Application

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program Application

 

Application for Admission - SDC

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NATURE OF THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION CERTIFICATE at DIVINE MERCY UNIVERSITY 


Students who fulfill all program completion requirements receive a Certificate of Completion. This Certificate is a declaration that the student has successfully completed the course of training, which includes content, skills mastery, and supervised practicum. Spiritual direction, unlike clinical professions such as psychology, counseling, or social work, does not have an officially recognized licensing board that acts as a legal and ethical gateway to the spiritual direction “profession”. It is a Christian ministry and a professionally unregulated field. Consequently, obtaining the Certificate of Completion does not mean that students automatically become an officially recognized Catholic or Christian Spiritual Director. It does mean that the student who has successfully concluded the program has attained the sufficient mastery of content, interpersonal skills, and initial spiritual direction practice that could be reasonably expected for someone beginning ministry as a spiritual director.


Each Church, diocese, parish, religious order, congregation, or other Church entity might have specific oversight and requirements for spiritual directors who wish to exercise within their ecclesiastical boundaries or jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to be in touch with their local pastors or faith community leaders regarding their participation in the program and inform themselves about any local church requirements.


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS


In order to be considered for admission into the Spiritual Direction Certificate (SDC) at Divine Mercy University, you must fulfill the following admissions requirements:


  1. Complete the online application including the $25 application fee.

  2. Respond to the personal statement items in the email you receive immediately following your application submission.  You must submit the personal statements in order for your application to be considered complete. 

  3. Request a recommendation from your faith leader, pastor, or priest. Send that person this link to the recommendation form: Priest/Pastor/Faith Leader Recommendation Form.

  4. An admissions representative will contact you upon receipt of your application and to set up an interview time with you.



TERM DATES & APPLICATION DEADLINES


The Spiritual Direction Certificate has three start dates each academic year: August, January and May. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the deadlines as published herein. 


Term dates and deadlines for 2026: 


Spring Term:  January 7, 2026 - March 3, 2026

Deadline for applications: October 31, 2025


Summer Term: May 20, 2026 - July 14, 2026

Deadline for applications: March 13, 2026 


Fall Term: August 20, 2026 - October 14, 2026

Deadline for applications: June 19, 2026


Applicants seeking admission to the certificate after the published final deadline has passed should contact Maria Brackett, the program director, at  mbrackett@divinemercy.edu for further assistance and to inquire if additional spaces may still be available.  


Note that seating is limited and cohorts may fill to capacity prior to published deadlines. 


NOTE:  This is a two-part application!  
 
Once you have completed *all* required fields in Part I, including the payment section, you will receive an email with the link to Part II which includes the required essays and resume upload instructions.


I. Personal Information

Present Mailing Address

Permanent Mailing Address

Telephone Numbers
Message and Data Rates may apply. You can STOP messaging by replying STOP and get more help by sending HELP.
Note: DMU may contact applicants via text.

Location to be considered 'home'

Most Recent Employment

II. Enrollment Information
III. How did you hear about Divine Mercy University?
Please supply supporting information so we better understand the source(s) where you discovered DMU. For example, please give the name of specific conference attended, career fair location, name of parish/church or pastoral connection to DMU, location of advertisement, name of alumnus or personal friend, etc. This information, in specificity, greatly assists with our marketing and outreach efforts.

Thank you for your contribution.

IV. Academic Experience
High School Information
Academic Institution 1
Academic Institution 2
Academic Institution 3
Academic Institution 4

V. Recommendations
For admission into tier one of the Spiritual Direction Certificate program, applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s pastor or minister. The Applicant is responsible for providing the Recommender with the link to the form and ensuring the completion of the form. Please note entering the Recommender's information below will not automate any form of email to them.

Pastor or Minister
Recommender has known the applicant for
years as (check all that apply):

VI. Personal Background Questions

This section asks questions related to your personal background. Each question in this section must be answered.
VIII. Payment
Payment Information
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Contact Information