Admissions
Academic Recognition Rooted in Merit and Legacy
Join the 100% online revolution shaping the future of education
Online Admissions at Catholic Open University
Join a global community of scholars dedicated to advancing knowledge, faith, and innovation through flexible, rigorous, and fully online education. Discover our 100% online programs that are now open for registration, and begin your journey toward academic excellence, professional growth, and meaningful impact on the world.
Currently Open for Admission
Research & Publishing Program
A structured pathway that guides authors and researchers from proposal to publication. Participants receive academic supervision, editorial guidance, and support in publishing original research, professional studies, or thought leadership works in the COU Central Digital Library.
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Honorary Doctorate Degree
The Honorary Doctorate is an academic award granted to individuals whose published work demonstrates sustained excellence, originality, and impact. The award recognizes extraordinary professional achievements and public contributions rather than coursework or traditional enrollment.
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COU Digital Library
The Digital Library is the official online academic repository of Catholic Open University, providing permanent access to approved research articles, studies, and scholarly publications that reflect the University's commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and global knowledge sharing.
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Postgraduate Programs
• Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence • Master of Science in Digital Business & Innovation
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence
COU 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.
Registration closed
Registration Closed
Registration Closed
Registration Closed
Why apply to the Research and Publishing Program?
The program is designed for learners who want to publish high quality academic work with expert guidance at every step.
We support you in developing, reviewing, and publishing your research through a clear and flexible online process.
Whether you are writing your first article or expanding your academic portfolio, our team helps you produce work with impact and credibility.
Global reach
Publish from anywhere and share your work with an international academic audience.Publish from anywhere and share your work with an international academic audience.
Innovative tools
Modern digital support, editorial coaching, and visibility tools strengthen your publishing success.
Academic quality
Clear research standards, structured support, and transparent review help you achieve credible results.
Purpose and ethics
Faith informed values guide your work toward integrity, responsibility, and the common good.
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Tuition & fees: Research & Publishing Program
Track | Tuition | Duration | Admission Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Scholarly Track | USD 30 / month | 12 months | No admission fee |
Advanced Track | USD 250 | 1 year | No admission fee |
Distinguished Track | USD 500 | Lifetime access | No admission fee |
Installments (if applicable) are interest-free and paid online via secure methods.
For more information regarding plans and fees for the Research & Publishing Program, please visit the enrollment page.
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Tuition & fees: Honorary Doctorate Program
Award | Tuition | Admission Fee |
|---|---|---|
Honorary Doctorate Degree | No tuition.
The honorary award is granted solely on the basis of publishing achievement | No admission or application fee |
The Honorary Doctorate is an academic distinction awarded in recognition of outstanding publishing achievements. It is granted to candidates whose work in the COU Research & Publishing Program demonstrates exceptional impact in their field. No tuition or admission fees are required for this award.
Transparency Note:
The Honorary Doctorate is an honorary academic title that recognizes exceptional publishing achievement. It is not an earned academic degree and cannot be used as a substitute for formal academic qualifications in employment, licensing, or academic admission.
Postgraduate programs designed for full government accreditation
offered with flexible monthly installments at 0% interest*
*These programs will officially commence only after full governmental accreditation is granted. he accreditation process is currently underway. Please stay tuned for updates
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Tuition & fees: Postgraduate Programs
Program | Study Mode | Tuition | Installments | Admission Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Full-time (1 year) | Total USD 9,540 | USD 790 / month (12 months) | USD 359 |
Part-time (2 years) | Total USD 9,540 | USD 395 / month (24 months) | USD 359 | |
MSc in Digital Business & Innovation (DBI) | Full-time (1 year) | Total USD 9,360 | USD 780 / month (12 months) | USD 359 |
Part-time (2 years) | Total USD 9,360 | USD 390 / month (24 months) | USD 359 | |
PhD in Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Full-time (4 years) | Total USD 13,392 | USD 279 / month (48 months) | USD 359 |
* Installments are interest-free and processed through secure online payment channels. Your official offer letter will include the exact payment schedule and due dates.
