A STRUCTURED ACADEMIC PATHWAY SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL RESEARCH BY SCHOLARS AND PROFESSIONALS.
Approved works are academically evaluated and published in the institutional Digital Library
Catholic Open University
A faith-inspired 100% online university dedicated to research, publishing, honorary doctorate and postgraduate excellence.
Catholic Open University | COU Research & Study Center is a fully online institution dedicated to recognizing and cultivating outstanding academic, professional, and social contributions through rigorous study, ethical research, and high-impact publishing.
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Catholic Open University welcomes professional authors, researchers, and practitioners from around the world who seek a Catholic, ethical, and future-oriented academic home.
Academic Programs & Recognition Pathways
Catholic Open University academic and recognition framework brings together three main pillars:
The Research & Publishing Program, the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award, and online postgraduate degrees at master’s and doctoral level. Together, they form a complete ecosystem for scholarly growth, recognition, and impact.
Research & Publishing Program
The Research & Publishing Program offers a structured pathway for authors, researchers, and practitioners to produce and publish scholarly work under academic supervision.
The program ensures:
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Ethical research standards
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High-quality academic writing
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Transparent review and evaluation
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Eligibility for academic recognition, including the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award
This program is the foundation of COU’s academic culture, connecting researchers worldwide to a unified scholarly platform.
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Honorary Doctorate Degree
The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award recognizes exemplary scholarly contributions published through the Research & Publishing Program.
It is:
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Merit-based
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Non-taught
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Not for sale
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Granted only upon successful publication approved by the COU Research & Study Center
The degree is designed to highlight exceptional academic impact and meaningful contributions to the University’s Digital Library.
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COU Digital Library
The Digital Library is the University’s central academic repository.
It preserves, catalogs, and provides access to all approved research output published through the COU Research & Study Center, including:
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Research articles
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Academic studies
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Scholarly papers
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Transdisciplinary works
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Publications qualifying for academic recognition such as the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award
Each publication is assigned a permanent digital entry, ensuring global accessibility and long-term academic visibility.
Postgraduate Programs
• Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence • Master of Science in Digital Business & Innovation
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence
Catholic Open University is preparing fully online postgraduate degrees in applied artificial intelligence, digital business & innovation, and AI-focused PhD studies. These programs combine academic rigor with practical application to equip professionals to lead in an increasingly intelligent and digital world.
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Mission, Vision & Catholic Identity
Catholic Open University is a 100% online Catholic university that unites research, faith, and ethical responsibility, offering fully online delivery across its Honorary Doctorate Program, postgraduate degrees, and its Publishing Program, which provides individuals with a formal pathway to develop, share, and publish their scholarly work. Designed to advance knowledge, inspire innovation, and empower transformative leaders, COU equips learners to address real-world challenges in a rapidly changing digital age.
Our Mission
To provide a scholarly, professional, and globally accessible online environment that empowers researchers, authors, and postgraduate students to develop work of lasting value without compromising academic rigor or ethical depth.
Our Vision
To be a leading online Catholic institution where research, publishing, and postgraduate study empower individuals to generate new knowledge, influence public discourse, and leave a legacy of integrity, justice, and human dignity.
An International Online Community
A Global Online Community of Scholars
Catholic Open University welcomes international applicants from a wide range of professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds. Because all programs are delivered fully online, students and authors can participate from anywhere in the world while continuing their careers, families, and community commitments.
Flexible, practice-oriented pathways
Designed to support working professionals who seek a structured space to research, write, and publish in parallel with their existing responsibilities.
Guidance from experienced scholars
Participants benefit from international faculty, personalized mentorship, and access to the COU Research & Study Center community.
Ethical, Catholic, and future-oriented
Programs in artificial intelligence, digital business, and research are taught within a Catholic moral framework that emphasizes human dignity, justice, and responsible innovation.
What you can expect from the COU learning experience
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Online seminars, research supervision, and publishing workshops tailored to adult learners.
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Opportunities to collaborate with peers on cross-disciplinary projects and co-authored publications.
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Pathways that link research and publications with formal academic recognition, including the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award.
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A supportive academic culture grounded in respect, intellectual honesty, and service to the human person.
Find out how to register as an international student by visiting the admission page.
Scholarships
Scholarship Support for Professional Authors, Researchers & Writers
Catholic Open University offers partial and full tuition scholarships to support outstanding professionals who wish to strengthen their research, publishing, and public impact within the Catholic Open University academic environment for the Research & Publishing Program.
Who is eligible?
Scholarships are designed for professional authors, researchers, and writers who already demonstrate a high level of quality in academic, scientific, literary, or recognized professional forums.
Research & Publishing Program Scholarships (25% – 100%)
The Professional Publishing Scholarship is available exclusively for applicants to the Research & Publishing Program who can demonstrate a track record of producing high-quality published work on external platforms.
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Scholarships cover 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of tuition fees.
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Recipients remain responsible for any publication-related costs where applicable.
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Scholarships are awarded based on portfolio strength, documented quality, and alignment with COU’s mission.
