A Curriculum Review of 30 Spiritual Direction Certificate Programs

 

This is a compiled list from reviewing content of their websites, though not all programs appear to offer all noted here below.

Reviewed and written by Karen Shields Wright

Types of Programs

University Programs

• Graduate Credits  - 18-21 credits 2-3 years of study  with prerequisites of a Masters related to Spirituality, Ministry, Theology, or the like.

• Graduate Certificate – non credit with prerequisites of an undergraduate degree only

 

Retreat Houses, Independent Programs

• Certificate – non credit with prerequisites of an undergraduate degree or not

 

Independent Programs- non Profit

• Certificate – non credit with some or no prerequisites

 

 

The Curriculum

Nature and Purpose of Spiritual Direction

• The Practice

• Art of Accompaniment

  • Introduction to Counseling

  • Interpersonal Communication Skills

 

Catholic Spirituality - History

• Traditions – Carmelite, Benedictine, Franciscan, Augustian,  Ignatian

 

Christian Tradition of Prayer

•  Foundations and Practices

• Spiritual and Mystical Traditions

• Stages of Prayer

• What happens in prayer

  

The Human Person

• Christian Anthropology

• Human Development

• Psychology at the Intersection of Spiritual Direction

 

The Spiritual Life

• Spiritual Development

• Discernment of Spirits

 

The Catholic Tradition

• Biblical Theology

• Sacramental Theology

• Moral Theology/Practical Theology

 

Practicum

• Supervision

• Role Playing- Case Studies – group identity

• Themes

  • Life of virtue and service, shame, resilience, resistance, sacramental imagination

 

 

Post Certificates

• Directed Retreats

• The Spiritual Exercises

• Supervision