Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation
An in-depth, intensive program of study to enhance one鈥檚 ability to mentor the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities.
Take the next step in your ministerial career and strengthen your ability to transform the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities. Three themes鈥攑rayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities鈥攈ighlight the program. This advanced certificate is offered only in the summers and is completed over three summers. The program includes discussions with faculty, who are established professionals, and hands-on, small-group work. Prerequisites include a master鈥檚 degree in theology and full-time experience in ministry.
Certificate Features
An introduction to the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice
An opportunity to fine-tune retreat听skills
Convenient summer study 鈥� two weeks for three consecutive summers
Opportunity to participate in vibrant daily liturgy
Economical on-campus housing
Learn more at an upcoming webinar:
This three-year program takes place in July during Summer at CSTM. Each summer the program meets for two weeks, Monday through Friday, with morning faculty presentations and discussion based on assigned readings and an afternoon practicum in spiritual guidance/spiritual direction.
Dates
July 14鈥�25, 2025
Cost
This certificate is a total of 6 credits 鈥� 2 credits per summer. Our 2025 credit rate is $1,370/credit.听Scholarships are available.
Schedule (subject to change)
9:00 a.m.鈥�12:00 p.m. 鈥� Lecture, Presentation, Discussion
12:00 p.m.鈥�1:30 p.m. 鈥� Liturgy and Lunch Break
1:30 p.m.鈥�4:00 p.m. 鈥� Afternoon Practicum
Affordable on-campus housing is available during the duration of the program.
Curriculum
Unit A: Ways of Prayer & Discernment
Next Offered: 2027
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Morning Session Themes
Historical developments in prayer, teaching forms of Christian prayer, comparative approaches to prayer,the significance of place and body in prayer, the art of discernment, and tools and resources in discernment
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Afternoon Session听
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of prayer rituals
Unit B: The Art of Spiritual Direction
Next Offered: 2025
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Morning Session Themes
Historical roots of spiritual guidance, contemporary understandings of spiritual guidance, developmental considerationsfor spiritual guides, ethical considerations in spiritual direction work, contemplative listening, and particular issues in spiritual direction
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Afternoon Session
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of retreat presentations
Unit C: Fostering Creativity & Communal Spiritual Formation
Next Offered: 2026
Morning Session Themes
Creative approaches to ritual, creative approaches to dreams in spirituality work, creative writing as a spiritual resource,multiple intelligences and diverse ways of knowing in spiritual formation work, extended senses of community,spirituality and one鈥檚 work community, group discernment, group spiritual direction, and spiritual issues arising in community
Afternoon Session
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of scriptural reflection
At the end of years one and two, assignments are given to be completed in preparation for the next year鈥檚 session (i.e., reading, verbatim, prayer ritual, retreat presentation, and/or scriptural reflection).听The order in which Units A, B, and C are offered will not necessarily coincide with year I, II, and III of participation in the program. Students will begin with the unit being offered that year. Completion of all three units is required to earn the certificate.
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