Certificate in Spiritual Formation

Talbot School of Theology

Overview

The Certificate in Spiritual Formation, offered through Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation (ISF), is an introductory yet intensive program designed to assist your personal growth, to provide initial training for ministry in the local church, and to give you an opportunity to understand your giftedness to determine whether the Lord is calling you to more training and preparation for ministry.

As an introductory program, this 18-credit certificate has coursework designed to orient you to the practices of soul care and spiritual direction, including opportunities for you to experience personal spiritual direction and participate in various retreats. But unlike ISF’s master’s programs, the certificate does not include (1) actual practice in doing soul care and spiritual mentoring with others in a church or university context or (2) professional supervision from a faculty spiritual mentor regarding your practice of mentoring others.

Should you discern a call to further studies, certificate coursework may later be applied toward a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree through ISF.

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Why Pursue a Certificate at Talbot?

Study and Experience Spiritual Formation from a Trusted Program. Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation is a trusted leader among Christian seminaries in the area of spiritual formation and soul care. Through your meditation on the Word, experiential prayer projects, retreats and personal experience in spiritual direction, this program aims to nurture your relationship to Christ, cultivate growth in character and develop behavior consistent with the faith.

Be Equipped to Serve Others. Develop your understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in a believer’s life with coursework in theology, biblical studies and spiritual formation. You will be better prepared to serve others in your current ministry or church as you learn, and personally experience, spiritual direction and the ministry of soul care.

Learn from ISF’s Reputable Faculty. All the courses in your program are part of Talbot’s degree programs, meaning you will receive the same high-quality education and training from ISF’s expert faculty and professional spiritual directors, each of whom are committed to God’s Word and to equipping men and women to serve the body of Christ.

Take a “Test Drive” of a Talbot Master’s Program. Not sure whether to pursue a full degree? This certificate program gives you a taste of what Talbot’s academic degree programs can offer. Should you choose to continue, your required courses can be applied to a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity degree.

Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For full program details, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Required Courses

TTSF 521	Introduction to Christian Spirituality and Prayer
An introductory study into the nature of spiritual formation and the various ways that Christians have sought to deepen their relationship with God, with special emphasis given to the nature and practice of prayer in the Church and the Christian life. Notes: Required of all SF students. Grade Mode: A.
TTSF 524	History and Theory of Christian Soul Care and Direction
An introduction to the history and theory of spiritual soul care, mentoring and direction from a biblical, experiential and psychological perspective. Specific focus is on assisting others in deepening their relationship with God through increased sensitivity and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit's presence and work in all areas of life (including the common and ordinary). Attention is also given to understanding the personal dynamics at work within and between the guide and directee and the role of spiritual guidance within the broader context of pastoral care and mentoring as well as in the more specific discipline of spiritual direction. Notes: Required of all SF students. Grade Mode: A.
TTSF 532	Developmental Spirituality and Contemplative Prayer
An exploration of the various stages of growth involved in the believer's journey, employing both experiential and biblical data. Particular focus is given to St. John of the Cross who developed perhaps the most elaborate and influential approach to understanding the work of the Spirit in various phases of the Christian's life and how this relates to the relationship between discursive and contemplative prayer and meditation. Notes: Required of all SF students. Grade Mode: A.
TTSF 543	Personal Foundations of Spirituality and Retreat
This course focuses upon the importance of self-understanding for spiritual and emotional well-being as well as effective ministry to hurting people. It includes an investigation into the impact of personal and family history on theological outlook, emotional congruence, relational attractions and moral decisions. Several personal assessments as well as one or more therapy sessions are an integral part of this course and will require an additional fee. Notes: Required of all SF students. Grade Mode: C.
TTSF 672	Personal Retreat and Formation
Each M.A. concentration and Certificate student is required to go on one weekend retreat (Friday to Sunday) each semester for the purpose of cultivating the inner life before God (a total of four weekend retreats or two for Certificate). This is to be done in consultation with one's designated spiritual mentor and one's advisor before and after the experience. Student costs for such retreats are the responsibility of each student. The first half of this classroom course, taken early in the program (2 credits for both M.A. concentration and Certificate students), will cover theory and preparation for retreat. The second half (2 credits for M.A. concentration only), taken late in the program, and after completing the retreats, will serve to debrief and further understand the retreat process. Grade Mode: A.
TTSF 701	Spiritual Formation Seminar
Yearly required seminars are offered under this course designation which focus upon some issue, controversy or dimension in the area of spiritual formation. Notes: Required of all SF M.A. students. Grade Mode: A.

