orthodox may not take too kindly to someone studying such a subject. Consider that some speak of the "pan-heresy of ecumenism". :wink1:
Orthodox, mostly. Consider that some OTHER Orthodox and Catholics are totally fine with it, seeing how this is an official Catholic university, and various Orthodox priests teaching in the program seemingly do not have much grief from their ruling hierarchs. But yeah, in more conservative circles, the mere name of this program would cause intense hate. Myself, I drift it the ecumenist position over time (not the branch theory, obviously). My daughter is enrolled in a (Ukrainian) Catholic school, and H. B. Major Archbishop Svyatoslav (Shevchuk), head of the UGCC, actually visited last year. Very impressive man. More on topic, he is the ex officio Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic University and takes great interest in all things education. Which is very fitting for one of the youngest Bishops in the whole Catholic Church, both East and West (he was the youngest when elected and second-youngest when I last looked it up, and the youngest ruling Hierarch).
