Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction
(Online Cohort)
A flexible training program tailored to your life and learning context
Our uniquely designed Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction (ASD) online cohort option 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.
Receive individual mentorship while in a supportive learning community.
Train fully online, with flexible scheduling, over two to three years.
Tailor your learning to your vocation with elective modules.
Individually paced program distinctives
The Order of the Common Life’s onine apprenticeship in spiritual direction cohort offers a hybrid mentorship-driven training model supported by a cohort community that journeys alongside you.
Individual mentorship: Between cohort each cohort discussion, meet 1:1 with a dedicated mentor to deepen and personalize your learning.
Customized learning: Chose from elective modules like Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction, Discerning Marriage & Celibacy, IFS & Parts Work, and more.
Fully online: Complete your program with no residency requirement.
Time commitments
For most of the ASD cohort program, participants can expect:
Video content, readings, reflection and assignments (4-6 hours weekly)
1:1 mentor meetings (1 hour monthly)
Cohort meetings (1½ hours monthly)
Receiving spiritual direction (1 hour monthly)
Additional time commitments are introduced for during their Year Two Spiritual Exercises retreat and practica. (See “Curriculum” below.)
Entry requirements
Prior to applying, ASD participants 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
ASD features a three-year curriculum consisting of monthly cohort meetings, monthly 1:1s, and biannual on-site retreats and intensives. Year One lays a theological foundation for the practice of Christian spiritual direction as pastoral care of the soul. Year Two deepens students’ formation through an eight-month retreat with weekly spiritual direction. Year Three develops practical skills for spiritual direction through coursework and supervised practice.
Year One
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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.
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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.
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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.
Year Two
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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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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.
Year Three
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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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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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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.
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As a co-requisite to PX5 and PX6, this practicum places students in at least 20 real one-on-one spiritual direction conversations.
Students will also meet with their apprenticeship guide for 10 hours of “supervision,” reviewing select practice sessions together for exploration and developmental feedback.
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Choose four. Examples include:
• 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.
Cost
The three-year tuition for the online ASD cohort starting fall 2025 is $6,500, including both instruction and weekly spiritual direction throughout the Year Two Spiritual Exercises retreat.
Year One: $2,350
Year Two: $1,800
Year Three: $2,350
The cost of books and monthly spiritual direction through Year One and Three are not included.
Apprenticeship faculty
How to apply
Applications are open year-round for both self-paced learning and fall online cohorts. Email Br. Brian, director of formation and learning, with any questions.