Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation

Be formed by Christ and for Christ

At A Glance

3 Years*
36 Semester credit hours
$638 Cost per semester credit hour**

Accreditation

ATS (Association of Theological Schools), NWCCU

Format

Hybrid (online courses with two annual BridgeWeek intensives in Portland each September)

Application Deadlines

Rolling application deadline; apply now for the next fall cohort

Courses Per Semester

2

Weekly Workload

20 hours

Cohort Model

Take courses for two years of the three-year program with the same group of 12-20 students - more

* Based on taking 6 semester credit hours of study per term in the fall and spring semesters.

** All stated financial information is subject to change. Does not include fees for BridgeWeek intensives. Financial aid available.

“Your desire for more of God than you have right now, your longing for love, your need for deeper levels of spiritual transformation than you have experienced so far is the truest thing about you.”

- Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

3 seminary students in a class sit at a table

The desire to know God more truly, to understand the grace of Christ with more clarity, to see through the Spirit’s eyes the beauty of redemption for a fallen world, and to lead others in their own deeper life journey – these are the roads that lead us to spiritual formation.

Our Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation will answer this call on your heart and will equip you to serve as a leader of spiritual formation ministries and as a spiritual director in the church, community and world.

At the heart of Portland Seminary is a commitment to the spiritual formation of each student. Formation into Christlikeness prepares us to engage the world for the sake of Christ, and no matter what program you pursue, you will engage in an intentionally designed spiritual formation curriculum.

What Will I Experience?

  • A curriculum that is biblically grounded and Christ-centered
  • An approach to biblical spiritual formation that involves the intersection of Scripture, theology, psychology, and sociocultural factors as it relates to the mission of God in the world
  • A robust curriculum filled with rich academic content, formational activities, accountability, and fellowship
  • Spiritual formation and discipleship practices necessary for spiritually guiding both individuals and communities
  • A Spiritual Director Certification program is available for graduates of the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation program

Program Experiences

5 students share a table
  • WaterFront is a required two-day online orientation for new students every August. This event is full of opportunities for students to connect with faculty and other new students, make final preparations for studies, and participate in spiritual formation activities.
  • BridgeWeek is the fourth week of every semester when all hybrid students come to Portland for face-to-face intensives. Special events are offered throughout the week.

Flexible Format

student reads a book on a bench outside

The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation is a three-year program in which you study with diverse professors and cohort peers.

Our hybrid format blends online learning with intensive in-person experiences each year.

What does a hybrid format look like?

  • Connect with a vibrant cohort of learners who grow in faith and ministry skills through a variety of experiences: traditional classroom lessons, special off-site events and “hybrid” online courses
  • Meet periodically through video chat for courses
  • Attend BridgeWeek in Portland every September (fourth week of fall classes)
View Courses

Charley Liljequist

Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation, 2021

I came to Portland Seminary because I was hungry and curious. These past two years have been a container, graciously holding space for me to wrestle with big questions, to dig deep within myself, and to experience restoration. I’m so grateful for this community that cares for my personal formation as much as my education.

Questions?

Haley Holman

Haley Holman

Admissions Counselor, Portland Seminary

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