You are an overseas student if you are NOT one of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand citizen (or dual citizen)
- Australian permanent resident
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
- Pacific Engagement visa holder.
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
If you are holding or applying for a Student Visa Subclass 500 you are required to enrol in a full-time course that is registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) in Australia. For more details, please visit the Department of Home Affairs and the CRICOS website.
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision equips its graduates to practice as professional supervisors. It offers the knowledge and skills for the provision of structured, theologically reflective professional supervision of individuals and groups who work in caring professions such as ministry, health, education and leadership. Through experiential learning students develop their skills in professional supervision to create a relationship of trust and transparency in which those being supervised can review their work practices. Using a range of knowledge and techniques, professional supervision can enable the supervisee to develop self-awareness, resilience, ethical understanding, accountability, and effectiveness.
Students may choose from streams in Professional Supervision or Professional Supervision for Spiritual Direction.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision will be able to
- have knowledge, drawing on current literature and research, of practices and processes of professional supervision;
- have knowledge and experience of key concepts, skills, and techniques of professional supervision of individuals and groups, including online;
- have knowledge and experience of psychodynamics in the supervisory relationship and of psychological factors that may be part of the supervisees experience;
- apply theological and critical reflection, ethical alertness, and structured communication to assist others in processes of self-evaluation of their work;
- apply knowledge and experience of cultural, denominational, inclusion, professional standards and safeguarding needs and requirements in order to implement effective processes of professional supervision.
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision consists of 72 points.
Units are listed in an indicative teaching sequence.
| Course Structure | Points |
|---|---|
| PS8011Z Foundations of Professional Supervision | 18 |
| PS8012Z People, Ethics, and Practice in Supervision | 18 |
| PS8013Z Where Two or More are Gathered: Group Supervision | 18 |
| PS8014Z Inclusion, Power, Authority and Culture in Supervision | 18 |
Students in the Spiritual Direction stream will undertake the following units:
| Course Structure (Spiritual Direction stream) | Points |
|---|---|
| PS8011Z Foundations of Professional Supervision | 18 |
| PS8012Z People, Ethics, and Practice in Supervision | 18 |
| PS8113Z Where Two or More are Gathered: Supervision of Spiritual Directors | 18 |
| PS8114Z Inclusion, Power, Authority and Culture in Supervision of Spiritual Directors | 18 |
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision is offered as part of the University of Divinity’s Partnership for Professional Practice and is hosted by Whitley College. While the program is coordinated through Whitley, students are welcome to undertake their studies through their existing Home College within the University.
For delivery information including timetables, see the Partnership of Professional Practice website.
Locations and modes
Duration
Thhe Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision is only available part-time.
| Minimum duration | 6 months |
| Maximum part-time | 2 years |
This course is only available for part-time study.
| Maximum part-time | 2 years |
Graduate pathways
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision can progress to the Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision.
Admission criteria
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent, or five years’ work experience; and
- practical experience in ministry or a caring profession; and
- evidence of current clearances for working with children and vulnerable adults, such as a Working With Children card.
Probationary admission is not available.
Credit
Credit of up to 36 points may be granted towards this award.
Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.
Fee summary
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision requires completion of 72 points.
Fees for 2026 are $2,538 per 18-point postgraduate unit, or $10,152 for the total course cost.
Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.
Fee assistance
Fee-HELP is available for domestic applicants who meet one of the Citizenship and residency requirements
- an Australian citizen who will study at least one unit of your course of study in Australia
- a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and who studies the entire course while living in Australia
- a permanent humanitarian visa holder or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder who studies the entire course while living in Australia
- a Pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit(s)
For further information or additional eligibility requirements, please visit Study Assist.
Overseas students are not entitled to Fee-Help.
