SCHOOL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Program Distinctives
- 16-Month Focused/Concentrated Program
- Cohort Model (Hybrid: Online/Residency)
- Facilitated by Seasoned Practitioners
- Ecumenically Broad
- Global in Reach
- Contemplative-Evocative in Focus
- Communal in Emphasis
- Group Spiritual Direction Component
- Mentor-Guided (One-on-one/Group)
- Highly Experiential and Praxis-Driven
- Based on the spirituality and writings of Henri Nouwen
Program Overview
Basic Application Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- Three recommendations: ministerial, academic, personal
- Basic computer/online literacy
- Clear sense of calling to be a spiritual director
- Application paperwork (with $150 nonrefundable/nontransferable application fee)
- Personal interview (conducted via Zoom web call)
Prerequisites:
1. Basic familiarity with most, if not all, of the following subject matter (formal or informal):
- Introduction to Christian spirituality, spiritual formation, and/or spiritual direction
- History of the church or Christian spirituality
- Introduction to spiritual disciplines
- A history of being in spiritual direction and currently seeing a spiritual director
- NOTE: If you think that you are lacking in exposure to the first three bulleted areas, we suggest you take any or all of our 4-week eCourse(s) via our Lifelong Learning Community (LLC) offerings: “God’s Reality: Exploring the Basics of Christian Spirituality /”In Christ’s Image: Exploring the Basics of Spiritual Formation”/”Habits of the Heart: Exploring the Basics of Spiritual Disciplines” (check out our LLC site for more info by clicking HERE)
- NOTE 2: We also offer a six-week Basic Intro Trilogy (BIT) (combining all three areas: spirituality, spiritual formation, spiritual disciplines in a condensed format. We generally require this for all accepted applicants and can waive this on a special case to case basis if the applicant already possesses a good background in the three areas mentioned. Check out our LLC site for more info by clicking HERE).
2. Satisfactory completion of SC – Soul Companioning: Intro to SD (4-week online course)
- This intro-level course is offered 5-6 times/year and should be taken ideally prior to submitting an application.
Program Components:
- Four quarters of online study: 8 weeks total each quarter
- Fourteen course offerings: 8 online courses (2 per quarter with a 2-week interim period in between courses and a 3-week inter-term period in between quarters) and 6 residency courses (equivalent to 3 courses per residency)
- Two one-week residencies: The opening residency typically runs from Sunday afternoon to Friday noon in a retreat center setting in Southern California. The Closing Residency typically runs from Sunday afternoon to Sunday noon with a whole-day silent retreat incorporated into the schedule. (Click here to view our lineup of online/residency instructors and prospective guest residency speakers.)
- Cohort system: 15 maximum participants per cohort section
Participant Cost:
- Total Program Fee: $ 8,500 (inclusive of all tuition/technology fees, pre-practicum flat fee, and certain residency-related expenses).
- Additional Costs: Books/Course materials, Practicum (SD/Supervision fees), residency travel as well as board and lodging expenses are the participant’s responsibility.
CQ SSD (COHORT 6) SCHEDULE
CQ INT'L COHORT 6 IS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PLEASE CHECK LATER FOR ANY UPCOMING UPDATES!