Study the Catechism in a Year

The ‘Catechism in a Year’ podcast from Ascension Press is wildly popular, and we love it.

But it’s only a first step. When he was with us, Cardinal Ratzinger called the Catechism a ‘manual for happiness.’ The beauty of the Catechism is that it can be continually read, prayed and studied.

That’s what we do here at the ICT; we offer the next step by reading, praying and studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Over an academic year, we study the text of the Catechism, deepen our understanding of the Lord’s plan for our lives, and enjoy times of fellowship with Catholics from throughout Arizona and abroad.

Courses To Take

We cover the entire Catechism in two semester-length courses:

  • In the Fall, we cover the first two sections of the Catechism (the Creed and sacraments) in our 'Catechism I - Creed and Sacraments ' course (ICT 101).

    • The Catechism I: Creed and Sacraments will explore the main doctrinal elements of the Church’s creeds, examining how God saves us and how we participate in that through the sacramental life of the Church.  The course will introduce the student to the key structure and themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and give an overview of the nature of revelation, the response of faith, liturgy and sacraments.

  • In the Spring, we cover the last two sections of the Catechism (morality and prayer) in our 'Catechism II - Morality and Prayer' course (ICT 103).

    • The Catechism II: Morality and Prayer will build on the creedal and sacramental foundations of the Church by exploring the second half of the Catechism.  In particular, it will examine key moral principles that guide individual and social behavior in light of revelation, as well as look at the Ten Commandments and their impact on Christian living.  The course culminates in an introduction to the Church’s life of prayer, with a particular examination of the Lord’s Prayer.

These courses allow the student to be guided in deeper study, have their questions answered, interact with students and professors, and deepen their love for Christ.

Participants can start in either the Fall or Spring course.

84 hours of continuing education are available for Catholic school teachers, deacon and catechists (42 hours for each semester).

Earn Credit Towards UMary's MA in Applied Catholic Theology

Students in the ICT’s Study the Bible in a Year and Study the Catechism in a Year programs can receive Prior Learning credit from the University of Mary. 

ICT students who successfully complete the coursework in the Study the Catechism in a Year and Study the Bible in a Year programs will have the opportunity to receive credit through the University of Mary’s ‘Prior Learning’ process. This exciting development offers a new pathway toward the University’s MA in Applied Catholic Theology, which consists of three “stackable” (combined) certificates, in the areas of:

  • Sacred Scripture
  • Evangelization and Catechesis
  • Prayer and Spiritual Direction 


The Master of Arts in Applied Catholic Theology prepares graduates to authentically live and share the Gospel. Students undertake a vibrant plan of study that provides the necessary intellectual, personal, and spiritual formation to communicate the joy of Catholic life in our contemporary age.

ICT Students can receive prior learning credit from the University of Mary and apply it towards graduate certificates and degrees.

In addition to the paying the ICT $150 per ICT course, students doing homework pay an additional:

  • $120 grading fee to ICT for graduate credit
  • $330 prior learning credit fee to University of Mary for graduate ‘Prior Learning’ credit
  • Total costs for three graduate credits
    • $150 – ICT Course Fee
    • $120 – ICT Grading Fee
    • $330 – Umary Prior Learning Credit Fee
    • $600. Total Cost per graduate student for Three Credits


Payment information will be available after logging into the ICT course.

ICT/UMary Course Equivalencies:

ICT 102 Word of God

UMary THE 510 Mystery of the Sacred Page

ICT 101 Catechism I

UMary THE 521 The Catechism I – Creed and Sacraments

ICT 103 Catechism II

UMary THE 522 The Catechism II – Morality and Prayer

Note: To receive Prior Learning credit, ICT students must successfully complete all assignments in their ICT courses.

Register Here

  • $150.00

    Catechism I - Creed and Sacraments - Fall 2025

    Learn More

Instructor

Institute Director Eric Westby, PhD

Dr. Eric J. Westby is the Director of the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the Director of Parish Catechesis at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, coordinating Christian initiation for adults, teens and children. He teaches theology for the University of Mary, specializing in the areas of foundational doctrine, evangelization and catechetics. Through his studies at the Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England, he received his doctorate from Liverpool Hope University, with his thesis entitled "Equipping the Catechist of Catechists: A Critical Discussion of Seminary Formation in Light of Priestly Ministry in Catechesis." He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University in Steubenville, from where he was the first student to complete the graduate specialization in catechetics. He holds a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center for Ministry Development, and has been involved in full-time catechesis since 1988. He is a regular presenter at the summer St. John Bosco Catechetical Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has published articles in the Catholic University of America's International 'Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics'; in Franciscan University's 'Catechetical Review'; and in Emmaus Academic's In Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization. He has developed OCIA and youth ministry curricula, available through the Institute of Catholic Theology. Most importantly, he is husband to Nikki, is the father of five beautiful girls, has one son-in-law, and has one grandchild.

What our Past Students Say

Taking these classes was truly an adventure to learn more deeply my faith. I expanded my understanding and knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ and applied the lessons I learned to my life.  If you have the thirst and hungry to grow closer to God and how it can help you to spread the love and message of the true teaching of the Catholic Church, this is it. I am blessed and grateful that I made this sacrifice of love for my Lord to have taken this course.  It has opened for me an opportunity to continue to seek and to learn more of my faith.