SCA University of Theology and Spirituality

www.UofTS.org
 

West Coast Office:

7209 S. Puget Sound Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98409

Phone:  (253) 442-6850

Fax: (253) 212-3343

info@UofTS.org

East Coast Office:

505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 900

New York, NY 10018

Phone: (212) 644-1111

Fax: (212) 758-9959

info@UofTS.org

© 2019 by Spiritual Care Association University of Theology and Spirituality

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Earn a Degree
in Spiritual Direction

Do you feel a calling to be with others as they attempt to deepen their relationship with God and grow in their own personal spirituality?
 

A Degree in Spiritual Direction May Be the Right Path for You.

A UTS degree in Spiritual Direction will provide you with the skillset and knowledge to serve as a spiritual director.

A spiritual director serves as a midwife for the soul, assisting others in the development of their own spiritual growth and development.

 

UTS offers two graduate degrees in
Spiritual Direction:​

Master of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction (M Th. SPDI) 

Doctor of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction (D. Th. SPDI)

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​

SPDI degree programs are focused on an integrative approach to Spiritual Direction in multiple facets while providing a pathway for personal and inter-spiritual growth. Students study religious and faith culture, theology, psychology and ethics through an inclusive and progressive spiritual lens. He or she will develop knowledge, skills and a multicultural understanding of individuals who are traveling a spiritual path, while also finding meaning and personal spiritual enrichment through study and partnership with fellow students. Self-discovery goes hand-in-hand with our teaching philosophy. 

BEST
PRACTICES

in Spiritual Direction

SCA UTS online degrees in Spiritual Direction take the best practices of formation, education, and experiential learning to assist students in becoming Soul Friends, Soul Shepherds, Spiritual Guides, Spiritual Companions, and Spiritual Directors.  We utilize a model of spirituality, faith, life, and relevant work experience.

5 Reasons to Choose Our Program

Spiritual Care

We are one of the few educational centers that focus on Spiritual Care, Spirituality, and Theology in a rich environment of Interfaith education.  Our goal is not to make people carbon copies of ourselves, but to improve upon what they bring to the educational table. 

1.

Interfaith Spiritual Director
Many of the programs that exist today are silo specific.  Many of these programs are entirely focused on a single religious tradition. SCA UTS values many voices from many traditions.  Our spiritual directors begin with an interfaith model. The Student Spiritual Director brings with them their own experiences and journey which assist them in helping others from many faith backgrounds.

2.

Spiritual Direction Centered. 
Not Religious Centered.  
The curriculum for many of today’s Spiritual Director programs offer classes that prepare students to pastor, priest, chaplain, theologian, or a biblical scholar.  None of these areas are our intent in our Spiritual Direction program.  Our Interfaith Spiritual Directors have taught courses that assist them in being present for those that are seeking the Sacred.

3.

Earn a Degree.
Not a Certificate.

It is our goal to set a higher bar and standard for today’s Spiritual Directors.  There are many programs that offer certificates in Spiritual Direction with many various outcomes in the training.  We offer Master and Doctorate Degrees. As part of our degree programs, you can receive credit for all or most of your certificate training in Spiritual Direction.  It is also possible to receive academic credit for the work you previously did as a Spiritual Director. Simply put: we set the bar higher and want to see our Spiritual Directors as more intentionally, professionally, and spiritually formed.

4.

Learn from the Experts.

SCA's sister organization, HealthCare Chaplaincy Network (HCCN), was founded in 1961. It is a leader in spiritual care research, clinical services, training and education. It provides state-of-the-art professional chaplaincy services in hospitals, other care settings, and online. HCCN and SCA both provide a plethora of education, experience, and expertise, bringing together one of the largest international think tanks in spiritual care which has developed and produced chaplaincy quality indicators, a scope of practice, numerous white papers, and other resources for both education and practice. Why not learn directly from the experts?

5.

Our Spiritual Direction Program

The SCA UTS Spiritual Direction Program has five components:

  1. Knowledge: Tradition, sociology, religious and spiritual understandings, psychology, affective pedagogical approaches, relevance, and what it means to listen are all the building blocks of the Spiritual Director's knowledge base.

  2. Experience: Each student will be assisted in, and required to have their own experience as a directee during the completion of the program.

  3. Practice: Each student will be assisted in, and required to have their own experience as a Spiritual Director during the completion of the program.

  4. Clinical Spiritual Director Education: This is similar to Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE); however, it is specifically designed with the Spiritual Director in mind.  Very much like CPE, it utilizes the student Spiritual Director's experience as a Spiritual Director practitioner as the learning component.  It is a way to further process their work with directees by engaging them within a group setting and utilizing verbatims and case studies.   

  5. Relevant Continuing Education:  SCA UTS has the largest think-tank, knowledge base, and coming together of minds, souls, and hearts focused on Spiritual Care in the world.  This brings with it a milieu of professionalism, education, and skills never accounted for before.  All of this lends itself towards continuing education coursework that is relevant, integral, and current for the Spiritual Director.

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Graduate Degrees in Spiritual Direction

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Master of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction (M Th. Spiritual Direction)

The Master of Theology Degree (M.Th.) in Spiritual Direction program is designed for those who have already had some experience in the art of Spiritual Direction and have earned a Bachelor Degree in a similar industry in another field.  These are people who feel called to provide spiritual guidance to others who are seeking unity and spiritual understanding.  

 

Doctor of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction (D. Th. Spiritual Direction)

The Doctor of Theology Degree (D.Th.) in Spiritual Direction program is designed for those who have already had some experience in the art of spiritual direction.  It implies that they have been working in the field with a Master of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction or a similar degree. These are people who feel called to provide spiritual guidance to others at the highest training level for those who are seeking unity and spiritual understanding. 

Why SCA UTS?

​

  • It's Affordable.
    SCA UTS receives funding from generous benefactors, which allows us to keep tuition very low. You could earn your degree for as low as $7,500. Our pay-as-you-go tuition payment plans make it very convenient. 

  • It's Convenient. 
    You don't have to put your life on hold to pursue your degree. Our programs were created with the busy professional in mind. Everything is online and tailored to meet your needs. We have multiple start dates throughout the year. Some degrees could be completed in as little as 24 months.

  • It's Reputable. 
    With degree-granting authority from the State of Washington and the backing of the national Spiritual Care Association, SCA UTS delivers programs of the highest quality. Our faculty make up the largest spiritual care think tank in the world!.

  • It's Realistic. 
    We understand that knowledge doesn't always come from textbooks and lectures.  Oftentimes, hands-on life experience in ministry and pastoral work is the best teacher. SCA UTS offers generous life credits.

Other Master and Doctorate Degree Programs Available

Master Degrees:

  • Master of Theology Degree in Progressive Studies

  • Master of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction

  • Master of Theology Degree in Chaplaincy

  • Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Ministry

 

Doctorate Degrees:

  • Doctor of Theology Degree in Progressive Studies

  • Doctor of Theology Degree in Spiritual Direction

  • Doctor of Theology Degree in Chaplaincy

  • Doctor of Theology Degree in Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy

  • Doctor of Theology Degree in Religious Education

  • Doctor of Chaplaincy Degree in Certified Clinical Chaplaincy

  • Doctor of Chaplaincy in Certified Psychophysiology Chaplaincy

  • Doctor of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Ministry

 

UTS also offers Associate and Bachelor Degrees. To see a full list of degree programs, click here.