Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care

Program Requirements: 66 semester hours, 45 in spiritual formation, and 21 Bible/Theology co-requisites

The M.A. of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is designed as a professional program for specialized ministry, developed to equip men and women for the ministry of discipleship, spiritual direction, formation and soul care in the local church and for further academic training in spiritual formation. It incorporates elements designed to facilitate personal growth including:

  • 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 through theoretical coursework and professionally supervised practica experiences in a church or university context..

The co-curricular elements are required in addition to the following classes:

Suggested Program Guide

FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM
(24 units plus 9 co-requisite theology)

Fall (15 units)  
SF 511 Theo I: Intro: Revelation & Nature of God 3
SF 517 Hermeneutics and the Word in Spiritual Formation 3
SF 521 Introduction to Christian Spirituality & Prayer 3
SF 531 History and Traditions of Christian Spirituality 3
SF 543 Personal Foundations of Spirituality & Retreat 3
SF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0

Interterm (3 units)  
SF 577 Soul Care Prepracticum I & Professional Ethics 3

Spring (15 units)  
SF 512 Theo II: Works of God, Angels, Man & Sin 3
SF 524 History and Theory of Christian Soul Care 3
SF 532 Developmental Spirituality & Contemplative Prayer 2
SF 544 Personality Development & Psychopathology 3
SF 578 Soul Care Prepracticum II & Professional Referral 3
SS 510 Theological Research Methodology 1
SF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0

SECOND YEAR CURRICULUM
(21 units plus 12 co-requisite theology)

Fall (14 units)  
SF 613 Theo III: Christ, Salvation and the Spirit 3
SF 519 Survey of Gen. - Mal. 3
SF 621 Spiritual Formation & Theology Seminar 3
SF 645 Christian Virtue and the Spiritual Disciplines 3
SF 677 Soul Care Practicum I/II 2
SF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0

Interterm (3 units)  
SF 701 Spiritual Formation Seminar 3

Spring (16 units)  
SF 614 Theo IV: The Church & Eschatology 3
SF 520 Survey of Matt. - Rev. 3
SF 642 Spiritual Disciplines Seminar 4
SF 670 Intensive Journey Inward & Retreat 4
SF 678 Soul Care Practicum I/II 2
SF 585 Personal Spiritual Direction 0


In addition to these courses, please note the additional co-curricular requirements.