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Historically, distance learning has been a method of education in which the instructor and student are geographically separated. However, developments in adult learning have redefined the purpose of distance learning beyond overcoming the constraints of time and place so that educators today recognize that "school is a process, not a place," particularly for adults. Today, more than three million Americans use distance learning each year, including many large universities, Fortune 500 companies and most branches of the Military and U.S. Government.
Although it relies upon traditional print materials and does not presently use technologies, the Catholic Home Study Institute (CHSI) was established in the Washington metropolitan area by a group of Catholic educators in 1983 under the leadership of Bishop Thomas Welsh, Bishop of Allentown, PA., who continues to serve as CHSI's President and Chairman of the Board. In the same year, CHSI was officially approved by the Vatican Congregation for the Faith and it invested the Catechetical Institute with the authority to award the Catechetical Diploma through distance learning. CHSI maintians a close relationship with the Holy See. Each year Bishop Welsh undertakes to review CHSI's expanding curriculum with officials at the Vatican who have expressed enthusiasm for this learning method.
In January, 1986, CHSI became accredited and gained recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. CHSI now offers students the option of earning college credit through PONSI (the Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction), a program sponsored by the American Council on Education's (ACE) Center for Adult Learning which makes recommendations for the awarding of degrees from institutions not affiliated with a college or university. ACE's assessment of college credit is accepted for transfer by more than 2,000 colleges and universities. CHSI maintains a list of institutions currently awarding credit for CHSI's courses. CHSI is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council. The Accrediting commission of DETC is listed by the United States Department of Education as a national accrediting agency.
The CHSI curriculum, at the moment, includes the following three credit courses:
Doctrine:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church Evangelization for the Third Millennium God, Man and the Universe Jesus Christ, Mary and the Grace of God The Church and Human Destiny Introduction to Sacred Scripture Madonna: Mary in the Catholic Tradition The Vocation and Mission of the Laity Christian Apologetics
Christian Ethics:
The Ten Commandments Today, Part A The Ten Commandments Today, Part B Catholic Fundemental Moral Theology, Part A Catholic Fundemental Moral Theology, Part B Medicine and Christian Morals Early Church History: The Church from Its Beginnings Through the Middle Ages General Catechetics: Methods and Materials
Spirituality
Theology and the Sacraments, Part One Theology and the Sacraments, Part Two the Historical Development of Marriage in the Church Ways of Praying: An Historical Introduction to Catholic Spiritual Tradition The Nature of Christian Spirituality
One Credit Courses:
The Sacraments of Initiation Divine Revelation: An Introduction to Dei Verbum Lumen Gentium: An Introduction to Ecclesiology The Spiritual Teaching of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
For more details, contact:
Catholic Distance University (formerly, The Catholic Home Study Institute) P.O. Box 178 Paeonian Springs, VA. 22129 (540)-882-3737 1-800-258-2474 e-mail: chsi@ewtn.com
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A series of cassette tape courses are available on subjects such as;
Franciscan University of Steubenville Distance Education University Blvd. Steubenville, OH. 43952 Tel.: (800)-466-8336
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The Catechist's Course has helped our sisters to grow in holiness. I encourage many others--families, religious and parishes to benefit from Fr. Hardon's clear and sound insights into the revealed truth's of our faith...." Mother Teresa, MC
Catechetics 36 challenging lessons in: the Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer. Tuition = $70.00
Spirituality St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas A. Kempis, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Louis de Montfort, St. Peter Julian Eymard, and St. Therese of Lisieux.
Tuition = $60.00
Includes all materials, shipping, test grading
For more information or to obtain course materials, send check or money order to:
INTERMIRIFICA P.O. Box 241 Kensington, MD 20895 [Phone: (301)-942-9577]
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Credence Cassettes 1115 E Armour Blvd. P.O. Box 419491 Kansas City, MO. 64141-6491 (Call 1-800-333-7373)
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Catholic Parent
Maryknoll
Queen of All Hearts
CGA -- for Catholics Over 50 yrs.
Medical Mission News
Soul: National Catholic Magazine
Kinship -- Glenmary Sisters
Leaves
Catholic International
Liguorian
Association of Marian Helpers Bulletin
To obtain more information, send your name and address to; The Catholic Press Association 3555 Veterans Highway, Unit 0 Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779
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See also Homeward Bound: A Useful Guide to Catholic Home Schooling by Mary Hasson (Ignatius Press)
NACHE Beginner's Packet 6102 Saints Hill Lane Broad Run, VA. 22014
Yearly dues, including a subscription to the newsletter, are $12 and should be sent to;
NACHE c/o P.O. Box 420225 Sand Diego, CA. 92142
For information on home-schooling curricula, contact the following;
Seton Home Study School 1350 Progress Drive Front Royal, VA. 22630
See also: Catholic Education: Homeward Bound by Kimberly Hahn and Mary Hasson (Ignatius Press, paperback, 400 pp., $14.95) Appendix C: "Curriculum Suppliers" for a listing of publishers.
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