Master of Interfaith / Interspiritual Divinity degree

Prepare for a career in spiritual counseling, chaplaincy, or interfaith ministry.

This course not only prepares students who feel called to a life of service and to be a vital part of the positive change we all so deeply desire in this world, but it also encourages deep personal spiritual growth, providing stimulating intellectual nourishment along the way.

Some of our students choose to do the program to simply immerse themselves in the study of world traditions and spiritual advancements for personal growth, or to cultivate a targeted ministry. All have opportunity for ordination as Interfaith Ministers. All Paths will work with each student to help shape their vision. There are many arenas to serve the community in interfaith/interspiritual ministry, or chaplaincy, and this can be in religious or secular venues, advocacy, activism, prison work, hospital work, teaching, counseling, conflict resolution, healing, writing, speaking, and other related fields of service.

Students who desire to become a board-certified professional chaplain need to complete additional clinical pastoral education units (CPE/T) through CPSP – College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. Find out more at www.cpspdirectory.org

The Master of Divinity program requires the student complete no less than 72 credits. A minimum of 20 courses from the Ministry curriculum, plus three electives, and three practicums.

Learning Objectives

As the curriculum covers such a vast area of study, we do not expect our students to be experts in these areas. Rather, we will have considered our program successful if our students develop the desire to continue with their research and deepen their studies on an ongoing basis, even beyond their time as All Paths students.

Upon completing their program Master of Divinity graduates will be able to:

1. Define their personal approach to ministry.

2. To develop spiritual literacy.

3. Articulate an understanding of religious and inter-spiritual issues which affect both interfaith/inter-spiritual communities and human beings in general.

4. Identify skill-sets and models of leadership which can serve as templates for developing their ministry and/or achieving their goals of service.

5. Have started a portfolio of related projects which demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply their learning within focused parameters or for specific audiences.

6. Demonstrate the ability to think and communicate critically about matters of ministry, theology, and religious/spiritual studies.

7. Define the essentials of spiritual counseling and be able to responsibly assess client needs and realistically address them.

8. Counsel people of diverse cultural backgrounds in ways which honor their unique traditions.

9. Recognize when to conclude intervention and when to refer clients to a more specialized third-party form of counseling.

10. Articulate the theories and best practices of Professional Chaplaincy as a specialized ministry.

11. Demonstrate an understanding of several essential sacred texts in terms of both historical and contemporary relevance; with the ability to authoritatively officiate in public ceremonies and ritual.

12. Have the vocabulary to clearly articulate how their own theological/religious/spiritual beliefs compare and contrast to other religious/spiritual traditions.

13. Facilitate multiple interfaith exercises/practices designed to engage people in meaningful dialogue across faith/spiritual traditions.

14. Develop a basic understanding of how to help manage a small nonprofit organization or start their own.

15.  Open up to new ways of understanding spirituality and religious traditions, enriching both their inner and outer life.

16.  Our students will be ordained as All Paths Interfaith Ministers and have the opportunity to open up a chapter of All Paths Spiritual Community/Universal Temple in their geographical area.

17. All Paths students will also have the opportunity for ordination as an interfaith minister.

Program Pricing

See the table below for the cost of each program. 12-month payment plans are available, but there is a substantial savings when full tuition is paid up front.

For each program, attendance at one retreat is required. The cost is approximately $800, which includes tuition, travel, and accommodation.