2007-2008 Academic Catalog

George Fox Evangelical Seminary

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
Résumé
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 Christian Ministries 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 006 Old Testament I	3
CHTH 062 History of Spirituality and Renewal	3
BIST or CHTH electives	6

Students must select one of the following courses:
BIST 008 New Testament I (Gospels and Acts)	3
BIST 009 New Testament II (Romans - Revelation)	3
Pastoral Ministries Courses (6 hours)
CMIN 030 Christian Ministry for Reconciliation	3
PSTD 001 Pastoral Counseling	3
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Courses (11 hours)
SFAD 010 Knowing Self, Knowing God	1
SFAD 020 Prayer	1
SFAD 030 Spiritual Life	1
SFAD 048 Spirituality and Personality	1
SFAD 070 Spiritual Direction Experience	1
SFAD 071 The Art of Spiritual Direction	2
SFAD 072 Spiritual Direction Practicum	2
SFAD 080 Group Spiritual Formation	1
SFAD 091 Spiritual Leadership	1
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Electives (3 hours)
Students must select 3 hours from any of SFAD courses not yet taken.

Recommended choices:
SFAD 036 Spirituality, Shame, and Grace	1
SFAD 040 Images of God	1
SFAD 056 Spirituality and the Writings of the Mystics	1

Graduate

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