Curriculum

MA in Spirituality/Spiritual Direction (36 hrs.)

Graduate Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction (18 hrs.).

By completing the MA program (Track I or II) or the Graduate Certificate program, students will be able to demonstrate:

• an integrated spirituality, grounded in self-awareness and engaging both the Christian tradition and modern culture
• spirituality literacy grounded in biblical, theological and psychological competencies
• spirituality praxis through personal, communal and professional engagement around spiritual themes
• professional skills in spiritual direction (Track I: General Spiritual Direction (GSD) or Ignatian Exercises Program (IEP) / Graduate Certificate Program)

Core Courses (Both MA Tracks): 4 3-hr. courses (12 hrs.)

• Foundations of Christian Spirituality (IPS 545)
• Biblical Foundations (IPS 416 – Christian Origins or IPS 417 – The Literature of Ancient Israel)
• Theological Foundations (IPS 531 – Christian Doctrine)
• Psychological Foundations (IPS 555 – Human Person and Psychological Development)

Track I: Spiritual Direction
[Note: The curriculum below is for the General Spiritual Direction (GSD) program in Track I.  The Ignatian Exercises Program in Track I has its own curriculum.  Click here for the IEP curriculum].

5 3-hr. required courses * (added to 4 Core Courses) / 9 hrs. ofelectives / plus 4 units (semesters) of non-credit personal spiritual direction

• Introduction to Spirituality Praxis (IPS 428 – Fall only) *
• Advanced Spiritual Direction Praxis (IPS 429 – Spring only / 428 prerequisite) *
• Spiritual Direction Practicum I (IPS 432 – Fall only / 428 & 429 prerequisites) *
• Spiritual Direction Practicum II (IPS 430 – Spring only / 432 prerequisite) *
• Ethics of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction (IPS 512) *
• 9 hrs. of Electives
• Personal Spiritual Direction (4 units/semesters)**

**For Personal Spiritual Direction the following Confirmation Form must be returned to Susann Ozuk for your file in each of 4 semesters: Spiritual Direction Semester Confirmation Form

Track II: Contemporary Spirituality
4 required courses * (added to 4 Core Courses) / 14 hrs. of electives / an Integration Project

• Spiritual Paths in World Religions (IPS 403 / offered Fall only in odd years)
• Christian Moral Theology and Ethics (IPS 553) *
• Introduction to Spirituality Praxis (IPS 428) *
• Guided Study in Spiritual Practice * (1 hr. field requirement / up to 3 1-hr. field ed. guided studies allowed)
• 14 hrs. of electives
• Integration Project

Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction

IPS offers a 6-course, 18-hour Graduate Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction suited to applicants with a masters degree in theology, ministry, or psychology. The Certificate is offered under the rubrics of both the General Spiritual Direction (GSD) program and the specialization in Ignatian spirituality, the Ignatian Exercises Program (IEP).

Click here for more information about both certificate offerings at IPS.