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2024-25 Academic Catalog

Certification for Spiritual Directors

Overview

This certification program is a nine-month, hybrid, cohort-based experience, comprised of four 8-week courses and one in-person BridgeWeek praxis intensive. Each course contains robust foundational instruction and practical application of the art of spiritual direction (SD). This certification is open to persons who have completed spiritual formation education either at an ATS-accredited institution or widely-recognized spiritual formation institute or training program (usually an 18-24 month program).

Certification Outcomes

Students will be equipped and formed to think with clarity as they:

  • Understand historical and contemporary contexts of spiritual direction.
  • Evaluate the spiritual conversations students have with directees, observing and articulating the movement of God both in themselves and in their clients. 

Students will be equipped and formed to live with integrity as they:

  • Assess their own formational journey as a spiritual director as they engage in accountability practices.

Students will be equipped and formed to serve with the heart of God as they:

  • Develop the skills necessary to establish and maintain spiritual-direction relationships. 
  • Develop vocational and professional approach for how they will implement spiritual direction within their specific ministry context.

Admission Requirements

This certificate is open to students who have completed spiritual formation or spiritual direction training either at an ATS-accredited institution or a widely recognized spiritual formation training program (usually an 18-24 month program). Students not meeting these requirements may apply to the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation (MASF) program. This would allow students to move into the Certification for Spiritual Directors program following completion. Applicants with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation may also apply. 

Applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program: 

  • Submit Portland Seminary application and application fee
  • Submit one official transcript from each college/university attended and/or documentation of spiritual formation training
  • Resumé
  • Personal mission statement and statement of faith
  • Letter of recommendation from their spiritual director or spiritual formation program instructor.

†Applicants who do not hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university may apply to the seminary and will be required to submit additional documentation to be considered for admission.

Transfer Credit

No transfer credit is awarded for this certification program.

Residence Requirements

Residence, as described in this section of the catalog, does not refer to the time a student spends on campus. It refers to the portion of a degree program that students are required to earn with Portland Seminary. Students are required to complete all of the program requirements (12 semester credits†) directly with Portland Seminary. 

A leave of absence is valid for up to one year, after which the student must reapply to the program. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the certificate.

Course Requirements

The Certification for Spiritual Directors program is 9 months in length, with 12 semester hours† of coursework in spiritual direction in sequence. Students practice spiritual direction with their own clients, engage in peer supervision in the courses, and receive external supervision and individual spiritual direction at their own expense.

The program requires participation in one ‘Bridgeweek’ face-to-face intensive.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Certification for Spiritual Directors, students must: 

  • Satisfactorily complete the 12 semester hours† with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above 
  • Complete a minimum of 20 hours of spiritual direction with at least 3 directees external to the program. 
  • Receive a minimum of 10 hours of supervision (peer and individual).
  • Receive a minimum of 7 hours of spiritual direction.
  • Be recommended by the student’s supervisor and by seminary faculty for Certification for Spiritual Directors upon completion of all coursework.

Curriculum Plan

Spiritual Direction Courses (12 credit hours) †

Complete the following:
Generous listening is a core practice for intentionally guiding persons in their spiritual growth and is at the center of training for spiritual directors. This course explores the historical, theological, and psychological premises of deep listening for soul companionship and introduces students to foundational practices. Students will reflect on the meaning and definitions of hosting spiritual conversations, integrating their personal experience and course teachings. Due to the accelerated nature of this cohort-based, four-course certification series, students are required to enter with a substantial spiritual formation foundation. This is determined in the admissions process. Students are required to meet with a certified spiritual director at their own expense. Additional course fees may be required.
This course invites students to implement foundational principles in a practical way by establishing director and directee relationships for training purposes. Further exploration of spiritual direction core principles are examined and implemented using evocative and contemplative methods. Group spiritual direction and peer supervision are also introduced and practiced in class. Students are required to meet with a certified spiritual director and supervisor at their own expense. Prerequisite: SDIR 500
Students will continue to develop spiritual direction competencies within the director and directee relationship. Issues related to the directors’ and directees’ interiority are given significant attention through thematic studies and personal reflection. Group spiritual direction skills will build upon peer listening and contemplative feedback. Students are required to meet with a certified spiritual director and supervisor at their own expense. Prerequisite: SDIR 510
The praxis course involves continuing spiritual direction with established directees. Focus will also be given to developing vocational and professional structures. Personal and communal reflection will synthesize contextual considerations for ongoing application. Final certification for spiritual direction occurs at the end of four semesters with a summative assessment process facilitated by the course instructor and upon recommendation of the student’s supervisor. Students are required to meet with a certified spiritual director and supervisor at their own expense. Prerequisite: SDIR 520
† Students who (1) completed SFAD 571 Becoming a Spiritual Director I and SFAD 572 Becoming a Spiritual Director II at Portland Seminary and (2) have either discontinued enrollment or graduated, may return to complete the 3-credit Spiritual Direction Certification (SFAD 576 Spiritual Direction Certification I, SFAD 577 Spiritual Direction Certification II, and SFAD 578 Spiritual Direction Praxis) during the teach out period which concludes after the 2026-27 academic year.