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Post-Master’s Certificate in the Spiritual Formation

The Post-Master’s Certificate in the Practice of Spirituality is an in-depth and intensive study (every day, 9AM to 5PM) that enhances people’s ability to mentor the spiritual lives of people and faith communities. It introduces students to the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice and serves to fine tune retreat skills. This program is open to persons who have earned a master’s level degree or the equivalent in a theological discipline and are experienced in ministry. To complete the program, one engages in two weeks of intensive study (morning classes and an afternoon practicum) for three consecutive summers. Summer dates for this program always correspond with the second session of the STM Summer Institute.

Unit I: Ways of Prayer and Discernment

Morning Session
Faculty presentations and discussions based on assigned readings. Themes include 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.

Afternoon Session
Practicum in Spiritual Guidance/Spiritual Direction

Unit II: Fostering Creativity and More Inclusive Communities

Morning Session
Faculty presentations and discussion based on assigned readings. Themes include 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’s work community, group discernment, group spiritual direction, and spiritual issues arising in community.

Afternoon Session
Practicum in Spiritual Guidance/Spiritual Direction

Unit III: The Art of Spiritual Directions

Morning Session
Faculty presentations and discussion based on assigned readings. Themes include the historical roots of spiritual guidance, contemporary understandings of spiritual guidance, developmental considerations for spiritual guides, ethical considerations in spiritual direction work, contemplative listening, and particular issues in spiritual direction.

Afternoon Session
Practicum in Spiritual Guidance/Spiritual Direction

 

Pastoral Ministry Certificate

This certificate program is designed for those who wish to study pastoral ministry but who do not desire a full degree.  It is also designed to serve those who have completed a graduate theology or ministry degree, but who wish to concentrate further in a particular area of pastoral ministry.  In addition to ongoing professional development, the Pastoral Ministry Certificate program provides a welcome venue for spiritual enrichment and renewal. Applicants must demonstrate a current commitment to ministry as a requirement of admission.

In addition to 18 hours of academic courses taken for credit, certificate students complete a ten-page integrative project at the end of their study.  Both coursework and integrative project are chosen in consultation with their academic advisor.

Hispanic Ministry Certificate

This certificate is a program designed to prepare those who are already working or are interested in doing so in the context of Hispanic communities anywhere in the United State.  The certificate is for those who do not desire a full degree or for those who have completed a graduate theology or ministry degree, but who wish to concentrate further in Hispanic ministry.  In addition to ongoing professional development, the Hispanic Ministry Certificate program provides a welcome venue for spiritual enrichment and renewal.   Applicants must demonstrate a current commitment to ministry as a requirement of admission.

Hispanic Ministry Certificate students must meet the following requirements:  18 hours of academic courses taken for credit including the Hispanic Ministry Seminar (six credits); sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language; supervised field placement; and a ten-page Integrative Project at the end of studies.  The field placement will consist of 5 hours for 13 weeks; through the process the student will be in regular conversation with the Faculty Director for Hispanic Ministry Programs.  All coursework, field placement, and the integrative project are chosen in consultation with the Faculty Director for Hispanic Ministry Programs.

Additional Information for Hispanic Ministry Certificate

A limited number of applicants who do not have an earned bachelor’s degree may apply for this certificate program and be admitted under the following stringent conditions:

1. Commensurate life experience in ministry
2. Fluency in English
3. A writing sample that demonstrates capability for graduate level work (English or Spanish); all courses are in English 
4. Strong letters of recommendation regarding character, commitment to the Church, and capacity for graduate level studies
5. Significant leadership potential to warrant merit-based fellowships.

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Admissions Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Current commitment to ministry.
• English proficiency. TOEFL exam results with a minimum of 550 on paper based; 213 on the PC based or 79 on Internet Based Test if you are an international applicant from a non-English speaking country.