Application

Please read the following criteria so that you can assess your suitability for the CenterQuest School of Spiritual Direction (SSD).  We offer the following criteria as the ideal in order to help you discern whether you may indeed have a strong calling to this type of ministry.

1. You are validated in this calling by the way others are naturally drawn to ask you to attend to their spiritual path.
2. Your life history and experience demonstrate passion for God and careful attentiveness with God’s involvement in your life and the lives of others.
3. You sense a joy in companioning others on their spiritual journey through helping them discover the movement of God in their own lives.
4. You have been and are currently a directee in ongoing spiritual direction.

Our SSD is taught in a hybrid format (online/residency combination). For you to successfully complete the online segment of the program, it is crucial that you possess:

1. Basic computer and Internet skills
2. A Windows or Mac computer that meets the minimum software and hardware requirements (refer to the FAQ on Online Learning/Technology for details)
3. A reliable broadband Internet connection

Additionally, you need to be familiar with—or be open to learning—several software programs, including the recent version of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Adobe PDF Reader, Skype, Zoom, plus YouTube and other multimedia tools.

Pre-requisite: we require that all accepted applicants go through the SC – Soul Companioning: Intro to SD (4-week online course) and pass it satisfactorily as a final determining factor for the applicant’s suitability for the SSD hybrid program.

For those without much background in Christian spirituality, spiritual formation, and spiritual disciplines, we highly recommend taking eCourses under each area via our Lifelong Learning Community (LLC) site. For those who have some background but not sufficient enough, we encourage them to take the Basic Intro Trilogy (BIT) 6-week eCourse that combines all three areas. For more info on this, check out our LLC site by clicking HERE.

NOTE: Super Early Bird Application (SEB) for Cohort 6 (2024-2025 Cycle) opens on November 15, 2022. Regular application begins after June 15, 2023. Final Deadline for Cohort 6 application is on February 29, 2024.

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in our School of Spiritual Direction (SSD). Before you proceed in the application process we want to make sure you understand a few key details.  We consider each applicant with great care. We are committed to working with you to discern whether our program is a good fit for you. It goes without saying therefore that not everyone will be accepted. It is important that you become familiar with our SSD program overview (including the FAQ page), as well as the criteria and the process for application.

After completing your application online or in hard copy (see buttons below), you will need to send your non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $150 to our CenterQuest office (122 A E. Foothill Blvd. PMB 306, Arcadia, CA 91006). For your convenience, you may choose to also pay online via PayPal on our website (https://cqcenterquest.org/paypal/ssd-application-fee/). Kindly have your recommenders send the recommendation forms to us no later than two weeks from the date of application submission (earlier is always better!). Your recommenders may complete the recommendation forms online or offline (refer to specific instructions after you submit your application). Once your application is received and reviewed, you will be contacted and scheduled immediately after for a personal interview via phone, Skype, or Zoom web call.

Please know that we have already begun to pray for you and that we are confident that God is guiding each of us as we discern with you.

Together in the Center,

Margie Mach
Margie@CQCenterQuest.org
CQ Communications Coordinator

You may apply online by filling out the Application Form (you’ll need to complete the form in a single setting for it to be submitted successfully). If you’d prefer to apply offline, you may do so here.