Spiritual Direction Program Application

Spiritual Direction Program Application

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Thank you for your interest in our Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate Program. We encourage your thoughtful and reflective completion of this Admissions Application. If you need help or have questions, you are welcome to call Admissions at 510-843-1422 ext. 1 or email admissions@chaplaincyinstitute.org.

Space is limited; Because we intentionally keep our cohorts small, early submission is recommended.

Application and Intent to Enroll Fees: There is a $150 non-refundable application fee, as well as a $250 Intent to Enroll fee which will be credited towards your tuition payments upon final enrollment. We presume that the submission of your application indicates a preliminary commitment to enroll if accepted. This fee will be refunded if and only if you are not accepted into the program.

Admissions Interviews: You will be contacted within two weeks of receiving your completed application to schedule a Zoom interview.

The Application:
- Section 1 Tell Us About Yourself
- Section 2 Reflective Questions
- Section 3 Spiritual Autobiography
- Section 4 Reference Letters
Full Name*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name
Pronouns
E-mail:*
Phone Number*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Address*

Street Address

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Zip Code
Birthdate (optional)
Program Dates

Select your ideal program start date:
Spring 2026Fall 2026Spring 2027Fall 2027
Tell Us About Yourself
Education and Training
High School
Undergraduate Institution Attended (if applicable)
Undergraduate Degree Obtained/Major
Graduate Institution Attended (if applicable)
Graduate Degree/Area of Study
Other Certificates/Trainings with Dates of Completion
Vocational Experience
Are you currently ordained to ministry? If yes, in what faith tradition and/or denomination were you ordained? When?*
Do you have previous experience in religious or spiritual leadership, ministry, or chaplaincy? Describe briefly:*
Are you presently working/studying/retired/raising children, etc.? Describe briefly.*
Please upload your most recent resume/CV as an outline of your professional experience.
Current Resume/CV *

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Do you consider yourself to be an artist or creative person? If yes, please let us know more about your creative endeavors by listing and/or describing your participation in visual arts, music (either vocal or instrumental), dance, writing, etc., plus any publications or other recognitions. *
We affirm the legislation in 37 states which "bans the box", but also recognize that incarceration and/or conviction of a felony has an impact on your spiritual journey. Answering this question will not preclude your consideration. Have you ever been charged with a felony? If yes, please be ready to talk more about it in your interview.*
Do you have special needs and/or different abilities that should be known to our staff?*
Please let us know how you heard about The Chaplaincy Institute*
Reflective Questions
The following questions are designed to help our Admissions Committee understand your background, experience, call to spiritual direction, and your expectations as they relate to our program. Please answer the questions fully and with details.
What are you looking for and what do you hope to receive from this program which will assist your growth in the ministry of spiritual direction?*
What has been your experience of receiving spiritual direction? For how long have you been in direction? What in this relationship was most helpful to you? The model of spiritual direction used by the Chaplaincy Institute focuses on the experience of the divine in a person’s life. Has this been your experience in receiving direction? If not, what has been the focus?*
If you are currently serving as a spiritual director, describe the context in which you practice (spiritual community, private practice, mixed disciplines, etc.) How long have you been doing spiritual direction? What experiences affirm you in this ministry?*
If you have not been formally serving as a spiritual director, please describe experiences you have had as an informal companion in faith, spiritual counselor, or “sought-out” listener for other people— which encourages you to explore this ministry.*
What recent (past five years) theological or ministerial training you may have had, i.e., courses, training programs, workshops, lectures, etc. (Please be specific.)*
What spiritual traditions do you have experience with?*
Have you experienced trauma? [Note: this could be anything from abuse, a life-changing medical event, difficulties in your family of origin, witnessing violence, or anything that has been traumatic for you.] If so, how have you worked with the experience of trauma in your own life and/or in your work with others? Has therapy, counseling or spiritual direction been part of your healing process? What are your self-care practices when trauma gets triggered? Please summarize.*
Has addiction been part of your life experience – for yourself, your loved ones, or your family of origin? How have you worked with the experience of addiction in your own life and/or in your work with others? Has treatment, therapy or spiritual direction been part of your healing process? What are your self-care practices when addiction behaviors get triggered? Describe briefly.*
What kinds of experiences do you engage in as you pursue your own personal and spiritual growth, i.e., therapy, meditation, journaling, dream work, prayer style exploration, retreats, enneagram, spiritual focusing, etc.?*
What groups or kinds of people would you see yourself serving in the spiritual direction ministry?*
What particular strengths do you feel you bring to the ministry of spiritual direction? In what areas do you feel you most need to grow? What evidence of a call to do spiritual direction do you see in yourself?*
Spiritual Autobiography
Write a spiritual autobiography. In 5 double-spaced pages, tell us about your spiritual journey. We want to hear the story of your love affair with the Divine, including the ups and downs, wrong turns, and everything in between. Where did you start out? Where are you now? And how did you get here?

Upload your autobiography by clicking below.
Spiritual Autobiography*

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Recommendation Letters
Two (2) recommendation letters are required from individuals who are familiar with your spiritual, professional, and/or academic background.

Please send your recommenders this link https://form.jotform.com/chioffice/Recommendation

Please inform them that your application will not be reviewed until their letters are received.

All information received will be kept confidential. Please note that by submitting recommendation letters, you agree to give The Chaplaincy Institute permission to contact your references for any further clarification needed.
Please tell us who to expect Letters of Recommendation from: *
I affirm that the information I have provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.*

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Application Fee and Enrollment Fee Payment*

Spiritual Direction Application Fee

$150.00

Spiritual Direction Intent to Enroll Fee

Will be applied as a credit to your tuition

$250.00

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Total

$0.00

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Spiritual Direction Program Application

Program Dates

Tell Us About Yourself

Education and Training

Vocational Experience

Reflective Questions

Spiritual Autobiography

Recommendation Letters

Payment