Select one course from the following:

TTSF 517	Hermeneutics and the Word in Spiritual Formation
Training in biblical interpretation and its relevance to the process and goals of spiritual formation. Emphasis is given to analysis of written communication and language usage, general rules and specialized principles for the various biblical genre, and the place of the Word of God in Christian spiritual growth from a biblical, experiential and historical perspective. Notes: Required of all SF students. Grade Mode: A.
TTTH 521	Theology I: God, Scripture, Creation
An introduction to theology and theological method. Scripture, including inspiration and inerrancy. God, including his attributes and triune nature. God's work of creation, including God's eternal plan, the angels, and providence. Notes: Required of M.Div. and M.A. students.Grade Mode: A.
TTTH 522	Theology II: Christ, Humanity, Sin, Salvation
Humanity in the image of God, including human nature, the family, and civil government. The fall and the effect of sin upon humanity. The person and work of Christ. The nature and application of salvation, including regeneration, justification, and sanctification. Notes: Required of M.Div. and M.A. students.Grade Mode: A.

Co-Curricular Requirements

See the Institute for Spiritual Formation section of the catalog for a full description.

Didactic Therapy (Recommended)
Faculty–Student Retreat

TTSF 585

Personal Spiritual Direction

Students experience their own spiritual direction for the purpose of deepening their self awareness and relationship with God and implicit training in doing direction with others. The student is encouraged to be open and honest with the spiritual guide, hiding nothing regarding one's relationship with God and, within reason, attending to the direction of the guide. Notes: Required of all SF students each semester enrolled. Grade Mode: C.

1-2 years

Standard Duration

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Total Program Credits

Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

WSCUC / ATS

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Note: Participation in the graduate programs in spiritual formation presumes a certain degree of ministry or life experience and personal maturity. This is particularly true of the M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, which is not only an academic degree, but involves applied ministry where life experience and relational skills involved in spiritual direction are crucial. It is also our aim to keep the faculty-student ratio lower than in typical seminary programs. Thus, application consideration will be based on weighing the following factors:

Ministry and life experience
Personal preparedness for a growth journey
Perception of calling and giftedness for ministry in spiritual formation and soul care

Education and GPA Requirements

You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at Biola, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester
- General: April 1
- International Students: April 1
Spring Semester
- General: October 15
- International Students: October 1

Application Steps

Complete and submit the online application
Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee
Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

Official Transcripts

Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
- Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
- Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
  - Mail transcripts to:
    Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
    13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

Three Reference Letters

Pastoral reference
Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
Reference form relating to your personal spiritual formation from the same pastor or character reference above
Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

Four Essays

Christian testimony
Essay demonstrating understanding of spiritual formation and goal of graduate study
Personal essay addressing how studying spiritual formation will impact your life
Biography of your personal spiritual development
Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
- Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
  - TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
  - IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
  - Duolingo: minimum score of 125
- A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
  - Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
  - Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
  - Official catalog verification
  - Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
- Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
- Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
  - Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
  - Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

Successful candidates are required to participate in a personal interview following the submission of their initial application

Additional Forms

“Change of Program” Form: Talbot General Change of Program Request
Additional Student Forms:
- Special Student Application
- Graduate Readmit Application

Things to Note

Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.