Degree Programs
The Institute graduate Master Degrees and Certificate program in Spiritual Formation make up community designed entirely around training believers
- to know themselves honestly and openly before God and one another in truth.
- to cultivate intimacy and obedience to Christ.
- To mend souls by the loving power of the Holy Spirit.
Each of the programs is fashioned more or less along the lines of an Apprentice Training Model designed to facilitate personal growth that include the following components:
- Experiential-relational soul work employing the spiritual disciplines within courses along with co-curricular experiences in personal spiritual direction, various retreats, individual psychotherapy and community experiences.
- In-depth theoretical and integrative course work employing theology and the creation disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, the arts and education to aid in understanding the spiritual life and mentoring.
- Training and service opportunities in spiritual direction and mentoring, which vary in nature, intensity and duration depending on the program.
In a specific sense, the two Master of Arts programs and Certificate purpose to help prepare students to serve Christ in professional and lay ministries such as associate pastor and teacher of adult ministries, spiritual direction, teaching, mentoring, and discipleship. The master's degrees may also act as preparation for further education and training in spiritual formation in order to teach in Christian university and seminary contexts.
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
This degree is designed to equip men and women for the ministry of spiritual direction, discipleship, formation and soul care in the local church and for further academic training in spiritual formation. (66 semester hours)
Master of Arts with an Emphasis in Spiritual Formation
Created as a more academic program, this degree is designed to equip men and women for more general discipleship and spiritual formation ministry in the local church, and for further academic training. (66 semester hours)
Certificate in Spiritual Formation
The Certificate is devised to assist individuals in personal growth, provide some training in lay ministry of spiritual formation in the local church, and give the student opportunity to understand their giftedness. It is designed for the possibility of completion within one academic year. (36 semester hours)
Master of Divinity Specializing in Spiritual Formation
The Institute is in the process of developing a Master of Divinity degree, though the program design has not been completed at this time.
CO-Curricular Requirements
In addition to coursework, each graduate program in Spiritual Formation has its own unique CO-curricular relational, experiential and training requirements. These are vital elements given the nature of the programs.