As of Fall 2026, this program is no longer accepting applicants.

The Spiritual Direction Concentration provides MA in Christian Spirituality students the opportunity to focus their formation on acquiring the theoretical and practical skills they need to provide spiritual direction, where they will accompany others with their spiritual development and relationship with God. Spiritual directors walk alongside each person on his or her spiritual journey, accompanying individuals as they become more fully realized spiritual beings. Students also have the unique opportunity to learn to direct and use the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola in and for spiritual direction, offering spiritual accompaniment framed by and infused with the Jesuit perspective and values.

This degree is suited to those holding a bachelor's degree in any field and who are interested in forming themselves for the vocation of spiritual director, including the integration of spiritual direction into existing careers and current contexts, including retreat centers, community programs, church and parish offices, and more.

Those already holding a graduate degree in theology, ministry, or related fields may qualify to pursue formation as a spiritual director through the Spiritual Direction Certificate.

The Christian Spirituality - Spiritual Direction Concentration (MA) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year.  Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.

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Curriculum

MA in Christian Spirituality students opting for the Spiritual Direction concentration (MACS-SD) must complete the 33 credit hour core course of the MACS plus two additional specialized spiritual direction courses. Students must also complete the Contextual Education requirement (3 credit hours) and the Integration Paper (a capstone writing project).

Besides the traditional Master's program, the Christian Spirituality - Spiritual Direction Concentration (MA) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year.  A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IPS 403	Spiritual Paths in World Religions	3
IPS 416	Introduction to New Testament	3
IPS 417	Introduction to the Old Testament	3
IPS 430	Spiritual Direction Development and Practice	3
IPS 501	Advanced Human Relation Skills	3
IPS 512	Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality	3
IPS 531	Christian Doctrine	3
IPS 545	The Foundations of Christian Spirituality	3
IPS 555	Human Person and Psychological Development	3
IPS 572	Ignatian Spirituality	3
or IPS 573	Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius
IPS 578	Contextual Education Preparation	0
IPS 579	Contextual Education Introduction	1.5
IPS 580	Contextual Education I	1.5
IPS 593	Integration Project	0
One IPS Elective Course		3
Total Hours		36

Students must also complete 4 semesters of spiritual direction. The 30-day or 30-week version of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (optional) will count for 2 semesters of personal spiritual direction.

Students in the MACS-Spiritual Direction concentration with the goal of learning how to direct the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius must have completed the 30-day or the 30-week (19th Annotation) format of the Exercises prior to beginning the Contextual Education component of their program (before your final year begins). This requirement will be waived for those who have completed the Spiritual Exercises within 5 years of commencing their studies at IPS.

The Contextual Education requirement is adapted to enable MA in Christian Spirituality: Spiritual Direction Concentration students to acquire the practical skills for and experience of spiritual direction in learning interaction with their peers and under the supervision of an experienced spiritual director. Students have the unique opportunity to learn to direct and use the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola in and for spiritual direction. Suitable field learning settings may be found in the Chicago area, elsewhere in the United States or in other countries, upon approval by the Faculty Coordinator of Contextual Education.

Suggested Sequence of Courses 

Traditional Master's Program

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
IPS 417	Introduction to the Old Testament	3
IPS 430	Spiritual Direction Development and Practice	3
IPS 545	The Foundations of Christian Spirituality	3
	Hours	9
Spring
IPS 416	Introduction to New Testament	3
IPS 501	Advanced Human Relation Skills	3
IPS 572 or IPS 573	Ignatian Spirituality or Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius	3
IPS 578	Contextual Education Preparation	0
	Hours	9
Year 2
Fall
IPS 403	Spiritual Paths in World Religions	3
IPS 512	Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality	3
IPS 579	Contextual Education Introduction	1.5
Elective		3
	Hours	10.5
Spring
IPS 531	Christian Doctrine	3
IPS 555	Human Person and Psychological Development	3
IPS 580	Contextual Education I	1.5
IPS 593	Integration Project	0
	Hours	7.5
	Total Hours	36

Accelerated Master's Pathway

Students can take up to 18 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP.  These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.

Plan of Study Grid

Senior
Fall		Hours
IPS 417	Introduction to the Old Testament	3
IPS 545	The Foundations of Christian Spirituality	3
Elective		3
	Hours	9
Spring
IPS 572	Ignatian Spirituality	3
IPS 416	Introduction to New Testament	3
IPS 531	Christian Doctrine	3
IPS 578	Contextual Education Preparation	0
	Hours	9
Master's
Fall
IPS 430	Spiritual Direction Development and Practice	3
IPS 403	Spiritual Paths in World Religions	3
IPS 512	Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality	3
IPS 579	Contextual Education Introduction	1.5
	Hours	10.5
Spring
IPS 501	Advanced Human Relation Skills	3
IPS 555	Human Person and Psychological Development	3
IPS 580	Contextual Education I	1.5
IPS 593	Integration Project	0
	Hours	7.5
	Total Hours	36

Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways

In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.

Admission and Matriculation

Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.

Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.

Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.

Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.

Advising and Registration

Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.

Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.

Shared Credits

Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.

In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.

Degree Requirements and Conferral

Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.

The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.

If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.

Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.

Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.

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 supersede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

• Spiritual perspective formed in self-awareness and engagement with modern culture and the classic and contemporary resources of the Christian tradition;
• Spirituality literacy grounded in biblical, theological and psychological competencies;
• Spirituality praxis through personal engagement with the spiritual dimension of Christian faith, discipleship and ministry;
• An understanding of key components and considerations for the practice of spiritual direction;
• Self-awareness of one's own spirituality as it relates to the ministry and practice of spiritual direction;
• Demonstrate professional skills in and for spiritual direction.