Distance Education

You can update your theology, enhance ministerial skills and pursue a deeper understanding of your faith through online and blended courses.  Certified as online instructors by the Catholic Distance Learning Network of the National Catholic Education Association’s Seminary Department, the CTU faculty makes their expertise accessible to you wherever you may be.  Begin your theological education with a course or two despite your busy schedule.

Certificates Online

You can earn  the Certificate in Pastoral Studies or the Certificate in Hispanic Theology and Ministry entirely online.  These graduate ministerial credentials are designed to enhance your ministry.

Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies

Through a combination of online and blended courses, you can earn this professional ministerial degree. Blended courses meet both online and onsite for three Saturdays during a semester or during a week of Summer Institute. In addition, degree seekers will participate in the Emmaus Lay Formation Program.

For more information about Distance Education, contact Keiren O’Kelly, Director of Continuing and Distance Education, at kokelly@ctu.edu or by phone at 773-371-5442.

With new courses added each year, CTU’s distance education format (online or blended) courses cover a wide range of topics.  The following list includes the dates for courses being offered in this academic year.

Upcoming online and blended courses:

           Introduction to the Old Testament (Blended) - June 7-Aug. 14 online; Week of June 21, 2010 onsite.       This course provides an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament and its historical, cultural, religious, geographical and social context. Various methodological tools for investigating the content and genre of the texts will be studied. Throughout the course, students will investigate the different theologies presented

          Witness and Proclamation:  The God of Jesus Christ (Blended) - Week of June 7-Aug. 14 online: week of June 21 2010 onsite.  This course has as its content reflection on the God whom Christians proclaim and to whom Christians witness in mission and ministry.  This God-Holy Mystery - is first manifest in human experience through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and made visible in the ministry and cross of Jesus of Nazareth.  The doctrine of God as Trinity is addressed in terms of pastoral practice, method, particular contexts of cultures and religions, and the Christian tradition.

           Christology - Fall Semester 2010  (Online)

          Pastoral Practice:  The Theology of Ministry - Spring 2011 (Online)

Courses recently offered in the distance format include:
  • The Christian Spiritual Life: A Latino/a Perspective (Online)
  • Religion in Context:  Diversity in Dialogue (Online)
  • Introduction to the Moral Life (Blended) 
  • Medical Ethics (Blended)
  • Introduction to the New Testament (Online)
  • Biblical Approach to Mental Health (Online) UIC
  • Israel's Prophets  (Online) LSTC
  • Portraits of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels (Online)
  • Introduction to the New Testament (Online)
  • Pentateuch (Online) LSTC
  • Spirituality and Leadership (Blended)
  • Guadalupe and Marian Spirituality (Online) 
  • Ecclesiology (Online)
  • Latino/a Perspectives in Theology and Ministry (Online)