A sacred space for deepening the art of spiritual direction
for seasoned practice and faithful ministry.
Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction
FLEXIBLE PROGRAM
“This certificate was taught with high quality instruction that incorporated visuals, art, music, spiritual direction exercises as well as teaching that reflected a scholarly breadth of understanding and insight into both historical and current Christianity. I’d recommend this program for anyone interested in gaining a solid introduction into ancient-contemporary Christianity, and grasping something of how our orthopraxy and orthodoxy can fit even better together! Emmaus is a beautiful gift to believers and churches.”
NAOMI JOHNSON
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
This two-year, flexible online program is designed for experienced directors who sense a call to continued growth and deepening in their ministry of soul care. Rooted in ongoing formation and supervised practice, this pathway provides a structured yet spacious environment for seasoned practitioners to integrate wisdom, reflection, and embodied ministry over time.
THE INVITATION
This program affirms a commitment to sustained excellence and vocational maturity. It is designed for those who have already completed foundational training and wish to further refine their attentiveness to the Spirit, supporting their growth as they navigate the complexities of long-term accompaniment.
A LIFE SHAPED BY WISDOM AND DEPTH
Our goal is to support directors in the "long obedience" of their calling. Graduates emerge with a matured presence, a refined discernment of the soul’s movements, and a deep-seated integrity. This experience equips you to stay vital in your ministry, ensuring your work remains grounded in your own ongoing union with Christ.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Who This Program Is For
The Advanced Certificate is intended for individuals who have completed the Emmaus Certificate in Spiritual Direction or an equivalent two-year, part-time spiritual direction training program. Applicants are practicing spiritual directors who desire to:
deepen their capacity for soul care and spiritual accompaniment
engage thoughtfully with current conversations in spiritual direction
reflect critically and prayerfully on their own practice
remain rooted in supervision, accountability, and community
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction is to encourage lifelong formation and continuing education for spiritual directors. The program creates a sacred container for advanced learning, discernment, and integration—honouring spiritual direction as a living, evolving practice that requires ongoing attentiveness to God, self, and others.
Participants are invited to deepen their theological grounding, refine their practice, and articulate their learning through reflection, writing, and shared conversation within the Emmaus community.
Program Overview
The Advanced Certificate is an online, two-year, self-paced program that integrates learning, practice, supervision, and reflection. Participants select a focused area of interest within spiritual direction and explore it in depth through continuing education, reading, and lived practice. The program emphasizes four key areas of development:
01 Advanced Soul Care and Formation
Deepening one’s own spiritual life and capacity for presence as the foundation of all spiritual direction.
02 Ongoing Practice and Supervision
Remaining grounded in regular spiritual direction practice and supervision (individual or peer), fostering accountability, discernment, and growth.
03 Integration of Theory and Practice
Engaging learning not as abstract knowledge, but as embodied wisdom that shapes real encounters with others.
04 Reflection and Articulation
Writing, presentation, and conversation that help participants integrate and articulate their learning for the sake of the wider community.
Join Us for a Preview Event
This online gathering is a welcoming space to meet faculty, alumni, students, and staff; learn more about our certificate programs; and ask any questions you may have as you discern your next step.
Please complete the form below to submit your registration, and we look forward to meeting you online soon!
What to Expect
Program Requirements
Participants in the Advanced Certificate are expected to engage fully in the following over the course of the program:
Admission to the Advanced Certificate (graduation from a two-year spiritual direction training program is required; up to 10 hours of prior continuing education may be applied)
An initial one-on-one meeting with the Director of Education to discern learning goals
40 hours of Emmaus Continuing Education sessions, with up to 10 hours permitted from related professional or ministerial events
Ongoing supervision (individual or peer group), with annual confirmation submitted
Documentation of 30 hours of spiritual direction practice per year
An annual report on ongoing supervision and practice
A 15-page (3,500–4,000 word) reflective paper integrating learning and practice
An individual meeting with the Director of Education to discuss the paper and insights
A presentation of learnings shared with the Emmaus community
Active membership in the Emmaus Society of Spiritual Directors throughout enrollment
Program Fees
Application Fee: $100 (one-time, non-refundable)
Enrollment Fee: $500 per term
Note: Thanks to the support of the Emmaus General Fund, program fees are subsidized to make this formation accessible to all who wish to deepen their spiritual life and practice of spiritual direction.
Important Dates
Preview Event: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Student Orientation (Fall 2026): Saturday, August 24, 2026
Semester Timeline
Fall Semester: September—December
Winter Semester: January—March
Spring Semester: April—June
Additional Questions
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Emmaus Certificate Programs
Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Certificate in Spiritual Direction
