Graduate Certificate of Ignatian Spirituality

Program Overview

An alternative to the CSD, designed for clergy, religious and lay persons who seek a deeper personal formation in Ignatian spirituality, but do not intend to prepare for the ministry of spiritual direction. It may be pursued on the graduate or undergraduate level. For distance learning, the onsite sessions can also be joined by Zoom video conferencing. Onsite courses are available in Mobile, AL (at our home campus) and Columbia, SC (in partnership with the Diocese of Charleston). Admission is limited to 20 applicants for each two-year cohort. A new cohort is formed every other year.  For those who wish, the CIS may also be incorporated into the Master of Pastoral Studies degree.   Because of the nature of spiritual formation, the CIS expects distinctive personal qualities, as well as mature life experience, ordinarily requiring a minimum age of 30 and completion of an individually directed Ignatian retreat (of at least 5 days or 19th Annotation Retreat in Daily Life)  before admission and another during the course of the program. 

Students in the CIS program complete their first year as part of the CSD cohort, taking the same seminar courses for the first two semesters, as well as three summers in the Spirituality Institute. After completion of the first year, CIS students who wish to pursue the ministry of spiritual direction have the option of transferring to the CSD program, which requires the Practicum during the second year, and only two summers in the Spirituality Institute.

On top of the online student application (see ‘Apply’ button above), applicants must also complete the CIS application below.

Delivery:

Online, On Campus

Average Class Size:

13

Faculty Count:

7

Time to Degree:

2 Years

Program Outcomes

This certificate is designed for clergy, religious and lay persons who seek a deeper personal formation in Ignatian spirituality, but do not intend to prepare for the ministry of spiritual direction.

Career Outlook

Our graduate certificate program in Ignatian Spirituality is an in-depth program that provides students with a solid set of theological, pastoral, and spiritual skills that can help them manage and lead spiritual programs and sessions. The skills graduates earn will aid them find careers in ministry service and church staff.