Three  3 - Year Programs On Site 

• Ohio. Three-Year Program non-credit Certificate in Spiritual Direction.  A 24-Week Academic Year Program
 or 3 Summers Intensive Program

• Illinois - In partnership with the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois held the first two weeks of October for 3 consecutive years (2024 - 2026). Each fall session a 2-week "intensive."

• Connecticut On- site in partnership with Immaculate Conception Center  

Carmelite and Ignatian Franciscan Spirituality 

On-site  Connecticut - Three Year Program with  Two Weeks Winter Intensive costs $2800.00 per year includes lodging and meals. In addition to monthly sessions. Before the 3rd year students will make either form of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (30-day retreat or 19th Annotation). No prerequisites. 

In partnership with Franciscan University.

Carmelite and Ignatian Franciscan Spirituality 

Hybrid - Sterling Virgina Two -Year Program non-credit Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Prerequisites: under spiritual direction and completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Program 6 online classes + two four-day, on-site residences, practicum, and supervision. The online offered three times a year in eight-week segments. Integration of theological and human sciences as they relate to spiritual development.

General Spirituality with focus on psychology. 

Hybrid  - Ann Arbor MI. Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Prerequisites  - 4 Courses (6 weeks long each taken in sequence) through Avila Institute,  follow by completing the  Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius ( 19th or 30 Day) by a pre-approved retreat director. Then a 13 month - two week on site rest monthly program.
Carmelite Spirituality, General

On Line. MA Program. Obtain a Masters in Pastoral Studies with a concentration in Spiritual Direction. Downloadable sample program available.

The Passionist Spiritual Direction Program forms and certifies its participants as Passionist Spiritual Companions, by providing a three-year catholic formation and the integral growth of its participants, in five formation areas: Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Theology, Pastoral Theology, Communication & Human Development. Prereq: completed the Formation Toward Christian Ministry (FTCM)  by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and CMG Safe Environment training

Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats  Summers on site. 3 years with online courses throughout the year. Have pastoral experience and at least 30 years of age. 50% discount of tuition.  (Prerequisites of a BA in any field.  2 years under spiritual direction and an 8 day retreat given by the school).  Call to locate facility. 

Masters with a concentration in Spiritual Direction  or an 18-credit hour Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction ( with Master's Prerequisites). Must complete 30 day or 19th Annotation prior to conceptual element part of program. 

Ignatian Spirituality tradition. Course work online or campus option. Program includes  how to offer the Spiritual Exercises. All lay professors with 3 of the 10 are Catholic. 

This three-year spiritual director formation program, offered in partnership with the Center for Spiritual Development wit the Sisters of St. Jospeh in Orange, California. 18 credits - 3  courses 6 credits each. The Art of Spiritual Direction I,II,III. Min age 35. Professors are the Sisters of St. Jospeh. 

MA in Spiritual Direction  or a Grad Certificate in Spiritual Direction

Hybrid program 20 credits, including 4 credit core course, 8-credit seminar and 8 credit practicum. Study online, on campus or a combination of both. Catholic and Augustinian educational mission,  3 Catholic faculty listed on website. Call to locate more info.

18 Credit Graduate Certificate of Spiritual Direction with Master's Prerequisites MA in Theology, Ministry, or a related field;  This program is offered online or on campus. Of 9 core facility 1 Jesuit, rest are laity Catholic orr eumencial.

Two-year certificate program in spiritual direction can be done on a non-credit basis or as part of the MA program. The Ignatian Spirituality Institute (ISI) offers a two-year educational program. First-year students learn about the life of Ignatius, the Spiritual Exercises, and the history of spirituality. In the second year, practical skills of spiritual direction are emphasized. Staff of 3- 1 Jesuit, 2 lay Catholics.

IN-PERSON 

Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation

 Three themes—prayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities—highlight the program. This advanced certificate is offered only in the summers and is completed over three summers

Graduate level with credits or undergraduate credit Certificate of Spiritual Direction with Prerequisites.: 30 hours course work in theology or the equivalent may be fulfilled in a variety of way.  Ignatian tradition history and the practice of spiritual direction, with particular emphasis on the Jesuit tradition, rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Spirituality & Psychology Seminar, Practicum. Campus or Online. Catholic tradition with all lay facility. 

