Catholic Educator Formation and Credential Program
The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education is now offering a robust alternative to state teacher licensure: a credential program that prepares educators to infuse a deeply Catholic philosophy and practice of education into their teaching.
In the absence of an educator credential program based entirely in the Catholic intellectual tradition, many Catholic schools and superintendents have required state teacher licenses even though most are not required by law to do so. This ICLE program was created to fill the gap. The credential earned by teachers in ICLE’s Catholic Educator Formation and Credential (CEFC) program is designed to be portable and recognized by dioceses across the nation in lieu of state licensure. Consult your diocesan office to explore approval, or consider the credential program for your own personal formation, whether or not you hold a teaching license.
A 2-Minute Overview of the CEFC
What Will I Learn?
Are you a teacher looking for answers?
- How can you utilize classroom discipline effectively?
- How can you design a lesson plan that leads students to self-discovery?
- How can you decorate a classroom to radiate beauty?
- How can you use picture studies to cultivate wonder?
If you are a Catholic schools teacher seeking robust formation, the CEFC is for you.
The CEFC is an 18-month program of five integrated courses delivered through in-person workshops and distance learning.
WHY CEFC?
I learned so much more about my Catholic faith and teaching the whole child with an eye toward getting them to Heaven and creating saints. This has changed my perspective completely and I’m excited to bring it back to my school.
This really has been the best education/preparation for teaching that I have received. It is both theological/theoretical, but also down-to-earth and practical and applicable. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this program.
2025 National Cohort Digital Brochure
Currently accepting on a rolling basis
The National Cohort
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 cohort. Review of the applications will begin in February 2025. There will be rolling admissions until all spots are filled. We will begin notifying accepted applicants in March 2025.
Prior to applying for the National cohort, please check below to see if you qualify to participate in a Regional or Diocesan cohort!
Questions?
Please direct all questions regarding the National Cohort to Dr. DeAnn Stuart.
Information for the 2025-2026 Program
Schedule & Location
The CEFC is an 18-month program of five integrated courses delivered through in-person workshops and distance learning:
In-person dates: July 28-August 1, 2025; January 15-19, 2026; and June 15-19, 2026
Location: The Augustine Institute campus, 16805 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63034
Online components: Conducted via synchronous and asynchronous meetings; also includes teacher observations via video recordings.
Requirements
The National Cohort is available to teachers nationally and internationally and consists of both in-person and online components. Regular attendance of online sessions and attendance at the in-person gatherings is required for all participants.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and a teaching position to be eligible for the National Cohort.
Cost & Payment Information
Tuition: $5,900 plus books ($100-200)
Lodging/Meal Costs for three in-person gatherings:
$1,975 total. Accommodations are provided at the Augustine Institute campus (16805 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63034), and all meals are provided.
Payment Options:
Two payment options are offered. These plans cover the cost of tuition and lodging/meal costs for the in-person workshops.
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- Monthly Payment Plan: $7,975
- $1,975 deposit required within 21 days of acceptance
- 15-month automatic, online payment plan ($400/month) beginning in September of year one and concluding in November of year two
- Pay in Full: $7,875*
- $1,975 deposit is required within 21 days of acceptance
- $5,900 remainder paid prior to September 30th of year one
- Monthly Payment Plan: $7,975
*A $100 admin fee is waived for this payment option
Cancellation Policy:
All payments are non-refundable.
For questions on financing, please contact Elisabeth Seeley, Operations Associate, at eseeley@CatholicLiberalEducation.org or 844-425-3832 x 705.
Scholarships & Funding Options
Title Funding:
Title funds (federal monies administered by your Local Educational Agency) may be available to help offset participant costs related to this program. Past participants in this program have successfully secured partial title funding.
Title Funding Information [PDF]
Scholarships for Clergy and Vowed Religious:
A limited number of partial, needs-based scholarships are reserved specifically for clergy and vowed religious interested in participating in this program. If you are a member of the clergy or a vowed religious interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete this scholarship request form.
Regional & diocesan Cohorts
ICLE works closely with several diocesan partners to provide targeted formation for the teachers in their area. While these Cohorts follow the same curriculum as our National cohort, exact costs, application processes & dates, and consideration requirements may vary.
Western REgional Cohort
More information coming soon!
Oklahoma City & Tulsa
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa collaborate to offer the CEFC to teachers actively employed in one of their schools.
2025 Oklahoma City & Tulsa Cohort Digital Brochure
How to Apply:
Interested teachers should apply through the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma
Questions:
Please direct all questions regarding the Oklahoma City Cohort to Dr. Aly Barnes.
Graduate School Partnerships
Graduates of ICLE’s CEFC Program are eligible to apply credit toward the following graduate programs:
Meet Your Instructors
Ryan Messmore, Ph.D.
Director of the Credential Program
DeAnn Stuart, Ph.D.
Associate Director of the Credential Program
Alyssan Barnes, Ph.D.
Associate Director of the Credential Program
David Gockowski
Associate Director of the Credential Program
Caitlin Dillon, Ph.D.
Faculty Consultant
Allison Buras
Faculty Consultant
Merrill Roberts, Ph.D.
Faculty Consultant
Alisha Barker
Faculty Consultant
Arthur Hippler, Ph.D.
Faculty Consultant
CONTACT US
If you have a specific question or would like to learn more about the CEFC program, please complete the form below.
TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS & PARTNERS
“[O]ur teachers now have access to a truly formative experience that honors their dignity as human people, preparing them in the best of our Catholic tradition made anew for the reality of our times, and giving them sound pedagogical tools rooted in Catholic principles. CEFC has truly been a blessing for the Archdiocese of Denver!” – Superintendent Elias J. Moo
“This experience was hospitable, empowering, refreshing. I was drawn into the depth and beauty of Catholic liberal education and equipped with everything I needed to confidently approach my first year of teaching.”
“I feel that I have found my desired vocation after this [program]. I left each day excited and filled, knowing I am being formed in how to share truth with my students and that there is a place and way to do it. I knew I wanted to share the Gospel with youth but did not know how after graduating college, and now I know how! Through teaching!”
“This really has been the best education/preparation for teaching that I have received. It is both theological/theoretical, but also down-to-earth and practical and applicable. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this program.”
“I greatly appreciated the balance of seminar/ lecture with interactive lessons and time to engage with and practice the techniques given. I also enjoyed being able to observe [the instructors] utilize many of the strategies taught.”
“I am so inspired! It’s easy to start to fall flat in my enthusiasm for teaching, but now I have so many tools to encourage wonder in myself and in my students.”
“Each time I come here I am more confident that this type of Catholic education is the correct one and the one that will help these students discover Truth and reach Heaven.”
“I learned so much more about my Catholic faith and teaching the whole child with an eye toward getting them to Heaven and creating saints. This has changed my perspective completely and I’m excited to bring it back to my school.”