Certificate in Spirituality Studies

The goal is to provide a comprehensive academic background in Christian Spirituality with an emphasis on principal classical and contemporary traditions.

1. To present a summary overview of major historical periods within the history of Christian spirituality by identifying various movements, spiritual schools, and relevant classical spirituality literature.
2. To evaluate instances of Christian religious experience and dynamics of interior transformation as understood within the Christian mystical tradition.
3. To describe and evaluate the various contributions to Christian spirituality which have emerged from within our culturally diverse society, notably with respect to Hispanic influences.
4. To be able to see the connection between one’s own spiritual journey and practical concerns, social justice and ministry.
5. To integrate their own spiritual journey in critical dialogue with the various spiritual traditions covered in the program and to be prepared to apply it in ministry and/or further academic research endeavors.

See the section in the Catalogue under General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies.

Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year the Certificate in Spirituality Studies will allow each student to choose courses offered in MA Spirituality program as well as other OST course offerings in order to meet their own needs and academic goals.

The Certificate requires students to successfully complete eighteen (18) total credit hours with a total GPA of 2.75 or higher.  Two introductory courses are required and are listed below. In addition, students will be able to specialize in one (1) of two (2) possible areas: The Spirituality of Aging and Spiritual Formation for Faith Communities. This specialization would require a student to take nine (9) credits designated for the area of concentration. 

The Spirituality of Aging would incorporate already existing elements of the Forest Dwelling Program and have them taught in regular rotation as three (3) credit classes.  

Spiritual Formation would draw on already existing courses offered across the curriculum at OST.  The MA director would determine which courses could be taken to satisfy the nine (9) credit requirement for specialization.

For all students this program requires eighteen (18) Masters level credit hours. 

Required Courses

• Introduction to Christian Spirituality Studies
• TS 7369 Overview of the History of Christian Spirituality

Other Courses in Common Rotation

• TS 7371 Classical Christian Writers I 
• TS 7373 Classical Christian Writers II
• TS 7376 Biblical Foundations of Spirituality
• TS 7370 Fundamental Principles of Spiritual Direction
• TS 7370 Integration of Psychology and Spirituality

Past elective courses include the following: 

• Contemporary Mystics: Henri Nouwen, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Daniel Berrigan, and Wendy Beckett
• Contemporary Spirituality
• Desert Spirituality
• Divine Kenosis and Christian Spirituality
• Franciscan Spirituality: From God, to God, Through Christ
• French Spirituality
• Foundational Principles for Christian Spirituality
• Foundations and Expressions of Christian Prayer
• G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and the Christian Imagination
• Ignatian Spirituality
• Insane for the Light: Spirituality of Aging and Dying 
• John of the Cross: The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and the Dark Night
• John of the Cross: Living Flame of Love
• Love is God’s Meaning: Spiritual Path of English Mystics
• Medieval Women Mystics
• Mysticism
• Mysticism and Social Justice
• Portraits of World Mysticism
• Salesian Spirituality
• Spanish Mystics, Biblical Interpretation,  and Song of Songs
• Spirituality and Justice
• Spirituality and Mission
• Spirituality and Thought of Thomas Merton
• Spirituality and Thought of Henri Nouwen
• Spirituality and the Two Halves of Life
• Survey of Contemporary Spirituality
• Teresa of Avila: Doctor of the Soul
• Teresian Carmelite Spirituality
• The Contemporary Spirituality of Thomas Merton: On Racism, Violence, and Justice
• A Way in the World: The Spiritual Path of Family and Friendship