To be considered, applicants must submit evidence of published work, a detailed CV, and a short motivation statement. All scholarship applications are submitted through the online form on the Scholarships page.
Catholic Headlines
​Frequently Asked Questions About Catholic Open University
1. What is Catholic Open University and what academic pathways does it offer?
Catholic Open University is a fully online Catholic institution that focuses on research, publishing, and postgraduate education. The university offers four main academic pathways including the Research and Publishing Program, the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award based on publishing achievement, online postgraduate programs in advanced fields, and the COU Research and Study Center Digital Library which hosts official COU publications.
2. How does the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award work and who is eligible to receive it?
The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award is granted only to candidates who meet the publishing criteria of the Research and Publishing Program and whose approved work is published in the Catholic Open University Research and Study Center Digital Library. It is not a taught program and it cannot be purchased. The award is based solely on publishing accomplishment, academic merit, and contribution to knowledge. It is an honorary recognition of personal and scholarly achievement, not an earned academic qualification, and it is not intended for employment purposes.
3. What is the Research and Publishing Program and who is it designed for?
The Research and Publishing Program is designed for individuals who want to publish their research studies, articles, or professional documents in a distinguished and trusted academic environment. It enables authors, researchers, postgraduate students, and professionals to achieve official publication in the COU Research and Study Center Digital Library, giving their work academic visibility and credibility.
4. What is the Research and Study Center Digital Library and how are publications hosted there?
The Research and Study Center Digital Library is the official online archive of Catholic Open University. It preserves approved research articles, research studies, and related academic outputs as official publications of the university. Works appear in the Digital Library only after they have been reviewed and accepted through Catholic Open University’s academic publishing processes. The library provides a permanent and distinguished academic record for authors and offers global readers online access to selected publications.
5. How does Catholic Open University present its Catholic faith, mission, and identity on the homepage?
Catholic Open University presents its Catholic identity through its mission, vision, and academic purpose. The homepage explains that the university is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and is guided by values that promote human dignity, ethical research, and service to the common good. Catholic Open University welcomes learners from all backgrounds while remaining grounded in Catholic ethics, social teaching, and spiritual values.
6. What does it mean that Catholic Open University is an international online community of scholars?
Catholic Open University describes itself as an international online community where students, authors, researchers, and professionals participate from many countries. The university operates as a digital campus that enables cross border collaboration, academic mentoring, and intercultural dialogue. Participants can continue their personal and professional responsibilities while engaging in advanced online research and learning.
7. What scholarships and financial support opportunities are highlighted on the homepage?
The homepage presents scholarship opportunities for authors, researchers, writers, and students who enroll in programs at Catholic Open University. Depending on eligibility, scholarships may include partial tuition reductions or special financial conditions. Detailed information about each opportunity is provided on the relevant program and scholarship page linked from the homepage.
8. How is Catholic Open University accredited, recognized, and quality assured?
Catholic Open University currently operates under private accreditation through the Global Accreditation Council for Online Learning (GACOL) under reference number: Certification ID: GACOL-3257 / Accreditation ID: 3257-001.
This private accreditation is fully sufficient and appropriate for the university’s active programs, including the Research and Publishing Program and the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award, since these programs focus on publishing achievement, academic contribution, and honorary recognition rather than the conferral of earned academic degrees.
Catholic Open University is also recognized by the World Catholic Online Education Association (WCOEA) as a trusted Catholic provider of online education and academic publishing.
For postgraduate programs such as the MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence, the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation, and the PhD in Artificial Intelligence, the university is currently in the development and preparation phase for obtaining full governmental accreditation from internationally recognized quality assurance bodies before these programs open for student enrollment. These agencies appear in international directories such as CHEA and EQAR. Catholic Open University will launch postgraduate programs only after the required governmental accreditation is fully granted.
Catholic Open University explains openly that any academic degree intended for employment or professional use must come from a government-accredited program. This is why the university treats its accreditation roadmap with great seriousness and clarity.
The Research and Publishing Program and the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award do not serve employment purposes and therefore operate fully and appropriately under the university’s current private accreditation.
Catholic Open University maintains complete transparency about its accreditation status, both current and future. This commitment to clarity and honesty is one of the reasons Catholic Open University is regarded as a highly trusted online institution.
9. What are the Catholic Headlines on the homepage and why are they included?
Catholic Headlines is a curated feature on the homepage that presents selected news and articles from reliable Catholic and academic sources. The purpose is to help students, researchers, and visitors stay informed about developments in the Catholic world, higher education, ethics, technology, and global affairs. The links lead to external sources and are intended for learning, reflection, and study.
10. Is Catholic Open University entirely online and how does online learning work?
Yes. Catholic Open University is a fully online university. The learning model includes live sessions, recorded lectures, academic supervision, and access to the Research and Study Center Digital Library. Students may study from any country and choose schedules that support their personal and professional commitments.
