Catholic Distance University (CDU) is a private Roman Catholic university based in Hamilton, Virginia in the United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees by distance learning." Established in 1983 in the Arlington diocese by Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh, CDU offers an accredited bachelor's degree completion program in theology, a master's degree in theology, and a variety of catechetical certificates. CDU's programs aim to meet the goals set out in the Ex Corde Ecclesiae issued by Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic colleges and universities. CDU was the first Catholic institution to offer an MA in Theology with no residence requirement.