Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Completion of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation requires five courses, following the requirements below. The certificate can be earned in conjunction with degree program requirements or as a stand-alone certificate. If a student wants to substitute other courses including those from one of the other schools in the Boston Theological Institute, they will need to consult with Dr. Claire Wolfteich, Professor of Practical Theology and Spirituality Studies, and receive approval by petition to the academic dean. Students wanting more information about the Spiritual Formation Certificate or the value of such certification may contact Dr. Wolfteich at cwolftei@bu.edu. Students wanting more information about getting the certification from their board of ordained ministry may contact Dr. Wanda Stahl, Co-Director of the Contextual Education office (wstahl@bu.edu).
STH offers two versions of the Spiritual Formation Certificate. The first is designed to meet the specific requirements of the United Methodist Certificate in Spiritual Formation. The second allows for a broader specialization for all other students.
Requirements for the United Methodist Certificate (at least one course must be taken from each area)
- Bible (other Bible courses may substitute by petition)
- TN 721 New Testament Introduction
- TN 803 Jesus in the Gospels
- TN 803 Jesus in the Gospels
- TN 805 Pauline Studies
- TN 806 The Gospel of John
- TO 704 Hebrew Bible
- TO 802 The Prophetic Tradition
- TO 816 Hebrew Wisdom
- TO 821 The Book of Psalms
- United Methodist Studies
- TH 821 History and Doctrine of United Methodism
- TT 723 United Methodist Polity
- TT 825 John Wesley’s Theology Today
- Spiritual Practices
- TC 825 Prayer and Social Engagement
- TC 837/937 Vocation, Work, and Faith
- TC 878 Sabbath: Theology and Practice
- TC 852 Spirituality and Leadership
- TC 871 Spiritual Foundations for Peace Building
- TC 819 The Sacraments: Rites and Theologies
- TE 822 Spirituality and Liberative Pedagogy
- TC 809 Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries
- TC 829/909 Spiritual Autobiographies
- Spiritual Guidance and Spiritual Formation
- TC 823 Spiritual Guidance in the Christian Tradition
- TC 809 Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries
- Spiritual Formation/Direction Practicum
- TC 893 Practicum in Spiritual Direction: The practicum is designed to develop competencies in spiritual formation and spiritual direction ministries. The practicum course may be fulfilled in various ways—for example, through an established spiritual direction training program such as Gateways to God or through a customized practicum in spiritual formation. This requirement also can be met through Contextual Education courses (e.g., TC 801/802) if the placement includes regular supervised work in spiritual formation and spiritual direction ministries.
Requirements for all other students—students NOT pursuing the United Methodist Certificate (at least one course must be taken from each area)
- Spirituality Studies Across the Disciplines (choose one of the following, in consultation with advisor):
- TC 844/912 Classics in Christian Spirituality
- TH 820 History of Western Christian Spirituality
- TY 806/906 Theories of Human Development
- TO 821 The Book of Psalms
- TN 803 Jesus in the Gospels
- TO 802 The Prophetic Tradition
- TT 945 Spirituality, Medicine & Health
- TT 974 Religious Experience
- TT 818 Development of Christian Thought: The Holy Spirit
- TT 855 Theology of Christian Mysticism
- Spiritual Practices (choose two of the following courses, in consultation with advisor):
- TC 825 Prayer and Social Engagement
- TC 837/937 Vocation, Work, and Faith
- TC 878 Sabbath: Theology and Practice
- TC 852 Spirituality and Leadership
- TC 871 Spiritual Foundations for Peace Building
- TC 819 The Sacraments: Rites and Theologies
- TE 822 Spirituality and Liberative Pedagogy
- TC 809 Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries
- TC 829/909 Spiritual Autobiographies
- Spiritual Guidance and Spiritual Formation
- TC 823 Spiritual Guidance in the Christian Tradition
- TC 809 Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries
- Spiritual Formation/Direction Practicum
- TC 893 Practicum in Spiritual Direction: The practicum is designed to develop competencies in spiritual formation and spiritual direction ministries. The practicum course may be fulfilled in various ways—for example, through an established spiritual direction training program such as Gateways to God or through a customized practicum in spiritual formation. This requirement also can be met through Contextual Education courses (e.g., TC 801/802) if the placement includes regular supervised work in spiritual formation and spiritual direction ministries.
- With the approval of the certificate advisor, students also may substitute another course in spirituality studies to fulfill this requirement if the course project entails a substantial practical component in spiritual guidance or spiritual formation ministry. This option is not available for students seeking to fulfill the United Methodist requirements for the Spiritual Formation Certificate.
