THE DIVINITY SCHOOL at WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
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Graduate Certificate Program in Spirituality and Health
The Wake Forest University School of Divinity, in collaboration with the School of Medicine and the Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education of the Baptist Medical Center, offers an interdisciplinary certificate program for students already enrolled in the Schools of Divinity and Medicine.
This program is intended to promote interdisciplinary care, which recognizes and respects personal and communal spirituality and ethics as essential to well being and quality of life by exploring three primary areas in a five-course certificate program of study:
Curriculum
Two Core courses (6 hours):
Foundation course (3 hours): CDS 501, "Religious Traditions, Spiritual Practices, Beliefs, and Health Professions"
Ethics course (3 hours): CDS 601, "Spirituality, Religion, and Clinical Medical Ethics"
One elective course (3 hours): Elective courses may be taken through the existing School of Divinity curriculum in a variety of biblical, historical, theological, and ministry studies or might include studies in Addictions, End of Life Concerns, and Health Ministries in Religious Communities.
One clinical course (3 hours)*: A clinical experience that focuses on the integration of spirituality and health requiring the following components:
This course may be coordinated with the Medical Students Clinical Practice Experience (CPE).
Research project/or Specialized clinical (3 hours)*: (1) Experiential Learning/On-site Observation in Travel Courses (Appalachia, New York City) and/or International Experiences (Cuba, Romania, Cairo, etc); or (2) Research project to include, for example plans or pilot programs for congregations and community agencies; community surveys for health needs, or research for specific concerns of medicine and spirituality, such as addiction, sexual, or other health matters.
These courses will be similar to the design of the existing School of Divinity Art of Ministry III components: "Wisdom Work/an integrative process is designed to be integrative of the degree's course material and to provide graduating students with tools for thinking theologically about future vocational options. . ." (School of Divinity, Bulletin 2007-2008, 29).
Master of Divinity students become eligible for a "certificate" in Spirituality and Health by completing the following 18 credit hours:
| 2 core courses in the certificate program: | 6 credit hours |
| 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education | 6 credit hours |
| Electives (of which one can be the senior project) | 6 credit hours |
Admissions
Students from the School of Medicine and the School of Divinity must apply by filling out an application and submitting it to the Office of Admissions of the Divinity School, PO Box 7719.
Tuition
Course fee will be $575 per hour of credit payable to the School of Divinity.
Benefits of the Program
Spirituality and Health is a relatively new discipline of study, emerging over the last twenty years. Approximately 80% of medical schools in the United States now have courses in spirituality. Many hospitals also have patient-centered spirituality programs. Research and experience teach us that spirituality is one of many aspects contributing to good health.
The School of Divinity, in close association with the Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, is equipped to provide the resources needed to develop and implement this interdisciplinary program that will benefit the School of Medicine, the School of Divinity, and the greater University.
Founded by leaders who understood the need for theological understanding and medical practice, this interdisciplinary vision became a reality in 1902 when the Medical School was formed. This Graduate Certificate Program, sponsored by the Schools of Medicine and Divinity, continues the vision of the founding leaders of the University.
The certificate program features courses in both theory and praxis, with special emphasis on what is learned as well as the well being of the learner, and provides excellent resources for learning by the larger University community.
The proposed Graduate Certificate Program in Spirituality and Health meets a well-documented need.
Medical schools students are interested in learning more about the intersections between spirituality and medicine. Divinity students, likewise, are interested in exploring issues of body and spirit, suffering and healing, as well as concerns of health care policies and social justice. This program provides classroom instruction, clinical experience, and integrated learning that will connects matters of the heart and body, science and faith, and practice and social policy.
If you have questions about this program, contact Mark Jensen or call (336)758-5461
