Catechist Formation
- Earn your Certified Catechist certificate.
- Designed for those who teach the Catholic faith to children and adults in schools and parishes.
- For catechists in the Diocese of Little Rock.
- Fully online.
- Videos and questions for group discussion.
- Renew your certificate annually.
The Catechist Certification Process
Catechist Certification is for those who teach the Catholic faith to children and adults, in schools and parishes.
To receive the Catechist Certification, register on Learn.DOLR.org, and complete with a study group the Catechist Certification courses. The courses that can be completed in any sequence. Self-study does not count toward certification.
When you complete the courses, your Certification is valid for the current and following academic year. (The academic year begins August 1 and ends July 31.)
How long does it take?
Overall, it will take you 12 to 15 hours to complete all the courses. The Catechist Certification courses contain 20 video lessons, Each video is 20-30 minutes. Plus, you and your study group will take time to discuss the questions in each lesson. You can do the lessons at your own pace. The good news is, once you have completed the Catechist Certification course, you do not need to take it again to renew your Certificate.
How to Join a Study Group
Interaction is essential to catechist formation. Therefore, every lesson must be discussed with a study group of two or more persons. You do not have to discuss all the lessons with the same study group.
You may organize a permanent study group that stays together for an extended time and takes multiple courses together. For example, a school principal could form a study group of teachers; a parish Director of Faith Formation could form a study group of parish catechists; and a priest could form a study group of parish staff.
Or you may organize an ad hoc study group that meets for a short time to take courses together. For example, a teacher could get together with other teachers to take a course at a time that is convenient for them.
Renew Your Catechist Certification Every Year
To renew your Catechist Certification for the next year, complete any one continuing education opportunity that advances your Catholic faith with a study group prior to July 31. The renewal extends the Catechist Certification for the upcoming academic year. Self-study does not count toward certification. You do not need to take the full Catechist Certification course again to renew your Certificate.