Alternative Healthcare, Intuitive Counseling Education, Spirituality Studies

Track: Spiritual Direction

SPECIAL EMPHASIS TRACK: SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Program Director: Reverend Gary Simmons, ThD

Rev. Dr. Gary Simmons is a renowned peacemaker and spiritual leader whose teachings and ground-breaking Integral Model of Ministry are transforming church organizations and helping church leaders to more fully express their Divine calling, energize their spiritual communities and expand their capacity to carry out their mission with greater integrity and congruence. As the Assistant Vice President of Integral Operations, Dr. Simmons served the Association of Unity Churches International for three years, during which time he was instrumental in creating The Transformation Experience-a whole-system church growth and development approach. He was the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Myrtle Fillmore Award. Dr. Simmons holds a fourth-degree black belt in the martial art of tae kwon-do.

With studies focused on enhancing spiritual connection and spiritual integration in self, others and groups, this Track prepares students to offer consultations and education as Ecumenical Spiritual Directors. (R) Indicates there is a required Residency component, (D) indicates All-Distance Learning. (OpRes) Indicates the choice for a Residency plus Distance Learning OR All-Distance learning.

(D) indicates All-Distance Learning. (R) Indicates a required Residency plus Distance Learning.

CERTIFICATE LEVEL I: Choose any 5 of the following courses: 15 credit hours
CERTIFICATE LEVEL II: Complete the other 5 courses: 15 credit hours

710 Literature Survey (D) Core course Oliver London
731 Inner Counselor (R) Fall Core course Ann Nunley, PhD, and Bob Nunley, PhD
752 Mysticism – Ancient to New Thought (D), Teri and Benjamin Martin & Bob Nunley, PhD or
757 Holistic Theology (D) Core course Oliver London, PhD
842 Personal Intuition (D) Marcia Emery, PhD
865 Perspectives in Transpersonal Psychology (D) Patricia Norris, PhD
884 Principles of Spiritual Direction (D) Noel Kilgarriff, PsyD
886 Pastoral Spiritual Counseling (D) Noel Kilgarriff, PsyD
887 Sacred Ceremonies and Celebrations (R) Fall, Rev. Jane Simmons, ThD
889 Peacemaking and the Integral Model of Ministry (D) Rev. Gary Simmons, ThD

NOTE: Certificate students applying for the Masters Program will be bound by the Masters Requirements in place during the semester in which they are accepted into the Masters Program.

Certificate students admitted to the Masters Degree Program must begin their program by enrolling in and attending 701- ORP. During this orientation, students will choose one of three options for completing the Masters Degree with a Special Emphasis in Spiritual Direction:

Option I – Additional Courses: Complete 701-ORP (1 credit hour) and Two Additional Elective Courses (6 credit hours) (37 credit hours).
Option II – Masters Essays: Complete 701 – ORP (1 credit hour) and 790-Master’s Essays and Exam (6 credit hours); Instructors: Chair and Committee (37 credit hours)
Option III – Basic Research Masters: Complete 701-ORP (1 credit hour) and 780-Research & Thesis (6 credit hours); Instructors: Chair and Committee.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS: There are four Core Doctoral courses (12 credit hours-bolded) included in the first 30 hours of this Track. A Doctorate with a Special Emphasis in Spiritual Direction requires the standard 61 credit hours.