[2] Catholic Distance University was established in 1983 in the Arlington diocese by Bishop Thomas Jerome Welsh.

[3] In 2015, the university relocated its headquarters to Charles Town, West Virginia, as part of its strategic vision.

In fall 2023, the university began offering an AA degree in Liberal Arts taught completely in Spanish.

[4] According to Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, in the academic year 2007–2008, CDU was the top Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program by number of enrollments.

All of the degree and certificate programs focus on theology, liberal arts, philosophy, Catholic social teaching, and related subjects.