Overview
Our Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation equips students to serve as leaders of spiritual formation ministries and spiritual directors in the church, community and world.
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation at a Glance
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| 36 |
| Two years (Based on taking 8 credit hours of study per term in the fall and spring semesters, 4 credit hours in the summer semester) |
| $562* (financial aid available) |
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities;
Association of Theological Schools |
Portland Center (near Tigard), with distance format options
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| Spiritual Direction |
| Rolling application deadline; apply now for next start date |
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*All stated financial information is subject to change.
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The MASF program will:
- Equip you for work with individuals or groups in spiritual formation and discipleship.
- Encourage your spiritual growth and strengthen your moral integrity for service to God’s mission
- Strengthen your understanding of the various disciplines that undergird the ministry of formation and discipleship
Students will:
- Develop habits of authentic disciplines for living holistically in today’s world
- Experience themselves and relate to others as created in God's image and called into community and ministry
- Demonstrate a critical and constructive understanding of the biblical and theological foundations of the Christian tradition of formation and discipleship
- Articulate an understanding of formation and discipleship as it relates to the mission of God in the world
- Demonstrate the character and skills necessary for spiritually guiding individuals and communities in the Christian tradition of formation and discipleship
Which spiritual formation degree is right for you?
Master's in Spiritual Formation
The master of arts in spiritual formation (MASF) degree is for people who are called to formation and discipleship ministries such as directors of women's, men's, or children’s ministries, spiritual directors, and retreat ministries. Individuals pursuing an MASF degree would have gifts for listening, companioning and guiding people’s spiritual journeys, and creating formation environments such as retreats.
Master's in Ministry with a Specialization in Spiritual Formation
The master of arts in ministry (MAM) with a spiritual formation specialization is for those persons who are called to leadership ministries in the church or parachurch, such as associate pastors, social justice advocates, campus pastors, etc. The MAM is a leadership degree and adding a spiritual formation concentration allows the leader to focus more on his or her own personal spiritual growth.
Also consider spiritual direction programs:
Spiritual Formation
At the heart of Portland Seminary, historically, is a commitment to the spiritual formation of its students. Formation into Christlikeness prepares the whole person to engage the world for the sake of Christ.
We fulfill this commitment in these ways:
- Every degree program involves students in an intentionally designed spiritual formation curriculum.
- The courses include classic spiritual disciplines as well as intentional holistic awareness.
- Our spiritual formation curriculum is biblically grounded and Christ-centered, and our understanding of spiritual formation involves the intersection of Scripture, theology, psychology, and social-cultural factors.
- Spiritual formation courses are scheduled so that students can participate in formation courses throughout their degree program.
- Each spiritual formation course combines rich academic content, formational activities, accountability, and fellowship, offering students a robust experience.
MA, Spiritual Formation (36 Credit Hours)
Curriculum Plan
