Religious Studies Certificate Program

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program

In collaboration with the CSJ Institute and the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet Los Angeles Province, the Department of Religious Studies offers a three-year, non-residential program for receipt of a certificate in Spiritual Direction. Rooted in the spiritual traditions of Ignatius of Loyola and Francis de Sales, the program is grounded in a practical, incarnational, and holistic spirituality that emphasizes the practice of individual and communal discernment.

Requirements

Program Requirements

To receive the certificate in Spiritual Direction, students must complete 18 course units in three years. The first two years of the program are constituted by 12 course units. The final year of the program is a practicum, where students will complete an internship under the supervision of a Spiritual Director (approved by the program director) and will constitute the final 6 units to completion of the certificate program. Required courses are as follows:  RST 217A, RST 217B, RST 218A, RST 218B, RST 288A, RST 288B. A one-day retreat experience is also required each year. At the discretion of the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program Director students who have completed graduate course units in Religion, Theology, or a comparable field, or completed Spiritual Direction units at another institution, may have up to 6 units transferred into the program, which count towards certificate completion. Students who are interested in pursuing an MA in Religious Studies through the Graduate Religious Studies Program at Mount Saint Mary’s University will have 6 units from the certificate program transferred as elective units towards the completion of the MA in Religious Studies.

Learning Outcomes 

1.  To identify and interpret contemporary models of Spiritual Direction and the biblical and theological themes in spirituality. 
2. To articulate and analyze how the contextual dimensions of personhood (sex, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, and other generational and cultural qualities) influence the practice of Spiritual Direction. 
3. To participate in integrative dialogue and identify pertinent issues that can impact the practice of Spiritual Direction. 
4. To demonstrate, in writing and practice, self-awareness and reflexivity, an ability to articulate one’s own inner spiritual experience and exercise contemplative and active listening skills.

 

Certificate Requirements 

18 required units with 12 units from courses and 6 units from practicum. Required courses are as follows: RST 217A, RST 217B, RST 218A, RST 218B, RST 288A, RST 288B.

Required Courses

RST 217A	Foundations in Spiritual Direction A	3
RST 217B	Foundations in Spiritual Direction B	3
RST 218A	Theory and Practice of Spiritual Direction A	3
RST 218B	Theory and Practice of Spiritual Direction B	3
RST 288A	Integration and Practicum A	3
RST 288B	Integration and Practicum B	3
Total Credit Hours:		18