Asbury Theological Seminary’s 48-hour Master of Arts in Christian Spiritual Direction prepares you with knowledge and formational practice for successfully serving as a spiritual director in service to the Christian Church. This degree equips you with a foundational knowledge of the Bible with a Wesleyan theological distinctive and a robust understanding of the ancient church vocation of spiritual direction, which some have called serving as a physician of the soul.
Whether you seek to serve in the local church, a parachurch organization, or personal ministry, the M.A. in Christian Spiritual Direction will empower you to integrate classic Christian spirituality into your own life and to encourage that spirituality in the lives of those to whom you minister. The degree will enable you to competently practice the art and discipline of Christian spiritual direction by facilitating attentiveness to the continual work of the Holy Spirit in your life and the lives of others.
What to Expect from the Degree
As you complete your degree, you’ll be able to
- Articulate the ancient biblical tradition of guiding others in Christian spiritual formation.
- Understand the essential Christian theological knowledge foundational to effective spiritual direction.
- Cultivate attentiveness to the work of the Holy Spirit in yourself and others.
- Practice giving and receiving spiritual direction in a supervised setting to gain vital experience for ministry.
- Help others hear the voice of the Holy Spirit as they seek to grow in relationship to their Lord Jesus Christ.
*Refer to the Academic Catalog for the exact wording of Program Learning Outcomes.
Admissions Requirements
- Application Form
- Accredited baccalaureate degree*
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools where at least 12 hours of coursework was completed
- Personal History Essay – 1050-1500 words (350-500 words per question)
- Share your testimony starting with how you met Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to seminary at this season in your life. Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in seminary.
- What draws you to your desired major/area of study? What is your intended outcome upon degree completion? Why is that career or ministry choice meaningful to you?
- Discuss a local, national, and/or international issue and why you are passionate about it.
- Optional: If your GPA is not a good indication of your academic ability, please explain.
- Four references (references cannot be related to applicant)
- Four references, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administrator reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.
- $50 Nonrefundable Application Fee
- For applicants whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 (79 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5
- Background check (completed by the Admissions Office)
- A personal interview may be required upon request by the Admissions Committee
*Applicants without accredited Bachelor’s degree – refer to page 28 of the Academic Catalog
Learn more about what other graduates of Asbury Seminary are doing.
The following degree plans have been approved for the 2024-25 academic year. Download the PDF below to see a full listing of all your degree requirements.