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Specialized Ministry Training
The School of Ministry provides specialized training for various ministries. Below are links to our upcoming trainings.
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Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
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Dayton University Partnership - Online Courses
Cycle 3 of the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community
The School of Ministry invites everyone to register for the VLCFF courses. We ask that those registering for the first time pre-register with the School of Ministry before registering with the University of Dayton. You will be sent additional information and instructions on how to properly register with the university. To pre-register please click the link at the bottom of this page.
for Faith Formation (VLCFF) courses will be starting soon!
Registration for Cycle 5 opens on Wednesday, June 3, 2026
and closes on Thursday, July 16, 2026
Below is the list of courses in this cycle that are recommended for participants in the Basic Theology for Ministry (BTM) and Advanced Theology for Ministry (ATM) programs. This cycle runs from July 20, 2026 to August 23, 2026.
BTM (English/Spanish):
Bible Basics
Sacramentos
ATM Year 1 (English/Spanish):
Church History 2
Historia de la Iglesia 2
Note: The School of Ministry and University of Dayton VLCFF Partnership is open to ALL in the Diocese of Stockton. Aside from the courses mentioned above, Cycle 6 offers other courses for on-going formation. For more information, please contact the School of Ministry office at 209-466-0636 or email at [email protected]. To view a list of what courses are offered through Dayton's VLCCF program visit their website at https://vlcff.udayton.edu/
To pre-register click HERE -
Ministry Formation Courses (BTM & ATM)
On-LineThe School of Ministry provides the Basic Theology for Ministry (BTM) and the Advanced Theology for Ministry (ATM) courses in English and Spanish. These adult studies of the teachings of the Catholic Church are the foundational courses for ministry formation in the Diocese of Stockton.
The BTM course fulfills the theological requirements for all diocesan ministry certification and Catechist Certification from the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. This is a pre-requisite to register for the ATM course. Although intended for lay ecclesial ministers, this course is open to all Catholic adults.
The ATM is a more in-depth study of topics introduced in the BTM for those who wish to continue their study of theology, who wish to become a master catechist and also the theological component of the diaconate process.
Please check on the Events and News page for upcoming cycles and their registration window or contact our office at 209-466-0636.
Participants are asked to register with the Diocese before registering with Dayton University. After registering through the Diocese you will receive instructions on how to register through Dayton. To register for either of the courses please select the link below
In-Person
Para información de cursos en Español selecione el enlace: