Graduate Theology

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Request an application

To have an application form mailed to you, please fill out the online application request form.

Request Form

A spiritual director helps people discern how the Holy Spirit is leading and working in their lives. There is a great need for more committed Christians to serve as spiritual directors. Spiritual directors can be lay men and women, vowed religious or priests.

A well-trained spiritual director will have completed a master's-level theology degree plus specialized training in spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is distinct from psychological counseling, although a good spiritual director will draw on insights from pastoral psychology as well as the Christian spiritual tradition.

Saint Meinrad's graduate certificate in spiritual direction is an 18-credit, three-year program intended to give you the intellectual framework and practical skills to serve as an effective spiritual director.

It combines hybrid distance courses and on-campus coursework with a year-long supervised spiritual direction practicum. The program covers various methods of spiritual direction, but emphasizes the Benedictine tradition and charisms.

Eligibility

To take classes as a Post-Graduate, you must:

  • Have a master’s-level theological degree or have completed diaconal formation.

  • Receive regular spiritual direction for at least one year prior to application (at least six meetings/year).

The recommended minimum age for post-master’s certificates is 30.

How to Apply

  1. Request an application

  2. Submit the following:

    • Completed Spiritual Direction Certificate Student Application Form

    • Official transcripts sent to us from the institution confirming receipt of a master’s-level degree in theology or pastoral ministry and/or a final transcript indicating completion of a permanent deacon formation program

    • Application Essays (prompt found on application)

    • Nonrefundable $40 application fee - pay online here

  3. Request permission from the Coordinator of Spiritual Direction Certificates.

Tuition

Spiritual Direction Program students pay the regular graduate tuition rate. Saint Meinrad alumni receive the regular alumni tuition discount.

For information, visit Financial Information or contact the Financial Aid Office at (812) 357-6561 or financialaid@saintmeinrad.edu.