Spiritual Direction Formation Programs

Spiritual Direction Training Programs

If you are discerning the call to become a spiritual director, a knowledge of the various opportunities for training is helpful — including prerequisites, program requirements, format, and costs.

We have compiled a list of spiritual direction training programs available on the East Coast (Maine to Georgia). Our list is not exhaustive, but it does represent many of the prominent programs that offer spiritual direction training rooted in the Ignatian tradition.

We do our best to update this list regularly, but we encourage you to refer to each program’s website for up-to-date information.

Click the button below to show Spiritual Direction Training Programs.


Select Spiritual Direction Formation Programs (Jesuits USA East Province) last updated: 8/15/2023


*Most spiritual direction training programs require that applicants have the following:			Guidelines cited by Spiritual Directors International call for the creative integration of:
- Experience a felt call to spiritual companionship with others - Have an adequate background in theology, scripture and spirituality - Be receiving monthly Spiritual Direction for at least one year - Possess emotional stability and spiritual maturity - Be committed to ongoing spiritual growth and regular prayer - Be a participating member of a faith community			- Theological Foundations - Discernment - Psychological Foundations - Integration with Social Issues - Spiritual Direction Practicum - Mentorship Supervision

Location/School	Program	Format		Prerequisites	Other
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry, Brighton, MA	Post-master’s Certificate in Spiritual Formation https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/stm/academics/summer-at-stm/post-masters-certificate.html	Two-week sessions each summer for three years		Master's degree in a theological discipline
Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Brighton, MA	Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative https://www.spiritualdirectionii.org Contact : 617-680-6815 Email : ii@csjboston.org	Eight-month virtual program. Full day session every Tuesday from September to mid-April; two in-person weekend retreats plus two integration days.		Two years of one-on-one regular spiritual direction. Some experience in pastoral ministry, background in theology, a felt call to spiritual companionship.
St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center, Boston, MA	Franciscan Spiritual Direction Certification Program https://stanthonyshrine.org/ministries/spiritual-direction-certification-program/ Contact: Carol Mitchell cmitchell@stanthonyshrine.org 727-492-8315	Two-year program meets mostly virtually one Saturday/month Sept. - May; with one in-person weekend program and one weekend retreat.		Practice of daily prayer; at least three to five years’ experience of being in spiritual direction; a sense of call to the ministry of spiritual direction.
Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality	Spiritual Direction Formation Program https://www.fairfield.edu/catholic-and-jesuit/center-for-ignatian-spirituality/ Contact: mcis@fairfield.edu	Two-year certificate program. Annual one-week residency and eight Saturday meetings. Quarterly meetings by phone with faculty advisor. Some distance learning.		Minimum 30 years of age; Appropriate background in theology and ministry; Seeing a spiritual director regularly over a significant time; Active in faith community.
Canisius College Buffalo, NY	Spiritual Directors Institute – McQuaid Jesuits https://mcquaid.org/ignatian-ministry/office-of-ignatian-identity/spiritual-directors-institute/ Contact: Damian Zynda, Th.D. dzynda@mcquaid.org	Two-year program combining remote and in-person formation. Program highlights include: Making the full Spiritual Exercises either in the 30-Day or Nineteenth Annotation models; One week of summer (June) prayer, reflection and course work in Years 1 and 2 at Loyola Hall, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY; Supervised spiritual direction practicum (includes monthly supervision).		Participants have made the Spiritual Exercises in either the 30 Day or 19th Annotation formats prior to Year 1 summer studies. Receiving spiritual direction (if one is not currently making the Spiritual Exercises).
Fordham University, Bronx, NY	Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction https://www.fordham.edu/graduate-school-of-religion-and-religious-education/academics/advanced-certificate-programs/spiritual-direction/	18 credits with option to take courses on campus, online or hybrid. Three req. courses before beginning Spiritual Direction Practicum.		One year's experience in monthly spiritual direction.	Fordham also offers an Advanced Certificate in Supervision and an Advanced Certificate in Christian Spirituality.
St. Francis Xavier Parish, New York, NY	Spiritual Director Formation Program https://sfxavier.org/faith-formation/#spiritual-direction-formation-program Contact: Spiritualdirection@sfxavier.org	Two-year formation program that meets in-person bi-monthly on Wed. evenings. Curriculum includes: theology of spiritual direction; Ignatian spirituality & discernment; contemporary issues in spiritual diretion; individual and peer supervision.		Bachelor's Degree; engaged in monthly spiritual direction; completed (or in the process of completing) the Spiritual Exercises (19th annotation or 30-day retreat).	See program brochure at: https://sfxavier.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Spiritual-Direction-Formation-Brochure.pdf
Spiritual Renewal Center, Syracuse, NY	Horizons Spiritual Direction Program http://www.spiritualrenewalcenter.com/ Contact: Steve Moore mail@spiritualrenewalcenter.com	Two-year program with monthly sessions focusing on the principles and practices of spiritual direction with supervision of spiritual direction practice.		Substantial knowledge in theology/scripture/spirituality. One year’s experience receiving spiritual direction.	Additional programs offered including the Spiritual Exercises.
Center for Spiritual Formation Carlisle, PA	The Ministry of Spiritual Direction http://centerformation.org/	Two-year program; one weekend each month.		Receive spiritual direction at least once/month.	Also offer peer supervision gatherings and retreats.
Parish Resource Center, Lancaster, PA	Kairos Spiritual Direction Training Based on the Ignatian Model https://connectprc.org/programming/spiritual-direction-training/ Contact: info@parishresourcecenter.org	Two-year certificate program			Additional programs offered.
