Catholic Open University – Institutional, Accreditation & Tuition FAQs

Question 1

Can I use the Honorary Doctorate Degree from Catholic Open University for employment, licensing or as a professional qualification?

Accepted Answer

No. The Honorary Doctorate Degree from Catholic Open University is an honorary title of recognition, not a traditional academic degree. It recognises outstanding contributions and allows the holder to be addressed as Doctor (Dr.) in honorary and ceremonial contexts, but it cannot be used as a formal academic or professional qualification for employment, licensing, immigration or as an entry requirement for further studies.

Question 2

Is Catholic Open University an authentic Catholic institution?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Catholic Open University is a faith-inspired Catholic online institution that operates in harmony with the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition. Its mission and values are rooted in Catholic teaching and it is verified by the World Catholic Online Education Association (WCOEA) as a trusted Catholic provider of higher education.

Question 3

What is the accreditation status of Catholic Open University?

Accepted Answer

Catholic Open University was founded in 2022 and holds private international accreditation and certification from the Global Accreditation Council for Online Learning (GACOL). It is also verified by the World Catholic Online Education Association (WCOEA). This private accreditation is suitable for the current offerings, including the Research & Publishing Program, Digital Library and Honorary Doctorate Degree Award Program.

Question 4

Is the Honorary Doctorate Degree from Catholic Open University equivalent to a traditional PhD or academic doctorate?

Accepted Answer

No. The Honorary Doctorate Degree is not equivalent to a traditional PhD or academic doctorate obtained through coursework, supervised research and a defended thesis. It is a symbolic academic honour that acknowledges exceptional contributions and does not replace a formally earned research degree or guarantee recognition for academic hiring or tenure-track positions.

Question 5

When will Catholic Open University launch its online postgraduate degree programmes and what recognition will support them?

Accepted Answer

Catholic Open University plans to launch online postgraduate degree programmes in the 2028–2029 period. The university is working to complement its existing private accreditation from GACOL with suitable governmental or national recognition aligned with respected quality-assurance frameworks so that future postgraduate degrees are backed by transparent and credible accreditation.

Question 6

What payment options does Catholic Open University offer for its programmes and memberships?

Accepted Answer

Catholic Open University offers flexible payment options such as monthly, yearly and, where available, lifetime one-time payments. All tuition and plan payments are processed online through a secure encrypted gateway to provide a safe transaction experience for international students and honorary doctorate candidates.

Question 7

How does publishing work at Catholic Open University and do authors retain their rights?

Accepted Answer

Accepted works are published in the Catholic Open University Digital Library under the Publications section after a structured editorial and academic review process designed to protect quality and ethics. Authors retain full copyright and intellectual property rights and grant the university permission to host and display their work, while remaining free to reuse and republish it elsewhere.