Certificate in Spirituality Studies

The Certificate in Spirituality Studies provides an in-depth understanding of Christian spirituality that enables students to “draw from the deep wells of the tradition” in order to more carefully respond to their spiritual needs and be in service to others.

Students study various Christian spiritual and mystical traditions in order that they might more fully understand the relationship of spirituality to various theological, ethical, ecclesial, and practical concerns.

Goal

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

Student Learning Outcomes

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.
To evaluate instances of Christian religious experience and dynamics of interior transformation as understood within the Christian mystical tradition.
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.
To be able to see the connection between one’s own spiritual journey and practical concerns, social justice and ministry.
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.

Admission Requirements

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

Program Content

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.

Curriculum

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