Portland Seminary

Online Certification for Spiritual Directors

At A Glance

1 Year Average completion time*
$900 Tuition cost for entire program**
100% Online format

Semester credit hours

3

Accreditation

ATS (Association of Theological Schools), NWCCU

Application Deadlines

Rolling application deadline: apply now

* Based on taking 1 credit hour per term in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

** All stated financial information is subject to change. Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Spiritual Direction certification is for those of you who have already completed training as a spiritual director and desire certification.

We offer biblical and Christ-centered training from experienced and certified spiritual directors who serve as supervisors through the certification process.

Pursue this Certification if ...

  • You wish to practice spiritual direction vocationally
  • You wish to increase the professional value of your calling in spiritual direction

Format

All certification credits (SFAD 576, SFAD 577, & SFAD 578) are fully online.

Certification Prerequisites & Details

This certification is open to students who have completed a spiritual direction training either at an ATS-accredited institution or a spiritual direction training program (usually an 18- to 24-month program). If you qualify, you can apply now!

If you do not meet these requirements, you can apply for our Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation degree or Spiritual Formation Certificate, either of which would allow you to continue into the Spiritual Direction Certification following completion.

Within this certification, you will:

Note: There is a course fee for SFAD 576, 577, & 578 to cover the cost of contracting with program selected spiritual directors and supervisors.

Certification for Spiritual Directors Requirements

Complete the following:
For those already trained as spiritual directors, this course and the second semester course SFAD 577 are designed to prepare a student for certification as spiritual directors. This occurs through an intensive exploration of one’s spiritual life and its intersection with one’s spiritual direction practice with the guidance of a trained spiritual direction supervisor. Additional course fee is required. Students take both SFAD 576-577. Pass/No Pass.
For those already trained as spiritual directors, this course, as well as the prerequisite SFAD 576, are designed to prepare a student for certification as spiritual directors. This occurs through an intensive exploration of one’s spiritual life and its intersection with one’s spiritual direction practice with the guidance of a trained spiritual direction supervisor. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite is SFAD 576. Pass/No Pass.
The praxis course involves doing spiritual direction with the guidance of a trained spiritual direction supervisor. A student may either take the course before SFAD 576 or after SFAD 577. Final certification for spiritual direction occurs at the end of 3 semesters with a summative assessment interview given by the course instructor upon recommendation of the student’s supervisor. Additional course fee is required. Pass/No Pass.
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Admission Requirements

Students must have completed one of the following to be admitted to the Certification for Spiritual Directors program:

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