The Graduate Certificate in Christian Spirituality provides students with a foundational and broad understanding of Christian spiritual theologies, traditions, and practices. Students develop an integrated spiritual perspective through self-reflection and engagement with modern culture and the classic and contemporary resources of the Christian tradition. They advance in their spiritual maturity and with a perspective grounded in key biblical, theological, and psychological competencies. The curriculum is flexible to accommodate each student’s experience and vocational goals. It includes a wide range of elective course options trading on the expertise of IPS faculty and existing course offerings, allows students to discern in community and with intention their vocational goals, and provides a graduate-level credential that can be rolled directly into a master’s degree program for those who decide to continue their education and formation for ministry.
The Graduate Certificate in Christian Spirituality provides a flexible course of study for
- Persons seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of Christian spirituality
- Those exploring a new career path in ministries that involve spiritual accompaniment
- Ministers who want to expand their vocational horizon, expanding their knowledge and skill base to include Christian spiritual theologies, traditions, and practices
- Volunteers or part-time professionals who seek to advance in their ministry
Curriculum
The Graduate Certificate in Christian Spirituality requires completion of five courses (15 credit hours). Three courses are required and two courses are electives. Students will work with their academic advisor to choose elective courses that best suit their background, experience, interests, and goals.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| IPS 545 | The Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| IPS 572 | Ignatian Spirituality | 3 |
| IPS 428 | Introduction to Spirituality Praxis | 3 |
| 6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
The Institute of Pastoral Studies offers a large number of courses online every year, including the three required courses for this certificate. It is possible, therefore, to complete the Graduate Certificate in Christian Spirituality entirely online depending on which courses a student chooses within the elective options that satisfy the curricular requirements.
To learn more about the Certificate in Christian Spirituality, please visit our request for information form or attend an online information session.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 428 |
Introduction to Spirituality Praxis |
3 |
| IPS 545 |
The Foundations of Christian Spirituality |
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 572 |
Ignatian Spirituality |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Summer |
|---|
|
3 |
| | Hours | 3 |
| | Total Hours | 15 |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Students gain a foundational and broad base of knowledge and skills related to Christian spirituality. Students advance their personal spiritual perspective through self-reflection and engagement with modern culture and the classic and contemporary resources of the Christian tradition. Graduates integrate and embody key biblical, theological, and psychological competencies resulting from personal engagement with the spiritual dimensions of faith, discipleship, and ministry.
