Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction
A high-touch training program rooted in the historic tradition and turned toward the local church
Our uniquely designed Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction (ASD) builds on a core of historical spiritual theology and practical training modules with special-topic electives and 1:1 mentorship to form deeply rooted spiritual directors.
Choose from three distinct modalities to support your calling to serve the local church.
Program distinctives
The Order of the Common Life’s apprenticeship in spiritual direction offers a flexible, module-based, mentorship-driven training model.
Pick your path: Begin individually and learn at your own pace, join an online cohort to support your formation, or journey with a local cohort in your context.
Learn from the ancient tradition: Build on a robust theology of formation, from the New Testament through the Desert Fathers and the monastic tradition.
Customize your learning: Chose from elective modules like Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction, Discerning Marriage & Celibacy, IFS & Parts Work, and more.
Explore your emerging vocation: Meet regularly with a dedicated spiritual direction mentor to personally integrate your learning.
Train 100% online: Complete your program with no residency requirement in most cases. (Local church-based cohorts meet approximately 50% online.)
*Cost estimated based on possible rates of progress based on fall 2025 tuition. See cost breakdowns on each program page.
Entry requirements
Prior to applying, ASD participants in each modality should have:
Experience meeting with a spiritual director for at least 12 months
A regular, deep prayer life featuring some degree of both conversation and quiet with God
A lived commitment to the Christian faith
An active commitment to participate in a local church
A persistent sense of invitation to the work of spiritual direction
Consideration can be given for some exceptions.
Curriculum
Each ASD modality features a 76-unit curriculum combined with four experiential “practica.” (Local church-based cohorts include additional in-person retreat weekends.)
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This set of modules introduces the overall ASD program in order to ensure a shared understanding and starting point for all students.
Formational Theology Core (32 units)
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This course introduces the development of central theological themes in spiritual formation, from the Gospel of John into the present, including knowledge of God, the image and likeness of God, theosis, the active and contemplative lives, and the role of Scripture.
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This course introduces a historically rooted framework for understanding the dynamics and thresholds for spiritual growth toward contemplative union with God.
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This course introduces students to the ministry of spiritual direction as historically rooted in the desert and monastic tradition, including basic practices, dynamics and challenges.
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This course introduces students to a practical vision for the kind of life that helps form us toward the likeness of God through spiritual practices as a shared way of life.
Praxis Core (24 units)
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This course builds on students’ understanding of the passions and their own understanding of how these show in their own life, how God responds to them, and how we respond to them as spiritual directors.
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This course introduces students to the deep listening skills that form the basis for effective and discerning spiritual direction.
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This course introduces students to how spiritual directors can help guide persons into greater awareness, curiosity and contemplative reflection through thoughtful, well-discerned questions.
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This course introduces students to the ethical foundations and boundaries around the practice of spiritual direction.
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This course introduces students to the foundational principles of Ignatian discernment of interior movements, such as they’ll see in spiritual direction.
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This course builds on students’ understanding of the fundamentals of spiritual direction practice by introducing additional problems, possibilities and contexts, some of which may receive fuller treatment in elective courses.
Practica (2 units)
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As a part of their formation in spiritual direction and the contemplative life, students undergo an eight-month retreat in everyday life, featuring weekly spiritual direction, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
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As a co-requisite to PX2 and PX3, this practicum places students in one-on-one conversations with an eye toward practicing deep listening skills and reflections, allowing students to practice aspects of spiritual direction.
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As a co-requisite to PX5 and PX6, this practicum places students in real one-on-one spiritual direction conversations with individuals from their context or community.
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As a co-requisite with the Spiritual Direction Practicum, this practicum consists of 10 meetings with the student's apprenticeship guide, during each of which they'll examine one of the student's Spiritual Direction Practicum conversations together for exploration and developmental feedback.
Electives & Capstone (18 units)
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• Spiritual Direction in the Local Church
• Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction
• Journeys of Deconstructing
• Discerning Marriage & Celibacy
• Internal Family Systems and Parts Work
• Ignatian Spiritual Direction
• Spirituality of John of the Cross -
In the ASD capstone, students consult with their apprenticeship guide to craft an individual development plan to continue their personal and professional growth beyond their certification.
Apprenticeship faculty
Choose your program style:
Email Wendy Gierhart, program manager for formation and learning, with any questions.