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2011-2012 Academic Catalog and Handbook

Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship

Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship

(Non-degree)

Purpose

The Certificate in Spiritual Formation is a non-degree program designed to provide for the intentional spiritual formation of students in an academic setting and to train discerning and gifted persons as spiritual guides in the Christian tradition. The program is designed for men and women who desire preparation in the classical Christian art of spiritually guiding others. Such people can be gifted laypeople, ordained clergy, Christian educators, or trained counselors. The specialization trains called individuals in a variety of contexts to offer spiritual guidance and discipleship.

Program Objectives

Educational Objectives

To enable students to:

  • Mature into God's fullness
  • Develop habits of authentic disciplines for thinking and living in Christ's presence
  • Gain an understanding of the biblical, theological, psychological, and historical foundations of spirituality
  • Live a life of power in the Spirit and in communion with all God's people
Professional Objectives

To enable students to:

  • Develop skills for individual spiritual direction and group spiritual formation

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,† with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

  • George Fox Evangelical Seminary application form and application fee
  • Submit one official transcript from each college/university attended
  • Resumé
  • Personal mission statement and statement of faith
  • Three letters of reference (as specified in admissions materials)

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

Transfer Credit

Transfer of up to 10 hours credit is allowed toward the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program (15 hours for current seminary or postseminary-degree students) from accredited graduate schools. Students must have earned a grade of B- or better for a course to be considered for transfer. In addition, only courses taken elsewhere within 10 years of the date of matriculation to the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program will be considered for transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the registrar's office for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

Residence Requirements

Of the 32 hours required for the Certificate in Spiritual Formation program, a minimum of 16 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Course Requirements

The Certificate in Spiritual Formation program is generally two years in length with 32 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation (15 hours for current seminary or postseminary-degree students). Of the total hours required for the degree, 12 are in biblical and theological foundations courses, 6 in pastoral ministries courses, 14 spiritual formation hours.

Requirements for MA and MDiv Degree Students
Current seminary students must complete the following requirements:
  • MDiv students must satisfactorily complete 15 hours from their nondesignated course credits toward the certificate course requirements (the remaining 17 hours are satisfied through completion of other program coursework).
  • MA students must satisfactorily complete 15 hours beyond the required MA curriculum toward the certificate course requirements (the remaining 17 hours are satisfied through completion of other program coursework). This does not include students who elect to complete the Certificate in Spiritual Formation as part of the MA in Spiritual Formation program.

Requirements for Non-degree or Postseminary-degree Students
Non-degree students or students who have completed a seminary degree and are returning for further training must complete the following requirements:

  • Non-degree students must satisfactorily complete 32 hours in the certificate program.
  • Postseminary-degree students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 hours in the certificate program (17 hours waived based on the completion of prior work in the seminary degree).
  • Be recommended for certification at the completion of SFAD 572.

Spiritual Director Certificate
Students who complete the Certificate in Spiritual Formation who also want to serve as professional spiritual directors must complete the additional requirements below. (Upon completion of these additional requirements, the student will receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.)

  • At least 30 hours doing spiritual direction with at least two people over the course of a year
  • Receive 8 to 10 hours of supervision
  • An interview with the director of the SFAD program

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Certificate in Spiritual Formation students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 32 semester hours (15 hours for current seminary or postseminary-degree students) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Be admitted to candidacy for the certificate.
  • Be recommended by the seminary faculty for graduation from George Fox University.

Curriculum Plan

Biblical and Theological Foundations Core (12 hours)
BIST 506 Old Testament I 3
CHTH 562 History of Spirituality and Renewal 3
BIST or CHTH electives 6
 
Students must select one of the following courses:
BIST 508 New Testament I (Gospels and Acts) 3
BIST 509 New Testament II (Romans - Revelation) 3
Pastoral Ministries Courses (6 hours)
MLDR 570 Christian Ministry for Reconciliation 3
PSTD 501 Pastoral Counseling 3
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Courses (11 hours)
SFAD 510 Knowing Self, Knowing God 1
SFAD 520 Prayer 1
SFAD 530 Spiritual Life 1
SFAD 548 Spirituality and Personality 1
SFAD 561 Spiritual Direction Experience I
 .5
SFAD 562 Spiritual Direction Experience II
 .5
SFAD 571 The Art of Spiritual Direction 2
SFAD 572 Spiritual Direction Practicum 2
SFAD 580 Group Spiritual Formation 1
SFAD 591 Spiritual Leadership 1
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Electives (3 hours)
Students must select 3 hours from any SFAD courses not yet taken.
 
Recommended choices:
SFAD 536 Spirituality, Shame, and Grace 1
SFAD 540 Images of God 1
SFAD 556 Spirituality and the Writings of the Mystics 1
Seminary Course Descriptions
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