The Catechism for Catechists Certificate provides intellectual formation for catechists and can serve as the doctrinal component for diocesan catechist certification programs. For those serving as parish catechists or teaching the Catholic faith in the Catholic school system, as well as those interested in general adult faith formation, it enables students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith. 

Learning Outcomes

To understand and articulate the foundations of Catholic Doctrine
To be able to converse on matters of Sacred Scripture
To differentiate between missions and natures of the Trinity and the Church
To explain the Liturgy and the Sacraments
To discern the different aspects of Catholic Spirituality
To understand and articulate Catholic moral teaching.

The Certificate is offered over a six-month period beginning in October. The course is divided into six units, with a multiple-choice self-assessment quiz for each unit. Students can take the self-assessment multiple times before proceeding to the next unit when a satisfactory grade is reached. 

Ideally, groups of participants will meet locally on a monthly basis to discuss the content of each unit. Individual students may also participate. Throughout the course, an online instructor is available to answer any questions students may have regarding the material. 

The thoroughness of the course content allows The Catechism for Catechists Certificate to replace a multitude of catechetical courses, with each lesson able to stand on its own as a mini-course.

Program Overview
 
Unit 1: Foundations of Catholic Doctrine
Lesson 1:         Divine Revelation and Its Sources
Lesson 2:         Catholic Worldview and the Role Faith Plays in the Church
 
Unit 2: Sacred Scripture
Lesson 3:         Old Testament: Major Themes, Key Figures/Events
Lesson 4:         New Testament: Major Themes, Key Figures/Events
 
Unit 3: The Trinity and the Church
Lesson 5:         The Trinity: Mission, Nature and Role
Lesson 6:         The Church: Mission, Nature and Role
 
Unit 4: Liturgy and Sacraments
Lesson 7:         Liturgy: Seasons, Calendar and the Eucharist as Source and Summit
Lesson 8:         Sacraments: Initiation, Vocation and Healing
 
Unit 5: Catholic Spirituality
Lesson 9:         Spirituality and the Tradition of Prayer
Lesson 10:       The Life of Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
 
Unit 6: Catholic Morality
Lesson 11:       The Human Person, Beatitude, and the First Three Commandments; Freedom and Choice; Virtue and Vice
Lesson 12:       Catholic Social Doctrine: The Family at the Heart of Society and the Christian Morality of Marriage; The Commandments: Five, Seven, Eight, and Ten
 
Required Texts

The required texts are the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, guaranteeing that the textbooks will never go out of print and will always be readily available, in print, or online at no cost. The courses link to both sources at the USCCB website.  

A certificate is granted at the completion of the course.