✵ Fall —June 30 ✵ Winter —November 30 ✵ Spring— November 30 ✵ Summer — April 30
Program Details
36 Credit Hours
2 Years
Online & In-Person
The Masters of Arts in Spirituality equips students to draw on the deep wells of the Christian spiritual tradition in order to respond faithfully and creatively to the spiritual needs and concerns of contemporary communities. Through coursework and peer-to-peer learning, students develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of diverse historic and contemporary expressions of Christian spirituality, as well as consider the relationship between spirituality and areas of practical concern, including social justice and advocacy, pastoral and public leadership, intercultural ministry, and spiritual care. Courses may be taken full-time or part-time and face-to-face or online.
Program Goals / Student Learning Outcomes
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The Master of Arts in Spirituality provides students with an in-depth understanding of Christian spirituality, with an emphasis on classical and contemporary spiritual traditions, so that they can creatively and faithfully respond to the spiritual needs and concerns of contemporary communities.
This degree enhances students’ abilities to lead and accompany others on their spiritual journeys and provides opportunities to integrate insights from the Christian spiritual tradition into their personal spiritual lives. Graduates of the program serve as leaders and valuable resources in a variety of vocational settings: renewal and retreat centers, parish and ecclesial ministries, counseling and social work settings, as well as other spirituality-related faith formation and educational programs.
Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to:
Present a summary overview of major historical periods within the history of Christian spirituality by identifying major spiritual movements, significant figures, and relevant literature.
Demonstrate proficiency in at least one classical school of spirituality.
Evaluate instances of Christian religious experience and dynamics of interior transformation as understood within the Christian mystical tradition.
Demonstrate an understanding of various spiritual practices and traditions of spiritual accompaniment, including contemplation and meditation, spiritual direction, spiritual care, and Christian spiritual formation.
Describe and evaluate culturally and geographically expressions of Christian spirituality, with special attention to Hispanic influences.
Compare the Christian spiritual tradition with other major historical religious traditions Integrate fundamental principles and insights from the various streams of the Christian spiritual tradition into one’s personal spiritual journey
Curriculum & Degree Requirements
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The candidate can expect to complete the 36-credit program as a full-time student in two to two and a half years. A part-time student can expect the program to take three to four years. No more than twelve (12) graduate-level (MA) credit hours may be transferred into the program from another institution toward the degree.
A student will be required to complete a final thesis or integrative project to demonstrate the level to which the goals of the program have been achieved.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for all courses applicable to the degree.
RW 6100 MA Pro Seminar
TS 7369 An Overview of the History of Christian Spirituality
TS 7371 Classical Christian Writers I
TS 7373 Classical Christian Writers II
TS 7365 Reading Religious Experience and the Discernment of Spirits
TS 7376 Biblical Foundations of Spirituality
TS 7370 Fundamental Principles of Spiritual Direction (or)
TS 7370 Integration of Psychology and Spirituality
Care of the Soul
Contemporary Mystics: Henri Nouwen, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Daniel Berrigan, and Wendy Beckett
Contemporary Spirituality
Calling, Vocation, and Discernment
Desert Spirituality
Franciscan Spirituality: From God, to God, Through Christ ‣ French Spirituality
G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and the Christian Imagination
Howard Thurman: Mysticism and Prophetic Witness
Intercultural Spirituality and Global Healing: Exploring 20th Century Contemplatives
Ignatian Spirituality
Insane for the Light: Spirituality of Aging and Dying
John of the Cross: The Ascent of Mt. Carmel and the Dark Night
John of the Cross: Living Flame of Love
Love is God’s Meaning: The Writings of Julian of Norwich
Medieval Women Mystics
Mysticism
Practices for the Inner Journey: Contemplation, Christian Meditation, Centering Prayer, and Mindfulness
Salesian Spirituality
Spanish Mystics, Biblical Interpretation, and Song of Songs
Spirituality and Justice
Spirituality and Thought of Thomas Merton
Spirituality and Thought of Henri Nouwen
Spirituality and the Two Halves of Life
Spiritual Autobiography
Teresa of Avila: Doctor of the Soul
Teresian Carmelite Spirituality
The Contemporary Spirituality of Thomas Merton: On Racism, Violence, and Justice
A Way in the World: The Spiritual Path of Family and Friendship
Thesis
TS 9276 Research and Proposal Writing
TS 9377 MA (Spirituality) Thesis
Integrative Project
TS 9276 Integrative Seminar
TS 9377 MA (Spirituality) Integrative Project
Total 36 credit hours
Tuition / Fees
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Fee Type
Cost
Notes
Credit
$885 per credit hour
Graduate Course Challenge Fee 20% of applicable
tuition rate per credit hour
Audit/Non-Credit
$445 per credit hour
Mandatory Fees (Per Semester)
Registration Fee
$60
Per semester
Comprehensive Semester Fee (1-5 credit hours)
$325
Includes Activity, Library, and Tech fees
Comprehensive Semester Fee (more than 5 credit hours)
$495
Includes Activity, Library, and Tech fees
One-Time Fees
Matriculation Fee
$80
Credit only
eTextbook Bundle Tool Fee
$35
One-time fee
Degree-Specific Fees
Master's Practicum Fee
$320
Textbook Fee
$60
Cost is per course and up to 4 resources
Continuation Fee (first two semesters)
$150
Per semester
Continuation Fee (after two semesters)
$435
Per semester
Graduation Fee
$270
Non-refundable
Dual Degree Fee
$295
Per semester
Additional Fees (As Applicable)
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
$85
Per CEU
Graduate Course Challenge Fee
20% of tuition rate
Per credit hour
Certificate Only Fee
$70
International Students Processing Fee
$105
Important: Please consult the OST Catalog for payment and refund policies. Additional financial information is available at www.ost.edu. OST reserves the right to change tuition and fee rates at any time.
See the Admissions & Registrations section of the OST Catalog or visit the Apply page for a full outline of Admission Requirements.
This program is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing sustained academic study within the discipline of Christian spirituality. Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Completion of the GRE will be required to ensure that the student has the aptitude for graduate studies. The GRE requirement is waived for students who already have a master’s degree. Prerequisites include the completion of 9 hours of undergraduate theology and 9 hours of undergraduate philosophy. Applicants must submit three letters of reference indicating that the applicant has the requisite qualities necessary to complete the degree.
