Program Overview
EPS was established more than 30 years ago to address a need brought to light in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. The Church teaches that spiritual formation is a lifelong process, yet many adult Catholics, whose formal education in the faith ended at confirmation, lack a mature understanding of their faith.
EPS enables Catholics to understand, live and share their faith by providing students with spiritual formation and the highest quality religious education through its certificate program, single courses and the EPS Forum. It offers a rigorous curriculum with courses spanning five areas of study: Scripture, theology, Church history, spirituality and pastoral theology.
Taught by Catholic theologians from area universities and seminaries, professionals in pastoral ministry and pastors, EPS courses provide students with knowledge and confidence to participate fully in the Church’s mission of evangelization. To accommodate students’ busy schedules, courses are offered in flexible four-, six-, and eight-week installments.
At the beginning of each course, instructors give students a comprehensive question which guides students as they work their way through the extensive required reading, and allows them to fully integrate and discuss course content. The goal is to enable students to confidently apply their growing theological understanding of Church teaching into their daily lives.
In addition to developing intellectually, EPS students grow spiritually through participation in liturgy, prayer, retreats and theological reflection. Finally, EPS gives students tools to apply their faith in their daily lives, with their family, friends and co-workers or in volunteer or paid ministries in their parishes or communities.
It costs EPS $1,500 to educate each student each year. EPS is funded solely through tax-deductible contributions from students, graduates, friends, parishes and religious communities, all of whom benefit from EPS. See our financial policy. Donate now.
See the 2010-11 course schedule for a complete list of upcoming courses in Washington, Virginia and Connecticut.
For more information about the program, see Frequently Asked Questions.
