The department is also home to the Ignatian Spirituality Institute (ISI), which offers an educational program for the training of spiritual directors in the tradition of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola.  It is ideally suited to those interested in the ministry of spiritual direction and/or retreat work.  More generally, the ISI offers adult Christians of any denomination theological and spiritual tools for deepening Christian life and ministry, whether in the home, parish, congregation, or workplace.  Since the ISI is an affiliate program of the Department of Religious Studies, all of its courses are conducted at John Carroll University.

The ISI is a non-credit, non-degree certificate program running concurrently with the fall-spring academic calendar at the University.  It is designed around three areas of study: theology/scripture, spirituality, and psychology/communication skills.  Year I is academically focused, with classes meeting twice a month in the evenings along with occasional weekend workshops.  Year II is focused on the supervised practicum in spiritual direction.

Requirements for admission include official transcripts from all institutions attended, a written spiritual autobiography, three letters of recommendation, a record of education and work history, and an interview with the ISI Admissions Committee.  Generally it is expected that ISI candidates will have completed a college degree, have several years of steady work and a variety of life experiences.  The ISI Admissions Committee may make exceptions to these general criteria.

The ISI is endowed by a grant from the F. J. O’Neill Charitable Corporation and by gifts from other generous donors.

For further information, contact the Ignatian Spirituality Institute office at (216) 397-1599.  Director: Dr. Joan Nuth, Department of Religious Studies.