When you complete The Studion School for Spiritual Direction program you will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate could have various advantages in pastoral and faith-based settings.

There is no universal certification body for Spiritual Direction. However, this training program will qualify you to practice as a spiritual director in various faith communities and faith-based institutions and organizations.

The Studion offers several unique features for spiritual growth, including:
• Approximately 14 days of silent retreats based on Ignatian Exercises, facilitated by Heather Cowie, DMin, a highly experienced Protestant spiritual director in this field.
• A facilitation team with over 80 years of combined ministry and educational practice, offering a wealth of wisdom, insight, and experience. The team has consistently received high praise from participants for their teaching and facilitating skills.
• A commitment to staying current on the relationship between psychology and spirituality, including topics such as depression, desolation, and the dark night of the soul.
• A wide range of sessional topics, including a session on sexuality and spirituality, making this one of the most comprehensive spiritual direction training programs in North America.

Most of our students tell us the workload is not too burdensome, even when working full-time. You can expect reading assignments for most gatherings and 8 theological reflection papers (3-5 pages each) spread over the two years. During the second year, you’ll have practicum hours to complete on your own time. 

Our training is perfect for those who want to set up their own spiritual direction practice, but it is also extremely useful for pastors, chaplains, elders, and anyone who works in a helping role. We’ve had students tell us they apply the skills in parenting, friendships, and workplaces

When applications are open, you can apply online. The application process involves a written application, an interview, two references, and an application fee. If you’d like to be notified when we begin accepting applications for our next cohort, join our email list.

Our program consists of three courses: Knowing God and Self, Knowing the Tradition, and Knowing the Skills. We cover a comprehensive range of topics, including the relationship between spirituality and psychology, grief, discernment, stages of faith, spirituality and sexuality, and spiritual abuse. Everything we teach is designed to both foster growth in you as a person and equip you as a spiritual director.

Tuition for Cohort 6 is $9000, plus an application fee ($150) and a graduation fee ($100). Tuition is paid in three equal instalments to The King’s University and is nonrefundable

Unfortunately, tuition for The Studion does not qualify for a tax receipt

We meet in person at The Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, Alberta. 

No. Part of the experience of The Studion is being away from the routines and demands of everyday life. Our students learn, eat, and sleep at the retreat centre.

Students are expected to attend every session. Our program is designed as a whole, comprehensive learning experience. It’s therefore not possible to register for only one or two courses. 

The Studion falls under the umbrella of adult learning at King’s. While The Studion has designed the curriculum, King’s has approved it through their faculty council. All tuition payments are processed through King’s. When students successfully complete the program, they earn a certificate of completion from both The Studion and King’s. Our students walk the stage during King’s commencement ceremonies. 

Begin by checking out our spiritual director directory on the website.