The Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction

The Graduate Theological Foundation

The GTF Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction has been created to offer graduate level studies for ministry professionals who wish to deepen their knowledge and widen their experience in offering spiritual direction, particularly in interfaith settings. Here at GTF, we recognize that many people no longer identify with one particular faith tradition, and many consider themselves to be spiritual but not affiliated with a set religion. Yet in many cases, there is still a desire to find spiritual direction. The courses and experiences of this center are offered to equip ministry professionals in this new and transforming arena of spirituality in today’s world.

The Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction currently offers a master in arts degree in Interfaith Spiritual Direction. We will soon be adding a Doctor of Ministry degree in Interfaith Spiritual Direction. Details of the requirements for this degree program are below.

Master of Arts in Interfaith Spiritual Direction

The Master in Arts Degree in Interfaith Spiritual Direction (M.A.) is a professional degree program. Professional degrees are oriented toward praxis in the relevant field of study with an emphasis placed upon topical issues, problem-solving agendas, and mechanisms for implementation strategies. The exit project may be presented through the use of various media such as workbooks and manuals, videos, CD-ROMs, websites, and DVDs. The exit project is written under faculty consultation and endorsed by the faculty consultant.

The Master in Arts in Interfaith Spiritual Direction degree is a 30-credit program that may be completed in no less than eighteen months and no more than three years.

24 online or residential course credits (8 courses)
6 credits (Exit Project)

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent validated by a transcript.
• Five years of accumulated experience in a cognate field of ministry (lay, religious, ordained).
• Completion of the Application Procedure.

Program Requirements

• Students are expected to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the Student Handbook of the year of their acceptance with particular focus on their particular degree program. Students are bound by the academic and financial requirements of the Handbook in use at the time of their acceptance. The current Student Handbook as well as past years’ Handbooks can be viewed here.
• Completion of Eight Units of Study: 4 required courses in the core curriculum of the Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation and 4 electives taken from the GTF or other approved educational institutions. The Core curriculum consists of the following:

• Any student wishing to have previously completed academic work evaluated for possible transfer credit or wishing to complete coursework through a venue other than the Graduate Theological Foundation for use as transfer credit toward the four elective courses (not applicable for the required core curriculum) must contact the Office of the Registrar for approval. Accepted transfer credit has the potential to decrease the total tuition paid by the student. Requests for acceptance of transfer credit are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. GTF transfer credit policy allows for a $600 tuition reduction per Unit of Study (3 cr.)
• Completion of the non-credit course, Research Methodology. This course is a prerequisite to beginning the project.
• Completion of the Master of Arts in Interfaith Spiritual Direction project and submission of one electronic or hard copy including the Project Consultant’s evaluation forms.