Catholic Catechist Certifications have grown in popularity in recent years. The advancement in science and technology poses new topics and questions in religious education classrooms and in the hearts of individuals looking to learn more about what the Catholic Church believes. In this article, we’ll define what a Catechist Certification is and some places to acquire one. We’ll also provide you an opportunity to learn more about Magis Center’s Certification in Contemporary Apologetics and how it might help you grow in your faith, while also equipping you to discuss and teach the faith to your students, children, and/or parish community.
The National Directory for Catechesis defines Catechesis as, “the act of handing on the Word of God intended to inform the faith community and candidates for initiation into the Church about the teachings of Christ, transmitted by the Apostles to the Church.” Being a catechist is a blessed endeavor that allows for the individual to represent the entire Church when teaching.
In becoming a certified catechist, you are afforded the opportunity to not only be a teacher of the faith but also to be a champion for transformation in your faith community. The most important goal for a catechist is to aid, teach, and guide others in their personal relationship with God. In addition, catechists must continually grow in their own knowledge so they can continue to be credible in teaching the faith.
There are several avenues one can follow to gain a Catechist Certification. The primary organizations that offer certification for catechists are dioceses and institutes/universities.
Several dioceses in the United States offer certification for their catechists. You can check your local diocese to see what your options are. Often a diocese will not host its own program but will grant a catechist a certification based on their completion of a program offered at a university or institute (see below for a list). Also, note that catechists may be required to renew their certificate after a given amount of time has passed since attaining a catechist certificate.
The programs listed below are from universities and institutes across the United States. Some are only for individual study, while others are only for diocesan study (i.e. you must complete the program through your diocese). No two programs below are exactly alike—click on the links to learn more.
Designed by speaker, author, teacher, and apologetics expert, Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., Magis Center's Certification in Contemporary Apologetics is unique among other programs in that it contemporary and science-based apologetics (i.e. medical evidence of a human soul, scientific evidence of God, Catholic belief in evolution, and historical evidence of Jesus' Resurrection). Here are the details:
The $149 Certification in Contemporary Apologetics. Made up of seven courses, teachers who complete the Certification in Contemporary Apologetics equip themselves for the challenges posed in today’s classrooms. The seven courses offered are:Total certification takes thirteen hours to complete. Along with enhanced knowledge of science-based apologetics and confidence in the classroom, you also enjoy all member benefits (described directly below).
Magis Center also offers each of the above courses individually:
Have more questions? Feel free to request more information here or learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn more about Magis Center's Certificate or Individual Courses