Post-Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation
An in-depth, intensive program of study to enhance one’s ability to mentor the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities.
Take the next step in your ministerial career and strengthen your ability to transform the spiritual lives of individuals and Christian faith communities. Three themes—prayer and discernment, the art of spiritual direction, and working within faith communities—highlight the program. This advanced certificate is offered only in the summers and is completed over three summers. The program includes discussions with faculty, who are established professionals, and hands-on, small-group work. Prerequisites include a master’s degree in theology and full-time experience in ministry.
Certificate Features
An introduction to the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice
An opportunity to fine-tune retreat skills
Convenient summer study – two weeks for three consecutive summers
Opportunity to participate in vibrant daily liturgy
Economical on-campus housing
This three-year program takes place in July during Summer at CSTM. Each summer the program meets for two weeks, Monday through Friday, with morning faculty presentations and discussion based on assigned readings and an afternoon practicum in spiritual guidance/spiritual direction.
Dates
July 14–25, 2025
Cost
This certificate is a total of 6 credits — 2 credits per summer. Our 2024 credit rate was $1,318/credit; the 2025 rate will be set in March 2025. Scholarships are available.
Schedule (subject to change)
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Lecture, Presentation, Discussion
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. — Liturgy and Lunch Break
1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. — Afternoon Practicum
Affordable on-campus housing is available during the duration of the program.
Curriculum
Unit A: Ways of Prayer & Discernment
Next Offered: 2027
Morning Session Themes
Historical developments in prayer, teaching forms of Christian prayer, comparative approaches to prayer,the significance of place and body in prayer, the art of discernment, and tools and resources in discernment
Afternoon Session
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of prayer rituals
Unit B: The Art of Spiritual Direction
Next Offered: 2025
Morning Session Themes
Historical roots of spiritual guidance, contemporary understandings of spiritual guidance, developmental considerationsfor spiritual guides, ethical considerations in spiritual direction work, contemplative listening, and particular issues in spiritual direction
Afternoon Session
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of retreat presentations
Unit C: Fostering Creativity & Communal Spiritual Formation
Next Offered: 2026
Morning Session Themes
Creative approaches to ritual, creative approaches to dreams in spirituality work, creative writing as a spiritual resource,multiple intelligences and diverse ways of knowing in spiritual formation work, extended senses of community,spirituality and one’s work community, group discernment, group spiritual direction, and spiritual issues arising in community
Afternoon Session
Interactive spiritual direction exercises, verbatims, role plays, and peer review of scriptural reflection
At the end of years one and two, assignments are given to be completed in preparation for the next year’s session (i.e., reading, verbatim, prayer ritual, retreat presentation, and/or scriptural reflection). The order in which Units A, B, and C are offered will not necessarily coincide with year I, II, and III of participation in the program. Students will begin with the unit being offered that year. Completion of all three units is required to earn the certificate.
“The past three years in the Post-Master's Certificate program has not only given me the practical skills and experience to make spiritual direction part of my everyday ministry, but it has reinforced the importance of my own continued prayer, discernment, and learning as a professional minister. Each summer has been an oasis, a chance to gather with colleagues and engage in what feels like a two-week retreat.”
Application Requirements
PrintLay and ordained persons experienced in ministry with a master’s degree in a theological discipline are invited to apply. This program cultivates skills that are helpful for a wide range of ministerial positions, and can be applied in a variety of settings.
Early Action Deadline: March 3, 2025.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date until the program is full.
Application Fee
A non-refundable fee of $75 is required for every degree and non-degree application submitted.
Payment Options
- Pay by credit or debit card via the web; You can pay the application fee at the same time your submit your application form.
Please note: The application fee cannot be refunded for any reason. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you should not pay the fee when you submit the application form. Fee waivers are granted to the following applicants: Jesuits, veterans, applicants currently completing a year of service or who are Pell Grant-eligible, and current CSTM students. We do not waive the application fee for other reasons.
Personal Statement
The personal statement must be uploaded as part of the application. The personal statement should be two to three pages in length, double-spaced.
Your statement should address the following:
- What leads you to apply to this program at this time?
- How do you hope this program will contribute to your growth as a minister?
- What do you understand by the term "spirituality"?
- How do you describe "spiritual direction"?
Transcripts
We require transcripts from all colleges, universities, seminaries, or theological schools that you have attended. Each transcript should contain a list of all coursework taken, grades/marks received, and, if applicable, degree granted and date of degree confirmation. If your college or university will send official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to stmadm@xyschool.net. Otherwise, transcripts must be mailed and be contained in a sealed, signed envelope. If the official transcript is not English, a translation should be provided with the official document. Please alert us if your transcript will be arriving with a different name than the one you are using on your application (e.g. your maiden name). Please note that a transcript is only considered official if received directly from the institution issuing it.
Please note that your application may be reviewed with unofficial copies of your transcripts. If you send unofficial copies, know that if admitted, you must sent official copies before you begin coursework. If you are currently finishing your theological master's, you must send a final, official version of your transcript upon graduating, and before beginning the Post-Master's Certificate. If you have questions, please reach out to us.
Mailing Addresses
For applicants using the U.S. Postal Service:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
For applicants using FedEx or UPS:
Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Simboli Hall
9 Lake Street
Brighton, MA 02135-3841
Recommendations
Applicants to the Post-Master's Certificate are equired to submit one recommendation using the online application system.
The recommender should be familiar with the applicant’s suitability for advanced training in spiritual formation work.
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons, or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. This is in addition to the other recommendation. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.
Please be sure that your recommenders are aware of the application deadlines and online process, and choose them carefully to ensure that they can write on your behalf in a timely manner.
Résumé
The resume must be uploaded as part of the application. It is helpful if you highlight relevant ministry, service, and leadership positions you have held.
Religious & International Applicants
Religious Applicants
Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.
“This experience has given me a language for and a capacity to recognize the movements and realities of the human spirit; something not always sought nor honored in our world. The coursework in the art of spiritual direction particularly, has deepened my appreciation for this ancient Christian practice of accompanying others who seek to find meaning in the vastness of a loving, kind yet mysterious Creator who unfolds in all of our lives. I am more capable of honoring that and assisting that growth in all persons.”