Spiritual Direction Certificate Program
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Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual Direction Training & Formation
"Deep calls to deep... By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life." – Psalm 42:7-8
We believe the Spirit of God is at work in every person's life, inviting them into intimacy with God and to be agents of healing and reconciliation, but the pace, distractions and cacophony of the world often drown out the still, small voice of God. The whispers of the Spirit can be difficult to hear, and we need people to help us listen; spiritual directors are such people. Deep Calls to Deep is designed to train potential directors in the art of holy listening and spiritual discernment so that individuals may hear and heed the voice of Divine Love.
A two-year training and formation program in the art of spiritual direction, our certificate program invites participants to develop postures of contemplative listening and compassionate presence with emphases on interior growth, discernment, prayer and practice. Structured around a rhythm of monthly gatherings, students are invited to join a community of learners who will journey together in prayerful listening and skill building while benefiting from the experience of various instructors and one-on-one mentors. Between gatherings, students will engage a variety of texts, contemplative prayer practices, reflection prompts and practicum direction sessions.
We invite individuals from a variety of Christian backgrounds to join us for two years of a deepening awareness of God’s Spirit present in their own lives and in the lives of those whom they companion on the journey of faith.
To learn more about what spiritual direction is, please read our Philosophy of Spiritual Direction.
Program Overview
- Time to Complete: Two years (beginning January 2025)
- Cost: $6,500
- Format: In-person cohort model with monthly, two-day intensives on campus
- Weekly Workload: 6-8 hours
- Application Deadline: Oct. 31, 2024
"What exactly do spiritual directors do? The simple and most direct answer I can give is that they help others attend to God's presence and revelation and prepare to respond to him. In other words, they help people attune themselves to God."
– David Benner
This program is for you if…
- You feel drawn to the contemplative life
- You find yourself having deep, spiritual conversations with people often
- You are a patient listener, discerning, compassionate, and able to hold space for different people and expressions of faith
- You possess a sensitivity to God’s Spirit
- You are committed to your own spiritual growth
Deep Calls to Deep is a robust certificate program designed to be accessible to working adults who are looking to grow as companions to others on the journey of faith. This includes participants who hope to serve as spiritual directors, those in existing ministry roles (pastors, chaplains, lay leaders), other professionals (doctors, business leaders, etc.) and anyone who feels their lives would be enriched by developing the skills of deep listening, contemplation and compassionate presence.
Program Distinctives
Deep Calls to Deep seeks to honor the person, process and practice of spiritual direction. We do this through:
- Emphasis on the formation of the person who will serve as spiritual director.
- Interior growth through individual study and contemplative prayer practices.
- Learning alongside a community of peers in a 100% in-person program.
- Support from and personalized learning with program co-directors.
- One-on-one mentorship and supervision throughout the entire two-year program.
- Training in the art and process of spiritual direction.
- Lecture, group activity, study of pertinent topics (e.g., image of God, life stages, grief, reflective listening).
- Skill building through roleplay and group activity.
- Practicum sessions with a minimum of two directees per month, providing opportunities to practice listening and discernment skills, as well as fostering greater attunement to the movement of God's Spirit.
- Supervision with an experienced spiritual director/supervisor.
- Education in the historical context and practice of spiritual direction.
- Survey of Christian spirituality (early church fathers and mothers to present day) taught by theology faculty.
- Selection of a historical spiritual mentor to companion each student throughout their two years, including individualized study on the life and spirituality of this historical figure.
- Exploration of the unique context of present day spiritual direction.
Upon completion of all requirements, students will receive a certificate of completion from Whitworth University.
Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- B.A. or equivalent
- Established and ongoing relationship with a spiritual director (expected to continue for the duration of the program)
Application Process
- Ensure you are able to attend all weekend intensives held the second Friday and Saturday of each month, unless otherwise specified (Fridays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.).
- Semester 1: Jan. 10-11, Feb. 7-8, March 7-8, April 4-5, May 9-10
- Submit the application by Oct. 31.
- Submit two recommendation forms (available in the application, due by Nov. 15).
- Schedule and attend interview with program directors.
Cost: $6,500
(Payment can be made all at once or divided per semester (four payments total). A non-refundable $500 deposit is due Dec. 2, 2024 to secure your place in the cohort. First semester tuition is due Jan. 6, 2025.)
Program Cost Covers:
- Cost of tuition and materials (does not cover required texts)
- Snacks and refreshments during weekend intensives
- Monthly individual mentoring and supervision
“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” – David W. Augsburger
FAQs
Will I be a certified spiritual director at the end of this program?
Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements, students will receive a certificate of completion from Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual Direction Training & Formation at Whitworth University. Yes, this will allow you to serve as a thoroughly trained spiritual director.
Distinct from therapy and ordained ministry, there is not currently a certifying body within the field of spiritual direction, so there is not a requirement to be “certified.” This is a larger conversation we will discuss within the context of the program, as it relates to ethics, professionalism and integrity.
Students should also note that this is a non-credit-bearing certificate program.
Will sessions be recorded if I am not able to attend?
No, classes will not be recorded. We ask applicants to consider their current life circumstances as attendance is required for completion. We recognize that sometimes things happen beyond our control, and therefore allow participants to miss up to one session per year if the need arises.
Will there be other fees?
Only the cost of your books; anticipate up to three books per semester, likely in the $20 per book range. Beyond that, the registration fee covers all instruction, supervision, facility use, and snacks, coffee and other refreshments throughout each intensive.
Students will be responsible for their own lunches during the intensives. A fridge and microwave will be available for use on campus, and many restaurants are located close to campus.
How big is the cohort?
In an effort to build community and keep the student/instructor ratio low, cohorts are capped at 15 learners.
Contact Us
Are you interested in joining a Deep Calls to Deep Spiritual Direction Training Cohort? Fill out an interest form at the link below. You can also reach out directly to our program directors, Elizabeth and Andrea, with questions.
Elizabeth Peterson
Elizabeth Peterson is a spiritual director, spiritual direction supervisor, yoga instructor and retreat guide. Elizabeth seeks to create safe and sacred spaces for individuals and groups to reflect on their own lives, become more aware of God’s presence, and live from their truest identity as Beloved. She holds a Master of Arts in spiritual formation from Portland Seminary, a Spiritual Direction Certificate from Gonzaga University, a Spiritual Direction Supervision Certificate from the Companioning Center and a B.A. in education from Whitworth University.
Andrea Le Roy
Andrea Le Roy is a spiritual director, retreat guide and spiritual direction supervisor. She began her career in counseling and social work and received her spiritual direction training with the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 2014. Andrea enjoys working with individuals from diverse Christian backgrounds and those with little to no experience in organized religion. She holds an M.Ed. in psychological counseling from Vanderbilt University, a Spiritual Direction Certificate from the Dominican Center and a B.A. in religion from Taylor University.