Academic
Admission is open to persons (ordained or non-ordained) from any denomination who have completed or are in the process of completing an advanced theological degree. Admission is also open to those applicants who can demonstrate sufficient background in Bible and theology. Applicants lacking in these areas may be admitted provisionally, upon condition that they fulfill an additional two-course requirement before beginning or completing the program. These courses, one in biblical studies and one in Christian theology, must be pre-approved by the Director of the program. Admission to the DASD program requires without exception a bachelor's degree.

Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a ministry that involves attentive conversations with a wise and competent spiritual director. Spiritual directors themselves receive spiritual direction as an important part of their own self-care accountability. Persons applying to the DASD program are expected to have had at least one year of formal spiritual direction. For information about how to locate a spiritual director in your geographical area, contact Spiritual Directors International or email us at dasd@sfts.edu

Christian Community
Spiritual directors do not attend to the presence and activity of God in the life of another or others in isolation. Directors draw upon the wisdom and reflection of the entire Christian heritage, and they draw upon the strength of the faith-based communities of which they are a part. Applicants are expected to show affiliation with and service within a Christian faith community. SFTS encourages students to establish and maintain appropriate denominational structures of support and accountability and to participate actively in such peer organizations as Spiritual Directors International.

Supervision
Students fulfill the supervision requirements of the program in the context of their regular ministries and in the geographical areas in which they live. During the first January term, students begin to identify potential supervisors in their areas. Supervision requirements must be met for the DASD to be awarded. It is the responsibility of the student to remunerate his/her supervisor according to the supervisor's needs. The typical cost of supervision, based on nine one-hour sessions at $50-$120 per session, equals $450 to $1,080 per year. Students pay supervision fees for two years. However, supervisory stipends may vary widely. Because of these additional external expenses, SFTS does not charge tuition for the 6 credit hours received in supervision.

Housing
Short-term on-campus conference housing is available on a first-come/first-serve basis. Availability of housing varies year to year according to the size of the full-time resident student population. Applying early for housing is strongly recommended. Housing costs vary and depend upon the quality of the accommodations and the student's need for a single or shared bedroom. Housing applications that include descriptions of the various accommodations are mailed to students each fall. For each January term, typical housing costs range from $625-$1,300 per person for on-campus housing in either our seminary conference center or on-campus apartments. Housing costs will vary from year to year.

Meals and Materials Costs
Every student, commuter or resident, pays a fee of $295. This fee covers the cost of lunches (our main meal), snacks, art supplies, and materials. Though not required, students who live on campus are encouraged to purchase the two-meal-a-day plan, as many students have accommodations in Susanna Baird Hall, a residence hall that has a single, small kitchen. Those on the two-meal-a-day plan (lunch and a light supper), pay a total fee of $415 for meals and materials costs. Meal and material costs may vary from year to year. Students are responsible for their own breakfast during their residence. There are four days during the January term when classes are not held and no meals are served. There are, however, a number of restaurants, coffee houses, and diners within walking distance of the Seminary.