International Student Admissions
Catholic Open University welcomes applicants from all global education systems. As an online international university, we review each application holistically, considering the diversity of academic backgrounds, curricula, and national qualifications. International students can apply from anywhere in the world, and all programs are delivered fully online with flexible learning schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions at Catholic Open University
1. What programs are currently open for admission at Catholic Open University?
Catholic Open University is currently accepting applications for the Research and Publishing Program and for the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award based on publishing achievements.
Full information is available on the Research and Publishing Program page and the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award page.
The postgraduate programs, including the MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence, the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation, and the PhD in Artificial Intelligence, are listed on the Postgraduate Programs page but are not yet open for admission.
2. Is Catholic Open University a fully online institution? How are programs delivered?
Yes. Catholic Open University is a fully online institution. All programs use a flexible digital learning model that includes live sessions, recorded lectures, guided research supervision, and access to the COU Digital Library. Students may study from any country.
3. Who is the Research and Publishing Program designed for?
The Research and Publishing Program is designed for the following groups:
• Independent researchers who require structured academic guidance
• Postgraduate students preparing academic publications
• Professionals who wish to transform their expertise into peer reviewed work
A full overview is available on the Research and Publishing Program page.
4. What is the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award at Catholic Open University?
The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award recognizes exceptional publishing achievements. It is granted following a rigorous academic evaluation of the candidate’s published work.
A complete description and eligibility criteria are available on the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award page.
5. Are there tuition or admission fees for the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award?
The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award has no tuition fee and no administrative or evaluation fees. It is granted purely as an academic distinction based on publishing achievement. Catholic Open University does not charge any form of payment for the Honorary Doctorate.
6. When will Catholic Open University’s postgraduate programs open for admission?
Postgraduate programs will open for admission once full governmental accreditation is granted. Updates will be published on both the Postgraduate Programs page and the Admissions page.
Applicants may submit their email address to receive early notifications.
7. How does tuition work for the Research and Publishing Program?
Tuition is organized by track, with clearly defined monthly tuition and a set program duration.
Exact tuition amounts are available in the Tuition and Fees section of the Admissions page.
8. Are international applicants welcome at Catholic Open University?
Yes. Catholic Open University welcomes applicants from all international educational systems.
The International Applicants section of the Admissions page explains how different national qualifications are evaluated.
9. What academic background is required for the Research and Publishing Program?
Applicants should demonstrate the following:
• A relevant academic or professional background
• Motivation to conduct research and publish scholarly work
• Basic analytical and writing skills
Entry requirements are listed on the Research and Publishing Program page.
10. How does Catholic Open University ensure academic quality in an online environment?
Catholic Open University maintains academic quality through structured publishing criteria, rigorous evaluation procedures, qualified academic supervisors, and a strong commitment to ethics and originality.
Recognition and quality details are available on the About page.
11. Can I work while studying at Catholic Open University?
Yes. All programs are designed to support working professionals. Flexible online schedules allow students to balance employment with academic study.
Additional details may be found on the Admissions page.
12. Who can I contact if I still have questions about admissions?
You may contact the admissions team through the Contact Us page.
The team can assist with program selection, tuition information, instalment plans, and the full application process.
13. Are Catholic Open University’s postgraduate programs fully accredited?
The postgraduate programs, including the MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence, the MSc in Digital Business and Innovation, and the PhD in Artificial Intelligence, are designed to meet full governmental accreditation requirements.
They will officially begin once accreditation is granted.
Updates will be published on the Postgraduate Programs page and the Admissions page.
14. How do payments work for postgraduate programs? Are instalments available?
Postgraduate programs will be offered with zero percent interest monthly instalments.
Students will be able to distribute tuition payments across the study period without any financial charges.
Final tuition and instalment plans will be published once accreditation is complete.
Updates will appear on the Admissions page.
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.
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.
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.