Despite its ambitious title, this course has a specific focus: In it you will find a starting point for understanding what Christians mean when they say “God,” and to whom they are referring when they use this name.
This course will introduce the theology of St. Paul and discuss many of the most important themes found in his letters – salvation, Jesus’ fulfillment of the covenant, and the Church as the body of Christ.
From the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology
The Augustine Institute Short Courses bring you the faithful and engaging instruction that has been enjoyed by over a thousand students since 2005, but on a much smaller scale than full graduate courses in theology.
Each Short Course includes:
Three to four hours of high-quality video instruction
Detailed companion presentation slides
Reading assignments that are modest in length but generous in depth and beauty
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to guide you through a comprehensive and unified foundation in Catholic theology. The core theology certificate involves nine short courses, with the option for further specialization coming in 2021. New courses are added every month!
Ideal for those who want to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith
Catechists
Students of the Catholic faith
RCIA Coordinators
Catholic School Teachers
DREs
Youth Ministers
Clergy and religious
Every Catholic who wants to grow in their faith
Engaging Professors
The Augustine Institute faculty are dedicated to forming students in the Catholic intellectual tradition in order to enrich their spiritual lives and to prepare them to explain the faith more clearly. All faculty members are committed to marrying the life of the mind and the life of faith, and all hold a mandatum from the Catholic Church. Our faculty includes biblical scholars, theologians, and historians who bring both expertise in their disciplines and extensive experience with parish life and Catholic education.
I really cannot say enough good things about the education and good formation we receive as students at the Augustine Institute.
From the outstanding professors to the rich curriculum, everything lends itself to development of the intellect and the zeal for bringing Jesus Christ to the world.
- Sr. Miriam James Heidland
I am eternally grateful for what the Augustine Institute has done for my soul, my family and my apostolate.
If you feel called to further your Catholic education, I cannot recommend anything better.
- Leah Darrow
The Augustine Institute not only taught me theology and scripture but also how to teach them.
And my mentors and friends there taught me how to be a witness, how to dare greatly for the kingdom of God, and ultimately, how to be a disciple of Jesus.
Yes, you can cancel any time. For subscribers, you can continue to use the courses until the end of your billing period.
Who are these courses for?
Catechists. Catholic teachers, RCIA coordinators, DRE’s, youth ministers, students of the Catholic faith, clergy and religious, any Catholic who wants to grow in their faith
How many courses come with subscription?
Currently you get 6 courses, with 3 more coming in the next weeks. New courses are added regularly.
How often are new courses added?
In general, one course will be added every month.
Is the tuition refundable?
We're certain you'll be inspired and edified by this course. However, if you're not satisfied with the quality or course content, please contact customer service.
What’s included in the course?
Although they vary slightly, each course includes 6-8 lessons. Each lesson consists of: 30 minutes of video instruction (total 3-4 hours of instruction for the whole course); Short “office hour” videos with the professor; A quiz; Additional resources from modern Catholic sources (such as FORMED), academic sources, and from the rich heritage of the Catholic tradition (such as the writing of the saints); Some courses also include a companion book, which will be free for subscribers for the cost of shipping and handling.
What are the technical requirements?
The course will run on any device and any web browser. We do not support Roku or Apple TV.
Can I learn at my own pace?
Absolutely! All aspects of the course are easily self-guided so you can learn any time, any place.
Do I have to take the courses in a certain order?
No, although we do have a recommended order for our core courses.
Do I have to take all the courses?
No. However, if you want to earn any of our theology certificates, you will have to complete certain sets of courses. Our core theology certificate requires completion of the nine core theology courses.
Some recommended readings are not included with the course. How do I get them?
Some professors have recommended resources for deepening your understanding of the topic presented. These readings are completely optional, and the books referenced can be purchased from a book seller like Catholic.market or from their respective publishers.
How do I earn my certificate?
You can currently earn our core theology certificate by completing the videos and quizzes for our nine core theology courses. The total curriculum will be about 32 hours of video content. More certifications in specific areas will be available in 2021.
Will there be future courses or certificates beyond the current nine courses?
Yes, we plan to add one course per month. Additional certifications that focus on one area or theological discipline in particular will be coming in 2021 (for example, a certification which focuses specifically on the Bible). Courses, however, will continue to be added monthly whether or not they are part of a certificate program upon their release.
Do I have to do the courses for a certificate, or can I take courses for personal enrichment?
You are under no obligation to complete a certificate or aim for a certificate – if you prefer to take courses at random or for your personal enrichment, please do so!