11. What makes Catholic Open University different from other online institutions?
Catholic Open University stands out for its commitment to research, publishing, ethical academic development, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. The university’s model prioritizes meaningful academic contribution rather than volume-based enrollment.
A major point of distinction is the emphasis on official academic publication through the Catholic Open University Research and Study Center Digital Library, giving authors, researchers, and professionals an opportunity to produce work that is formally recognized and preserved. The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award, granted strictly based on publishing accomplishment and ethical academic merit, further reinforces this unique mission.
Catholic Open University also differentiates itself through its future postgraduate programs, which are being designed to meet full governmental accreditation standards before they open for student enrollment.
These upcoming master's and doctoral programs will combine academic rigor with 0% interest monthly instalments, making high-quality postgraduate education accessible to learners worldwide.
This combination of transparency, research-driven pathways, ethical standards, official publication opportunities, and accessible postgraduate study positions Catholic Open University among the most trusted and mission-focused online academic institutions.
12. How does Catholic Open University ensure academic quality and integrity?
Catholic Open University ensures academic integrity through structured publishing criteria, academic review processes, qualified supervisors, and external recognition frameworks. All publications in the Research and Study Center Digital Library undergo academic evaluation before acceptance. The university maintains transparent policies for verification and recognition.
13. Who can join Catholic Open University and are international applicants welcome?
Catholic Open University welcomes applicants from all countries. The university accepts students, authors, and researchers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Since all programs are delivered online, international participants may enroll without relocation or residency requirements.
14. How can someone begin the admissions process at Catholic Open University?
The homepage directs applicants to begin by choosing the academic pathway that matches their goals. The Admissions page provides full guidance on program selection, entry requirements, tuition, scholarships, and the online application process. Applicants may also contact the admissions team for personalized assistance.
Accreditation, Verification & Academic Framework
Catholic Open University | COU Research & Study Center within a transparent academic and quality-assurance framework consistent with Catholic higher education values and internationally recognized best practices.
Institutional Accreditation & Recognition
Catholic Open University / COU Research and Study Center is currently accredited by the Global Accreditation Council for Online Learning (GACOL), a recognized private international quality-assurance and accreditation body specializing in online higher-education institutions.
Certification ID: GACOL-3257 / Accreditation ID: 3257-001.
Catholic Open University / COU Research and Study Center is also recognized by the World Catholic Online Education Association (WCOEA) as a trusted provider of Catholic higher education that upholds international standards of academic integrity, institutional mission, and educational quality.
Alignment with International Quality Assurance Frameworks
Catholic Open University is accredited by a recognized private international quality-assurance authority specializing in online higher-education institutions and private universities. In parallel, the University actively reviews and benchmarks its internal academic quality-assurance policies against widely respected international higher-education standards.
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These benchmark reference standards include frameworks and best-practice guidance associated with bodies such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA, United States) and the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR, Europe), which are cited strictly for comparative and reference purposes only. No claim of direct accreditation, recognition, affiliation, or endorsement by these bodies is made.
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Any updates related to external recognition or quality-assurance alignment are communicated only after formal confirmation and official institutional publication.
Status of Postgraduate Programs
It must be clearly understood that any institution claiming to issue officially recognized academic degrees without the required legal authorization and recognition applicable within its jurisdiction may be engaging in misleading or unlawful academic practice. Accordingly, Catholic Open University’s postgraduate degree programs are temporarily closed for admission and will open only after the completion of the required external quality-assurance and recognition processes necessary for postgraduate-level academic offerings.
Ethical Standards for Honorary Doctorate Awards
The programs currently offered by Catholic Open University, including the Research & Publishing Program and the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award, operate fully within the scope of the University’s existing accreditation and recognition status. The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award constitutes an honorary academic distinction granted in recognition of significant scholarly, professional, and publishing contributions and does not represent an earned academic qualification for employment purposes. Under the University’s current accreditation framework, these offerings are academically ethical, legally compliant, transparent, and institutionally appropriate.
This framework is publicly accessible to ensure transparency, accountability, and academic integrity.
Ethical Standards for Honorary Doctorate Degrees
Any institution offering honorary doctorate degrees for sale or in exchange for money is engaging in unethical and misleading academic practice, and any individual who purchases such a title risks serious consequences, including significant reputational damage. Honorary doctorate degrees are never intended to be sold under any circumstances.
At Catholic Open University, the Honorary Doctorate is strictly an academic award granted to individuals who demonstrate outstanding publishing achievement through the Research & Publishing Program. The purpose of this award is to recognize excellence, motivate scholars and professionals to contribute meaningful research, and formally highlight their academic contributions within the Catholic Open University Digital Library.
Catholic Open University does not sell honorary doctorates, nor does it request or accept payment in exchange for receiving an honorary distinction. Program fees apply solely to participation in the Research & Publishing Program as an academic publishing and research development service. The Honorary Doctorate award itself is granted at no cost, with no direct fees and no hidden charges.
This is why Catholic Open University stands as a transparent, ethical, and trusted academic institution for the recognition of honorary doctorate awards online.