Course Listing by Semester

IMCA 600 • principles of prayer & catholic spirituality 

Taught by Dr. John Gresham
Thursday evenings 6:30PM-9:00PM EST • 2 credits

This course covers stages of spiritual development including the traditional three ways-- purgative, illuminative and unitive. The course also explores the developments in personal prayer, including vocal prayer, meditation, contemplation. Since all prayer in the Catholic Christian tradition is Trinitarian, students will learn about the personal relationships that are possible with the three Persons of the Trinity. Since all prayer in the Catholic Christian tradition is also Incarnational, the humanity of the one who prays is also brought up into those relationships. Lastly, students in the course will learn to identify mis-directions in prayer and false mysticism. 

IMCA 610 • creed: I believe! we Believe!

Taught by Vincent Reilly
Thursday evenings 8:00PM-9:15PM EST • 2 credits 

This course will assist participants to come to a knowledge of the major doctrines as contained in the Creed and an understanding of the basics of the Catholic faith, with a common vocabulary and unified vision of the whole of the Catholic heritage. Students will explore and appreciate the meaning of faith at a personal and affective level and work to understand his/her own role in the Church; as well as special focus on the topics of Christology and Ecclesiology from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

IMCA 632: Overview of the New Testament 

Taught by Fr. Patrick Cronauer
Thursday evenings 6:30PM-7:45PM EST • 2 credits

This course introduces the books, historical contexts, and central theological themes of the New Testament, with particular attention to the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and Catholic Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. Emphasizing the primacy of the kerygma, the course explores the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the formation of the early Christian communities. In light of Dei Verbum and the Directory for Catechesis, the course presents Catholic approaches to interpreting the New Testament, highlighting the unity of Scripture and Tradition and the Church as the authentic interpreter of the Word of God. Attention is given to the formation of the New Testament canon and the development of the Church’s lectionary, demonstrating how Scripture is received, proclaimed, and celebrated within the liturgical life of the Church.

IMSD 600 • Principles of prayer & Catholic spirituality

Taught by Fr. Cassian Edwards
Tuesday evenings 6:30PM-9:00PM EST • 3 credits 

Spiritual directors must become experts at prayer. While having their own personal spiritualities, they must have a broad understanding of the spiritual tradition of the Catholic Church. This course introduces the student to that broad tradition. Topics include stages of spiritual development; vocal prayer, meditation, contemplation; personal relationship with three Persons of Trinity; identifying misdirections in prayer and false mysticism 

IMSD 600 • principles of prayer & catholic spirituality 

Taught by Dr. John Gresham
Thursday evenings 6:30PM-9:00PM EST • 2 credits

This course covers stages of spiritual development including the traditional three ways-- purgative, illuminative and unitive. The course also explores the developments in personal prayer, including vocal prayer, meditation, contemplation. Since all prayer in the Catholic Christian tradition is Trinitarian, students will learn about the personal relationships that are possible with the three Persons of the Trinity. Since all prayer in the Catholic Christian tradition is also Incarnational, the humanity of the one who prays is also brought up into those relationships. Lastly, students in the course will learn to identify mis-directions in prayer and false mysticism. 

IMSD 601 • spiritual direction1: art of accompaniment 

Taught by Bishop William Waltersheid
Thursdays 6:30PM-8:15PM EST •  2 credits 

The need for spiritual direction—or the accompaniment of a spiritual guide—is becoming more prominent in a world where so many are suffering from so many wounds. This course is at the heart of the spiritual direction program and forms students in the interior life, Christian anthropology, the importance and dynamics of vulnerability, a vulnerable listening that reveals and heals, basic psychological insights for spiritual direction. 

IMSD 601 • spiritual direction1: art of accompaniment 

Taught by Fr. Justin Matro
Wednesday 6:30PM-8:15PM EST •  2 credits 

The need for spiritual direction—or the accompaniment of a spiritual guide—is becoming more prominent in a world where so many are suffering from so many wounds. This course is at the heart of the spiritual direction program and forms students in the interior life, Christian anthropology, the importance and dynamics of vulnerability, a vulnerable listening that reveals and heals, basic psychological insights for spiritual direction. 

IMSD 630 • praying sacred scripture

Taught by Fr. Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B.
Thursday evenings 6:30PM-9:00PM EST • 3 credits 

This course addresses the ancient practice of praying with Sacred Scripture, traditionally known as Lectio Divina or “Sacred Reading.” To properly set the stage, the topics of divine revelation, literary and historical context of sacred texts, and the arc of salvation history are covered. 

IMSD 660 • moral theology for spiritual directors 

Taught by Joel Johnson
Wednesday evenings 6:30PM-8:15PM EST • 2 credits

Spiritual directors are called to help Christians grow in holiness, which can be described as heroic virtue. In this course, students will learn principles and applications of moral theology, particularly in virtue-ethics approach, with a special focus on the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Part III, that will assist them as spiritual directors to help their directees grow in the Christian life. 

IMSD 660 • moral theology for spiritual directors 

Taught by Dr. Michel Therrien
Tuesday evenings 6:30PM-8:15PM EST • 2 credits

Spiritual directors are called to help Christians grow in holiness, which can be described as heroic virtue. In this course, students will learn principles and applications of moral theology, particularly in virtue-ethics approach, with a special focus on the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Part III, that will assist them as spiritual directors to help their directees grow in the Christian life. 

IMSD 696 • directed retreat

Taught by Dr. Helene Paharik
By arrangement • 0 credits

A directed retreat of at least 8 days or the Ignatian 19th Annotation.

IMSD 697 • practicum in spiritual direction 1

Taught by Fr. Edward Cassian 
By arrangement • 1 credit

This practicum enables students to learn and practice the art of spiritual direction under the supervision of a mentor. 

IMTH 700 • fundamental theology

Taught by Fr. Edward Mazich. O.S.B.
Tuesdays 6:30PM-8:15PM EST • 2 credits

This course is a study of the character, methodology, and significance of theological knowledge, specifically of Christian revelation. The first part of the course treats revelation, understood as the fundamental concept of theology—the “science of faith”, as well as the transmission of revelation in the life of the Church. The second part of the course focuses on the attempt of Fundamental theology to demonstrate how Christian revelation is credible theologically, historically, and anthropologically, for the modern man and woman. The course will analyze man’s openness to revelation; the relationship between faith and reason; Christology as the foundation of fundamental theology; and the place and the credibility of the Church in handing on revelation. 

IMth 733 • trinity

Taught by Fr. Edward Mazich, O.S.B.
Thursdays 6:30PM-8:15PM EST • 2 credits 

This course offers a focused theological introduction to the mystery of the Holy Trinity as the central truth of Christian faith and life, approached through the lenses of Sacred Scripture and Fundamental Theology. Drawing on biblical revelation, the development of doctrine, and key magisterial texts, students will examine how the Church confesses God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in response to God’s self-disclosure in salvation history. Attention is given to the relationship between Scripture, Tradition, and the rule of faith, as well as to the credibility and intelligibility of Trinitarian doctrine for contemporary ministry. 

IMPC 600 • foundations of counseling 

Taught by Dr. David Gosling
Wednesdays 6:30PM-9PM EST • 3 credits

Introduces students to the professional identity, ethical foundations, and core helping skills essential to effective counseling practice. Grounded in CACREP and ATS standards, the course emphasizes the development of intentional listening, empathic presence, and compassionate engagement within diverse clinical, educational, and ministry-informed contexts. Students explore the historical and philosophical foundations of counseling, professional roles and settings, ethical and legal responsibilities, and the integration of personal values and faith-informed reflection. Through didactic instruction, self-reflection, and experiential learning, students begin to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for competent, ethical, and spiritually grounded counseling practice.

IMPC 712 • substance abuse and addictions counseling 

Taught by Fr. Francois Diouf, O.S.B. 
Thursdays 6:30PM-9:00PM EST • 3 credits

This course provides an introduction to the dynamics of substance use and behavioral addictions, including biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. Students examine prevention, assessment, recovery processes, and referral resources, while developing pastoral responses that support healing, accountability, and resilience within individuals, families, and communities.

IM 660 • Moral Theology 

Taught by Dr. Michel Therrien
Tuesdays 6:30PM-8:15PM • 2 credits

Building on the Church’s understanding of nature and grace, this course examines the Church’s development of a moral tradition that identifies the proper character of human actions, the virtuous character of the human person, and their opposites in sin and vice. The context for this moral profile is a proper understanding of the weight of law in moral discourse and an acknowledgment of the mystery of suffering and evil. Finally, the course presents the object of Catholic Christian morality as becoming a holy person, shaped by the spiritual practices derived from the faith Tradition.