School of Spiritual Direction
Certificates
Two certificates: one to train as a spiritual director, one to supervise directors already in practice.
Spiritual Direction Certificate
The Spiritual Direction Certificate (SDC) offers 4 courses, 8-weeks each, for training to work with others in direction. The SDC will prepare those already in spiritual direction to accompany others. SDC100 and SDC200 are prerequisites to acceptance to the certificate. The requirements for acceptance are successful completion of the following items:
- Successful completion of SDC100 and 200
- Completed application
- Recommendations from a student’s current spiritual director
- Recommendation from parish priest or minister
- One peer recommendation
- Group interview
Residencies
The certificate coursework is delivered online. In addition, two of the four certificate courses — SDC300 and SDC500 — each include a week-long residency that is attended in person. Residencies through Summer 2027 are held at the University’s campus in Sterling, Virginia. From Fall 2027, residencies are held at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Residency dates are set well in advance and published on the SDC Calendar. Please review those dates before you apply, so that you can plan to attend.
See the SDC Calendar →Our Frequently Asked Questions page answers the questions we hear most often.
Spiritual Director Supervisor Certificate
The Spiritual Direction Supervisor Certificate (SDSC) is offered to support active and experienced spiritual directors to serve in a supervisor capacity to other directors. This is an 8-week fully online course with a practicum component. It has the following prerequisites:
- Completion of spiritual direction training (SDC or other) – proof of certificate required
- Experience providing spiritual direction for at least 3 years or having provided at least 200 hours of direction
Questions about the School?
Not sure which course fits, or have a question about the certificates or group supervision? Reach the School directly.