Catechist Training and Resources

CATECHIST FORMATION

Catechists may choose from any of the resources found below, to further their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith for the certification process in the Diocese of Arlington.

The Master Catechist Training Program is open to experienced catechists who are ready to deepen their involvement in the catechetical ministry of the Church. After completion of a two-year program, candidates will be certified as Master Catechists, qualified to provide catechetical training in parishes. 

Registration for classes at the Master Catechist Program are handled at the Graduate School of Christendom College. 

 

 MASTER CATECHIST PROGRAM

 

How does the Master Catechist Certification align with the requirements of the MA degree in Theological Studies at Christendom?

The Master Catechist Certification (MCC) comprises six courses in total: a four-course nucleus and two supplementary courses. Each of the four nuclear courses tracks one of the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These courses are offered every spring and fall on a two­ year cycle on campus and online. Students in the MCC also take one supplementary online course each summer to round out the six-course curriculum in two years. One supplementary course is a survey course in sacred Scripture and is required of all students in the MCC. For their second supplementary course, students in the MCC choose between Fathers of the Church and Apologetics.

Courses in the MCC can be taken for 500-level academic credit. These are upper-level crossover credits that may be counted by some transfer institutions toward an undergraduate degree or toward a graduate degree. MCC courses can be counted toward the graduate credits required for the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Theological Studies at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College (NDGS). To earn academic credit for MCC courses, a student must fulfill certain extra requirements specified in the syllabus for each MCC course. Each MCC course counts for two credits.

Students interested in applying to the Master Catechist Program should complete the application form and send it to the Special Consultant for Catechetics, Colette Lienhard at the Office of Faith Formation (703-785-2319) or email: consultantforcatechetics@gmail.com.

The Office of Faith Formation is very grateful to Dr. R. J. Matava, Dean of the Graduate School, and his staff for their assistance and support.  The expertise and infrastructure, which the Graduate School offers, will be a great benefit to those in the program and prepare them well as “Master Catechists.”

All Directors of Religious Education must inform their Pastors and the Office of Faith Formation, of the students who will be participating in the program.

If you would like to know more about the program, you may visit the webpage for the Master Catechist Program on the Graduate School website at www.graduate.christendom.edu       

To view more information for the Master Catechist Program, please visit the links below:

MCC-MA Program Alignment Guide

Master Catechist Flyer

MCP Application Form- Christendom