Women's Leadership Institute

A PROGRAM IN APPLIED SPIRITUALITY

2011 - 2012

The Women's Leadership Institute (WLI) is an experience based program committed to developing an embodied spirituality grounded in the very real world of our personal and public lives.

Core Curriculum

During nine weekend seminars that meet monthly from September through May, participants strengthen leadership skills rooted in a feminist perspective that is justice-based, globally oriented, attentive to diversity, and ritually expressed. Essential elements of the program are:

• completion of the nine core seminars
• a cross-cultural experience
• project in leadership
• enrollment in an additional Seminary course

The curriculum, which includes selected readings, presents a feminist perspective of scripture, theology, psychology, spirituality, ritual, and leadership. A guided analysis of academic content and reflection on life experience emphasize integration and practical application. Discussion, storytelling, and the shared leadership of community prayer take place within the larger circle and in smaller wisdom circles.

Enrollment Options

There are two enrollment options: non-credit and credit. Prerequisite for receiving six graduate credits for WLI and three graduate credits for the additional Seminary course is a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent. All graduates of the program receive a WLI certificate. Receipt of graduate credit is contingent upon the successful completion of course-for-credit requirements. Graduate credits acquired through WLI may be applied toward the Seminary's Graduate Certificate in Spirituality and/or Master of Arts Degree.

Although Hartford Seminary is not authorized to offer undergraduate credit, students may earn up to nine upper level credits toward a baccalaureate degree through Charter Oak State College for completion of the WLI certificate program and the additional Seminary course. Charter Oak requires an additional fee for the transfer of those credits from a Hartford Seminary transcript.

Program Prerequisites

There are no academic prerequisites for admission to the program for the basic enrollment option. Graduate credit options require a baccalaureate degree (or its educational equivalent). Required of all participants are an openness to a feminist perspective in religion and society and a willingness to honor diverse points of view. The admission process requires completion of an application form, payment of the $40 application fee, and an interview with a member of the WLI team.

Program Cost

The cost of the Women’s Leadership Institute is $1,500 (tuition) for the non-credit option plus $100 (hospitality assessment) for the 2011-2012 academic year. Additional tuition is required for graduate credit. Limited financial aid is available for those who would otherwise be unable to participate. There is also a graduation fee of $65. A 2.5% convenience fee will be charged when paying with a credit card.

Schedule for 2011-2012

WLI Team

Miriam Therese Winter, Director

Visiting Faculty
Barbara Essex
Judy Fentress-Williams
Jan Gregory
Mellonee Pauley