Tuition and Commitment

The tuition costs and time commitment of the St. Phoebe School are designed to be affordable and sustainable for working adults.

Whatever your financial situation, we hope you will be able to participate fully in the St. Phoebe School. Please don’t let the tuition deter you. Diaconal Formation Grants are available through the Fund for the Diaconate (application link and description below). You will also be surprised by the generosity of parishes, bishops, family and friends to provide–for God to provide.

Tuition

For 2022-2023, the cost to students are projected to be $620 per quarter, payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in the summer, and payable to both CALL at CDSP and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in fall, winter, and spring.

Please note that tuition is subject to change, but the commitment to affordable diaconal education will remain a priority for all involved in the St. Phoebe School partnership. The school is a partnership between three organizations, all of which have to have pass budgets which balance a number of priorities, and none of which can guarantee their budgets more than a year in advance.

That said, below are the projected tuition costs for a course of study encompassing 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

Year One

  • Summer 2022: $600* payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (includes July 8-10, 2021 in-person retreat costs)*
  • Fall 2022:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
  • Winter 2023:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
  • Spring 2023:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Year Two

  • Summer 2023: $620, payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (includes June 2023 in-person retreat costs)*
  • Fall 2023:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
  • Winter 2024:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
  • Spring 2024:
    • $430 payable to CALL at CDSP ($215 per course, two courses per term)
    • $190 payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

*note: Summer rates are inclusive of retreat costs. Fees are reduced when the retreat is offered in virtual format and housing costs are not needed, for example if recommended due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

Costs of Books

CALL at CDSP is committed to keeping added costs down for its students. As much as possible, CALL uses free, open source educational materials. In some classes the students may be asked to purchase a few books or other resources, depending on the material covered in the course. Requests for assistance with book costs may be directed to the Local Formation Director.

Financial Aid Support

The Fund for the Diaconate is now offering a Diaconal Formation Grant for eligible postulants and candidates. Grantees may receive up to $1,500 each year for costs associated with formation requirements including registration, books and fees.

Application and additional information is available at Formation Grants – The Fund for the Diaconate (fundfordiaconate.org).

Commitment

Coursework through CALL at CDSP (Years One & Two)

In fall, winter and spring of Year One, students can expect to take two courses through CALL at CDSP.

Each course runs about seven weeks. In addition to assigned readings, students can expect 2-3 hours of engaged online work per course, per week. Most working adults can sustainably take two courses per semester.

In fall, winter and spring of Year Two, students can expect to take one or two courses through CALL at CDSP, depending on individual formational needs and to allow time for each student to participate in a parish/community internship.

Each summer, all of St. Phoebe School will engage together in local learning around an emergent theme. Learning will take place in-person at the retreat as well as through additional readings, discussions and/or field trips. Local summer learning is topical and changes yearly.

Daily Prayer, Quarterly Liturgical Events, Yearly Retreats (Years One & Two)

Students engage in daily prayer and enrich their spiritual discipline through engaging with the Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe.

Localized, quarterly liturgical events focus on spiritual support and prayerful grounding in diaconal ministry for the students and are a visible presence for the diaconate across both participating dioceses.

Three retreats are planned over the two years. In person attendance at all three is encouraged, if possible, but virtual participation can be arranged. Details about each retreat will be made available to students following postulancy.

Parish/Community Internships (Year Two)

Parish and community internships offer practical, hands-on experience with mentor deacons in a host parish and/or community ministry setting during the final year of study. During parish/community internships, students meet in mentoring groups to discuss their experiences and encourage each other’s growth.

This comprehensive plan of local formation supplementing academic formation involves groups gathered for prayer, for study, for planning and participating in liturgy, for mutual support and for mentoring. Spiritual, practical and relational formation activities are all facilitated by the Local Formation Director.

%d bloggers like this: