Graduate Certificate 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:

• Relationship of spirituality and healing
• Interaction of faith communities and issues of health care
• Spirituality, religious ethics, and health care policy curriculum

Two core courses (6h):
Foundation course (3h): CDS 501, Religious Traditions, Spiritual Practices, Beliefs, and Health Professions

Ethics course (3h): CDS 601, Spirituality, Religion, and Clinical Medical Ethics

One elective course (3h)
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 (3h)
A clinical experience that focuses on the integration of spirituality and health requiring the following components:

• Structured process of reflection and evaluation
• Qualified mentor or supervisor
• Course assignments and requirements

This course may be coordinated with the Medical Students Clinical Practice Experience (CPE).

Research project/or specialized clinical (3h):
Experiential Learning/On-site Observation in Travel Courses (Appalachia, New York City) and/or International Experiences (Cuba, Romania, Cairo, etc); or

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.

Research courses will be similar to the design of the existing School of Divinity Art of Ministry III components: Wisdom Work is an integrative process designed to be integrative of the degree’s course material and to provide graduating students with tools for thinking theologically about future vocational options.

Master of Divinity students become eligible for a certificate in Spirituality and Health by completing the following 18 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 School of Divinity, PO Box 7719, Winston-Salem, NC 27109.