Pneuma Institute, LLC Pittsburgh, PA	Spiritual Direction & Leadership Program https://pneumainstitutesdl.org/sdlp/	Two-year certificate program that draws upon the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Includes one in-person and two virtual intensives each year.		BA or equivalent life experience; some biblical and theological background; completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises; spiritual direction for nine consecutive months; support of spiritual community and sense of call to ministry of spiritual direction.	Additional programs offered including individual and peer supervision.
Cranaleith Spiritual Center Sisters of Mercy Philadelphia, PA	Spiritual Direction Formation Program https://cranaleith.org/spiritual-direction-formation-program/	Two-year certificate program of virtual sessions and on-site retreats with a contemplative approach and a focus on spiritual accompaniment with those who are marginalized.		Receiving spiritual accompaniment for one year prior to starting this program.	Additional programs offered.
Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD	Loyola Ignatian Formation Experience (LIFE) https://www.loyola.edu/department/mission-integration Contact: Fr. Timothy Brown, SJ tbrown@loyola.edu	This three-year program forms compassionate and competent guides to accompany retreatants through the Spiritual Exercises. It is for individuals who have prayed the Spiritual Exercises and who have discerned a call to the ministry of giving them.		made the Spiritual Exercises according to the 19th or 20th Annotation with a trained Ignatian guide receiving or willing to receive individual monthly spiritual direction is active in a faith community two references from individuals who have known the applicant for at least three years and can speak to the person’s faith journey and competencies to guide others
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Washington, DC	Ignatian Training Program: Becoming Spiritual Directors or Spiritual Companions https://trinity.org/training-programs-in-the-ignatian-tradition/ Contact: Martina O’Shea moshea@trinity.org	Drawn from the Spiritual Exercises, this three-year program meeting from September – May integrates an adult learning model with the Ignatian principle of cura personalis through prayer, study, reflection, community, small and large group discussion, contemplative individual and peer group supervision.		Applicant finds prayer to be integral to one’s life. Has a zeal for Ignatian spirituality. Is intellectually curious. Has wrestled with some aspect of one’s faith. Has been approached by others who want to talk about their prayer. Has been active in a faith community for 3 years. Has been in monthly spiritual direction for 2 years. Has made the Spiritual Exercises in the 19th or 20th annotation format. As of August, 2023 this program is not accepting applications. Its leaders are taking a hiatus to enrich the program with recent learnings. Further information on when the program will resume and how to apply will be shared when it becomes available.	Also offers one semester Explore and Discern seminar for those discernign a call to the ministry of Spiritual Direction and a three-year Faber Training Program to give the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Shalem Institute, Washington, DC	Nurturing the Call: Spiritual Guidance Program https://shalem.org/programs/types/long-term-programs/	Two-year certificate program with a contemplative approach includes at-home work and two residencies in Washington, DC.		Sense of call to spiritual companionship validated by others; experience receiving spiritual direction/spiritual companionship; support of faith community for the ministry of spiritual direction; commitment to a religious tradition and openness to other traditions.	Additional contemplative programs offered including group spiritual direction.
The Open Door, Charlottesville, VA	Spiritual Direction Institute https://opendoorsdi.org/what-is-spiritual-direction/	Two-year program includes 16 Saturday meetings from September through June and four weekend retreats.			Classes are offered in Charlottesville and Richmond.
West Virginia Institute for Spirituality, Charleston, WV	Spiritual Direction Certification Training Program Practicum http://wvis.org/	Certificate program rooted in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and offered through a hybrid model of in-person and virtual sessions. Includes a number of retreats.		BA degree or equivalent life experience; sufficient knowledge in the areas of theology, scripture, psychology and the spiritual life; two years ongoing spiritual direction; 0-day directed retreat or full year 19th Annotation Retreat before or during program.	Also offer a training program in Supervision and directing the 19th Annotation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL	Certificate of Spiritual Direction https://www.shc.edu/academics/graduate-students/degrees/certificate-spiritual-direction/	Two-year certificate program rooted in Ignatian spirituality offered in a hybrid model of virtual and in-person sessions.		Minimum age of 30; extensive theological and spiritual prerequisites or corequisites (30-hours of course work or the equivalent).
World on Fire Spiritual Direction Formation Program, Charlotte, NC	Spiritual Direction Formation Program https://www.worldonfireformationprogram.com/ Contact: info@worldonfireformationprogram.com	Four-year certificate program, grounded in Ignatian spirituality, following the themes of the four weeks of the Spiritual Exercises. Annual, required one week Residency period in June of each year [Sunday to Saturday residency]. For the remainder of each year, all work and assignments occur from home.		Minimum of 30 years of age; in regular spiritual direction for at least one year prior to admission; engaged in regular spiritual practice [individually and communally]
Ignatius House, Atlanta, GA	Tending the Flame Spiritual Direction Formation Program Contact: Kay Satterfield Tending the Flame Spiritual Direction Formation Program Coordinator ksatterfield@ignatiushouse.org, 404.255.0503, ext. 246 https://ignatiushouse.org/tendingtheflame/	Two-year spiritual direction formation program offered in a hybrid model. The program is grounded in the Ignatian tradition and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Program highlights include: 7-8 virtual Saturday morning sessions and 7-8 virtual Wednesday evenings per year; one weeklong residency per year at Ignatius House Retreat Center in Atlanta, GA; one supervised prayer retreat at Ignatius House per year; closing retreat at Ignatius House.		Completion of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius retreat (19th Annotation in daily life or thirty-day format); experience of a five-night Ignatian Individually Directed Retreat; regular participation in an individual and communal faith practice; receiving monthly spiritual direction.	Scholarships available for persons of color in hopes of developing a more diverse pool of Ignatian trained spiritual directors.

