Catholic Education Center - Christendom Certificate

         The Christendom Certificate
                   In Catechetics

The Christendom Graduate School offers an advanced-level Certificate
in Catechetics to students who have successfully completed six
courses. To obtain the Christendom Certificate in Catechetics the
student takes the following six courses:

EDUC630: Teaching the Faith: Part 1 (3 credits)
(CAT101, CAT102, CAT103 + Academic Requirements)
An introduction to Catholic Religious Education, including an examination of
the ministry of catechetics, an overview of key Old and New Testament figures
and events, and a thorough study of the Creed and the seven Sacraments,
based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (parts 1 and 2), with practical
and creative ways to implement these teachings in a classroom.

EDUC631: Teaching the Faith: Part 2 (3 credits)
(CAT104, CAT105, CAT201 + Academic Requirements)
A continuation of EDUC 630 focusing on the moral life (commandments,
virtues and beatitudes) and the life of prayer (with explanation of several
prayers and devotions throughout the liturgical year) and how to teach them.
The course covers Parts 3 & 4 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and
concludes with the role of catechesis in the mission of the Church as seen in
the General Directory of Catechesis.

EDUC 602: The Catechetical Tradition: a study of the teaching Church and
the historical process of its development, including St. Augustine and Classical
Catechesis, Christendom and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Reformation
and the Roman Catechism, the Enlightenment, Vatican I, Modernism, Vatican
II, the renewed Catechumenate and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

EDUC 603: Catechetical Norms and Methods: a study of Magisterial
documents pertaining to religious education and evangelization, and the
application of these norms to various parochial and diocesan ministries,
including teaching methods for various ages, textbook selection, youth ministry,
RCIA, and organization and direction of a parish catechetical program.

EDUC 605: Liturgy and Sacraments: the liturgical and sacramental life of
the Church, including the meaning of sacrament, their institution by Jesus
Christ, and their efficacy, with special attention to the Eucharist. Also includes
the Prayer of the Church, the Liturgical Cycle, and sacramentals.

EDUC 606: Apologetics: the reasonable explanation and defense of the
Catholic Faith utilizing Scripture, theology, Church history, and philosophy to
explain Catholic beliefs and practices, such as Tradition, the Papacy,
justification, the Real Presence, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Communion
of Saints.

Students need to take these courses for graduate credit and to maintain at least
a “B” average (3.0 GPA) in order to qualify for the certificate. These courses
may also be applied to the MA degree in Theological Studies and the Apostolic
Catechetical Diploma; in addition they may be taken for teaching licensure.

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Christendom College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools, and does not discriminate against any applicant or student on
         the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin.

     Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College
          4407 Sano Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22312
703-658-4304 - ndgs@christendom.edu -   www.christendom.edu/grad