Graduate Degree Assistance Program

The Diocese recognizes the benefits derived from the continued education of Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education (DREs and CREs), parish Directors of Youth Ministry (DYMs), and others. The Diocese supports the additional effort and commitment of those employees wishing to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities by enrolling in courses for academic credit outside of the workplace.

With the creation of the new Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization (“MACE”) program at Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS), the Catholic Diocese of Arlington (CDA) will now offer a new opportunity for DREs, CREs, DYMs, and other eligible religious education and campus ministry staff to work toward this Master's degree. This will enrich ministry leaders in catechesis and evangelization and equip individuals with the means necessary to build up the Kingdom of God for the New Evangelization. The initial offering of this program will be limited to a cohort of 20 students.

Endowments created through the 2001 Rooted in Faith ~ Forward in Hope campaign exist to support the formation and training of religious education and youth ministry leaders. (Additional contributions to these endowments are welcomed to ensure their continued growth in the future.) With funds from these endowments, the CDA will pay for 95% of the tuition costs (approximately $1425 per course) of the MACE degree.

The following links include the application for the program and a participant agreement that will be signed by each participant accepted to the program.

 

For more information, please contact one of the following:

DREs, CREs, and others in religious education:
Ana Lisa Pinon
Office of Faith Formation
(703) 841-2533
AnaLisa.Pinon@arlingtondiocese.org

DYMs, CYMs, and others in youth and campus ministry:
Jeff Ghering
Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries
(703) 841-2559
jeffrey.ghering@arlingtondiocese.org