Ministry-Specific Formation
Options to Meet Your Needs
No matter what your ministry is, there are options available for ongoing formation. We partner with the University of Notre Dame and Catholic Distance University to offer convenient, high-quality, low-cost online non-credit courses.
STEP: Where Technology Meets Theology
Now the University of Notre Dame is as close as your computer screen. The university’s Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) provides 45 online non-credit continuing education classes, ranging from four-week book reviews to seven-week theological explorations. Courses rely on weekly participation by all members of the online learning community, including:
- Exploring a topic through video lecture or assigned readings
- Posting/replying to class discussion board messages
- Participating in a live one-hour class discussion online directed by a STEP facilitator
- Completing a short written assignment
- Exploring further through recommended readings and resources
STEP Registration
You can view a list of courses and register online at https://mcgrath.nd.edu/online-courses/step/courses/. During registration, select the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from the drop-down menu to get a 20% discount. Registration only takes about 5 minutes.
STEP Costs
Normally, classes cost $39 to $99, but employees, volunteers, and parishioners of the Archdiocese get a 20% discount on enrollment. In addition, full-time and part-time employees of our parishes, schools, and agencies, receive an additional 30% reimbursement upon course completion and a $50 reimbursement for a retreat or day of reflection within 12 months of course completion (with a limit of one $50 retreat reimbursement per person per calendar year). Please send your certificate of course completion and receipts to the Office of Pastoral Ministries, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, e-mail: mfaley@archindy.org.
CDU Online Seminars
Another option for ministry-specific formation is through Catholic Distance University’s online seminars. Like STEP courses, they allow for interaction with fellow students as well as course instructors and have many convenient features:
- Cover a variety of contemporary topics in a flexible three-week format
- Meet asynchronously, which means “not at the same time”, so students choose the day and time that is most convenient for them to log into their courserooms
- Allow access to reading assignments, weekly questions, group discussion, and chapel meditations using a user-friendly format that is supported with a help desk for questions
CDU Seminar Registration
To register for a non-credit independent study course or seminar:
- Go to CDU website: www.cdu.edu
- Select "Continuing Education" from the top toolbar
- From the dropdown menu, select "Non-Credit Independent Study" or Non-Credit Seminar"
- Click on "Register Now"
- Then, click on the course or seminar of your choice; make payment and begin your course!
- Direct link to registration: https://cdu.catalog.instructure.com
Note: All payments are made using a credit card. For group pricing, enter the promo code: CDU16INDIANAPOL.
CDU Costs
Online seminars are provided to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis at a discounted cost of $30 per seminar. In addition, full-time and part-time employees of our parishes, schools, and agencies, can receive full reimbursement of the $30 cost by sending a certificate of course completion to the Office of Pastoral Ministries, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, e-mail: mfaley@archindy.org.