Other Jesuit Programs	Program	Format		Prerequisites	Other
Loyola House Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Guelph, ON	Ignatian Training Program in Spiritual Direction https://ignatiusguelph.ca/events/category/all/spiritual-direction-training/	Programs include: Basic Skills in Ignatian Spiritual Direction (3 weeks) Spiritual Directors’ Workshop (2 weeks) Expanded Skills in Ignatian Spiritual Direction (6 weeks) Applied Skills in Ignatian Spiritual Direction (4 week practicum)		Applicants must have completed the Spiritual Exercises (30-day or 19th annotation) under personal direction.	All programs are in-person and take seriously the connection between spirituality and ecology.
John Carroll University, University Heights, OH	Ignatian Spirituality Institute Certificate in Ignatian Spiritual Direction https://www.jcu.edu/ignatian-spirituality-institute	Two-year certificate program in spiritual direction can be done on a non-credit basis or as part of the MA program. Year 1 sessions 2x/month plus some weekends. Year 2 schedule is more flexible.		College degree or equivalent. Helpful if applicants have prior experience in theological study and maintain a regular prayer practice or desire to cultivate one.
Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL	Institute of Pastoral Studies Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction https://www.luc.edu/ips/graduate-certificates/spiritual-direction/ MA in Christian Spirituality with Concentration in Spiritual Direction https://www.luc.edu/ips/degrees/spirituality	MA: 36-hour degree program offered virtually, in-person or hybrid. Certificate: Two-year 18-credit program with both supervised practicum and course work.		MA: Must have a bachelor's degree. GRAD. CERT: Must have MA or above. BOTH: Must complete 30 day or 19th Annotation prior to conceptual element part of program.
Creighton University, Omaha, NB	Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats M.A. in Christian Spirituality https://gradschool.creighton.edu/programs/graduate-certificates/ministry-formation/spiritual-direction-directed-retreats	Two degrees are offered: A 21-credit Certificate and a 33-credit M.A. including Fall/Spring on-line classes and summer, in-person courses. Programs include reflection, prayer, worship, community and study that cultivates a deep knowledge and personal appropriation of Christian Spirituality in the Ignatian tradition. Includes a nine-month, directed practicum experience with supervised spiritual direction and retreat formation.		BA or equivalent; see website for detailed requirements for this program.

We want to hear from you!

We are here to help people find God through spiritual direction, and to support spiritual directors in their ministry.

If you have questions about our work or want to get involved, let us know!