Request Information

Spiritual Direction Certificate

The Spiritual Direction Certificate (SDC) is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and supervision for future spiritual directors. The certificate seeks to respond to the ongoing need for followers of Jesus Christ to assist one another on their path of becoming disciples of the Lord.

Overview

The SDC is made up of six online classes which include two four-day onsite residences, and practicum. The pillars of the program include: integration of theological and human sciences as they relate to spiritual development; learning the art and skills of human interactions; and the fruitful experience of supervision.

Courses

SDC 100: Life in Christ and Spiritual Direction
SDC 200: Human Development for Spiritual Direction
SDC 300: Relating Skills for Spiritual Direction (with a residency in week 7)
SDC 400: Discernment and Spiritual Growth: Theory and Practice
SDC 500: Advanced Spiritual Direction Skills and Practicum: Putting Out into the Deep (with a residency in week 2)
SDC 600: Advanced Prayer and Situations

Program Outcomes

  • Experience a strong professional spiritual director identity with the foundational knowledge and skills of the ministry.
  • Demonstrate profound self-awareness, including one’s own internal movements and patterns of reacting to others and to circumstances.
  • Demonstrate adequate knowledge of human nature, including the findings of the human and behavioral sciences regarding attachment styles, personality differences, developmental stages, psychological obstacles to flourishing, and of the spiritual life and workings of supernatural grace in the human person.
  • Exhibit a pastoral approach to encouraging gradual moral and spiritual development, respecting both the truths of the moral and spiritual life and the unique dignity and goodness of each person.

Requirements

The admission process for the Spiritual Direction Certificate is two tiered.

Applicants must provide the following for initial admission:

  1. Completed application form submitted online and payment of application fee.
  2. Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s pastor or faith leader.

 

After successful completion of the SDC 100 & 200, students are considered as candidates for the certificate and to continue the program. There is a short interview process for this step.

Requirements for Completion

  1. Successful completion of the six courses and residencies.
  2. Successful completion of practicum (60 hours of supervised practicum over a minimum of 6 months)
  3. Spiritual exercises of at least five full days in duration, or the equivalent subject to review and approval by the program director.

Ready to take the next step?

Need More Information?

Talk to the program director, and let us help you decide if this certificate is right for you. Simply click on one of the contact methods below:

– or –