Catholic International University

What is the history of Catholic International University?

Catholic International University began in 1983 as Catholic Distance University, an institution established to make Catholic theological education available to people who could not attend classes on a traditional campus. Its original name reflected an emphasis that remains central to its identity: teaching students at a distance.

The institution later adopted the name Catholic International University. That change did not turn it into a conventional residential university; prospective students should evaluate its programs with online study in mind. Its history also helps explain why theology and related subjects feature prominently in its academic offerings.

What are the faculties and departments at Catholic International University?

Catholic International University concentrates on Catholic theology and related liberal arts study rather than offering the broad range of departments found at a large comprehensive university. Students considering a program should use its current academic catalog to identify the exact degree, certificate, curriculum and graduation requirements.

Theology is particularly relevant to applicants interested in religious education, ministry or further study. Philosophy and the liberal arts also figure in the institution's academic focus. A prospective student should distinguish an academic degree from a certificate or a noncredit course: they may serve different purposes, carry different admission requirements and have different implications for transfer or employment.

What is the location of Catholic International University?

Catholic International University is based in Charles Town, West Virginia, but its distance-learning model means that the address should not be mistaken for the location where every student attends class. Applicants should confirm whether their particular program has any in-person requirements before making travel plans.

Charles Town is in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, within the broader Washington, D.C., region. That location may matter for administrative visits or occasional events, while the availability of internet access, course scheduling and time-zone arrangements will usually matter more to a student studying remotely.

What is the mission and vision of Catholic International University?

Catholic International University's stated purpose is to provide education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, particularly to students learning at a distance. Its religious identity is relevant to the subjects it teaches and the perspective from which they are taught.

Applicants need not assume that every course is intended only for a future clergy member or religious educator. They should, however, review the learning outcomes and required courses for their intended credential to see how Catholic teaching and philosophy are incorporated. A mission statement describes an institution's aims; it is not, by itself, evidence of a particular academic or career outcome.