Graduate level  18-credit, three-year program. Prerequisites of a masters in theology or relted subject. hybrid in-person and online.Faculty all Catholic, clergy, religious and lay. 

Benedictine tradition. 

18-credit Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction with Prerequisites 
Dominican Spirituality 

Two-Year Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction with Prerequisites and option for Master's credit
The Covenant School of Spiritual Direction

Two-Year Spiritual Direction non-credit Certificate Program with Theological Prerequisites

Two-Year Dioscean non-credit  Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Offered in complement to the university's certificate in Prayer and Spiritual Direction, the two-year, three-session  eligible for continuing education credit through the University of Mary.

Benediction Tradition: This 22 credit certificate integrates the strengths of graduate theological study with the rigors of hands-on practice and supported by deeply experienced supervisors. The Benedictine monastic tradition remains integral to this process.

This program can be completed fully online, but it is encouraged to come to campus for the two summer intensive courses.

Two Year academic prerequisite an undergraduate, or non-credit Certificate in Spiritual Direction.  

For persons not having a degree in theology or not having gone through Diaconate training, entrance into the Internship in Spiritual Direction requires a number of classes to be completed before entering the program. The next internships in Spiritual Direction will begin at Franciscan University in Baton Rouge and Grand Coteau near Lafayette for 2025 and New Orleans at the ASC in 2026.  Call (504) 861-3254 for information or to get an application. Applications Due April 1, 2025

 Ignatian tradition

 Bishop Mike Boulette  Founder: The primary ministry offered by St. Peter upon the Water is its three-year program for forming spiritual directors in the Catholic contemplative tradition.  A spiritual director formation program is a process by which a person of faith (a future spiritual director) becomes prepared to meet with another person of faith (a directee) in order to explore and strengthen the directee’s relationship with God. 

Atlanta Georgia Two-Year Certificate in Spiritual Direction with Prerequisites of completing the Spiritual Exercises and a retreat.On site and vis zoom.  Ignatian tradition

Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Dallas TX Prerequisites  -The SEEL

New Jersey & Pennsylvania: IN-PERSON  & VIRTUAL  2 year non-credit Certificate formation program to become an Ignatian Spiritual Directors and Directors of the 19th Annotation of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Pre-req have made the SEEL or 30-Day, with 3 years  under spiritual direction. ​​Loyola Jesuit Center and Saint Joseph's University

ISI Spiritual Companioning formation program is for persons who feel invited to the ministry of spiritual companioning in the Ignatian tradition as well as persons who desire to guide others in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. 3 year Certificate program

​St. Anthony Shrine ​ Jennie Isbell Shinn, Director of the Spiritual Direction Training. We welcome all with personal experience that includes a practice of daily prayer and at least three to five years experience of being in spiritual direction. Candidates are required to submit a completed application and two letters of recommendation, and to attend a personal interview.

​School of Spiritual Direction​.The Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction. The School is approved by the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida, and is in association with and certified by the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. The Spiritual Direction Program consists of 3 two-week sessions, each session a year apart.​

​School of Spiritual Direction​.The Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction.Cenacle School of Spiritual Direction opened in Houston, Texas in 2015 through an affiliate community, the MARIAN SERVANTS® of the Incarnate Wisdom. ​

Two-Year Program non-credit Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Ignatian Spirituality

18-month program launched in January 2016; evening sessions 

Our programs will begin again in the Fall of 2025, starting with the Faber Program. All programs will be held in person in Washington, DC.

Two-Year Program non-credit Certificate in Spiritual Direction ( non-academic Prerequisites under spiritual direction and completing the Spiritual Exercises).

Ignatian Spirituality 

30-Week non-credit Dioscean Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Diocesan program. Jane Guenther,  20 Archbishop May Dr.,  St. Louis MO 63119   janeguenther@archstl.org 314-792-7734

Spiritual Direction Training Program 2024-2027
Ignatian, General