Purpose

The certificate program is structured for persons seeking deeper knowledge in some particular field of theological study for personal enrichment, ministerial enhancement, further religious formation or other significant learning endeavor. These certificates may be pursued on a full or part time basis. Those obtaining a certificate may apply some credits toward a master’s degree.

Field of Study and Curriculum Requirement

Students must pass at least 18 credit hours to obtain a certificate. Academic advisement is required of all certificate students to facilitate the needs, interests, and life experience of adult learners. Each certificate has specific course requirements that are listed below. Students have three (3) years to complete the certificate curriculum.

The certificate requirements described in the following narratives are effective for students admitted/enrolled for the Fall 2010 semester.

• Carmelite Studies
  • This certificate is sponsored by the Carmelite Institute to encourage the study of the history and spirituality of the Carmelite tradition that includes exposure to many of the more famous Carmelite personages in its history. Course titles may change.

  • Course Requirements
    One or two of these courses:
    SP705	Foundations of Christian Spirituality
    SP740	Christian Spirituality through the Ages
    Two or three of these courses:
    SP793D	The Foundation Tradition: Carmel 1200-1300
    SP793E	The Reforming Tradition: Carmel 1300-1500
    EH760	Carmelites History since 1500
    Two or three of these courses:
    SP767	Therese of Lisieux
    SP768	John of the Cross
    SP794	Teresa of Avila: Mystic and Doctor

• Franciscan Theology and Spirituality
  • This certificate is sponsored by the Franciscan Center and is designed for persons seeking deeper knowledge of the Franciscan charism, its theology, history and spirituality for either personal enrichment, ministerial enhancement and/or a deepening of religious formation.

  • Course Requirements
    SP705	Foundations of Christian Spirituality (3)
    SP740	Christian Spirituality through the Ages (3)
    EH708	History of the Franciscan Movement (3)
    SP716	Writings of Francis and Clare (3)
    SY742	Themes in Bonaventure’s Theology (3)
    	Elective course (3) with special topic in Franciscan Studies, for example Franciscan intellectual tradition, Franciscan Christology, Franciscan prayer, Franciscan mysticism, Franciscan evangelical penitential movements and Franciscan art and spirituality.

  • All courses offered for this certificate use distance learning technology More on WTU's distance education initiatives...
• Spirituality Studies
  • This certificate is designed for persons who are interested in broadening their background in the area of spirituality. Studies acquaint the student with the many-faceted ways in which women and men within the Christian tradition have attempted to articulate their experience of the Holy.

  • Course Requirements
    SP705	Foundations of Christian Spirituality (3)
    EH740	Christian Spirituality through the Ages (3)
    SP774	Spirituality and Human Development (3)
    SS757	Biblical Foundations for Contemporary Spirituality (3)
    	Two Unrestricted courses (6)

  • Choices for the two elective courses may focus on a particular spirituality such as Franciscans or Carmelites and/or in the fields of moral theology, word and worship, pastoral life.
• Spiritual Direction Studies
  • This certificate is designed to support and further the development of those called to the ministry of spiritual direction. Eligibility for admission to this program is determined after an interview with the Program Director. Those with extensive experience in spiritual direction may seek permission from the Program Director to complete all program requirements in less than two (2) years. Each candidate is expected to receive regular spiritual direction and maintain a personal spiritual practice that attends to his or her relationship with God and nurtures a contemplative stance toward life and ministry. Continued peer or individual supervision is recommended and expected beyond the completion of the program.

  • Course Requirements
    SP705 or SP774	Foundations of Spirituality (3) or Spirituality and Human Development (3)
    SP780	Introduction to the Practice of Spiritual Direction (3)
    SP787	Ministerial Practicum in Spiritual Direction (6)
    SS757	Biblical Foundations for Contemporary Spirituality (3)
    	One elective (3)

• Theological Studies
  • This certificate is designed for persons seeking a broader theological understanding and personal enrichment.

  • Course Requirements

    Six (6) different elective courses from any offered

• Word and Worship
  • This certificate is designed for person engaged in liturgical ministry who wish to deepen their knowledge and enhance the various skills involved in the celebration of liturgy according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church.

  • Course Requirements
    WW500	Word and Worship (3)
    WW654	Baptism and Confirmation (3)
    WW655	Eucharist (3)
    WW506	Preaching I: Introduction to the Homily (3)
    Liturgical Focus
    WW612 or WW614	Ministry of Presiding for Ordained Ministers (3) or Lay Leadership of Public Prayer (3)
    Preaching Focus
    WW605	Preaching II: The Homily in Particular Contexts (3) or an equivalent preaching course (2)
    General Focus
    	One other course in Word and Worship (3)

• Lay Liturgy Leadership
  • This certificate is designed for the layperson engaged in ministry to the many who are unable to attend liturgy in parish settings, such as the hospitalized, those in hospice or those in criminal rehabilitation centers, etc.

  • Course Requirements
    PS515	Pastoral Care and Identity (3)
    PS711 or PS713 or PS714 or PS721	Pastoral Counseling (3) or Pastoral Care of the Elderly (3) or Death and the Pastoral Care of the Dying (3) or Pastoral Counseling for Difficult Issues (3)
    SS784	Praying and Preaching the Lectionary (3)
    WW655	Eucharist (3)
    WW614	Lay Leadership of Public Prayer (3)
    WW704	Lay Preaching (3)