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 Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care provides students with the opportunity and skills for reflective and critical engagement in the conversation between the texts of human experience, contemporary culture, ministry or service or wider societal context, and Christian scriptures and tradition. The purpose of this engagement is to encourage the development of relevant, flexible strategies for effective pastoral mission and practice in partnership with all those who seek to serve the world through individual or systemic practice.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care:
- have knowledge of sources, terms and concepts required for theological engagement and articulate the nature of practical theology as a method of biblical and theological inquiry;
- apply their own experience and practice (personal or professional) to social and behavioural sciences and / or cultural studies and offer an integration of these with the Christian tradition;
- have skills to explore issues of Christian identity, personal vocation and self-understanding through the methods and practices of theological reflection and dialogical engagement with their ministry and mission context;
- apply advanced pastoral helping skills with a developed capacity to engage in the processes of theological reflection.
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 144 points.
| Course Structure | Points |
|---|---|
Program 1 | |
| Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies | 24 |
| Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Systematic Theology | 24 |
| Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies | 24 |
| Further postgraduate units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies | 72 |
Program 2 | |
| Postgraduate foundational units in the disciplines of Biblical Studies or Systematic Theology | 24 |
| Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies | 24 |
| Postgraduate units in the discipline of Clinical Pastoral Education | 96 |
Locations and modes
Roman CatholicEast Melbourne VICOnline (off-shore students only) mode
Duration
The standard full-time duration of the Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care is one year. The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care must be completed in not less than one year and not more than three years from the date on which the course is commenced.
| Minimum duration | 1 year |
| Standard full-time | 1 year |
| Maximum part-time | 3 years |
Pathways to this course
This award may be used as an exit point for eligible students enrolled in a Masters degree who meet the admission requirements.
Admission criteria
One of:
- An undergraduate degree
- Graduate Certificate from the University of Divinity.
Probationary admission is not available.
Credit
Credit of up to 72 points may be granted towards this award.
Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.
Fee summary
The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care requires the completion of 144 points (6 standard postgraduate units).
Fees for 2026 are $3,384 per standard unit or $20,304 for a full-time year (6 units).
Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.
