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 Professional Supervision provides advanced knowledge and skills in the professional supervision of groups and individuals who work in caring professions such as ministry, health, education and leadership. Through theological and critical reflection, advanced strategies and practical processes of supervision are examined and experienced. An integrated range of approaches and methods to assist supervisees are explored and used. The course offers advanced knowledge and experience in effective professional supervision, including encountering challenging situations, and exemplifies and encourages a culture of care of others and self-care. Students undertake at least one area of specialisation in professional supervision that may build on or reflect their career path.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision will be able to
- have advanced knowledge, drawing on current literature and research, of practices and processes of professional supervision of groups and individuals;
- have advanced, integrated knowledge of psychodynamic, ethical, legal, theological and contextual frameworks and how they influence the effective provision of professional supervision;
- apply advanced practical skills and experience in professional supervision in a range of complex situations;
- have advanced knowledge and understanding, including current research, in one or more selected specialist areas (e.g., ministry, chaplaincy, leadership, healthcare, education, welfare, or intercultural contexts);
- apply integrated, advanced skills and processes in the professional supervision of individuals and of groups.
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision consists of 144 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 |
| PS9015Z Critical Praxis: An Intentional Approach | 18 |
| PS9016Z Integrated Praxis in a Differentiated World. | 18 |
| PS9017Z Special Focus: Advanced Ethical Considerations. | 18 |
| PS9018Z Integrated Professional Encounter | 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 |
| PS9015Z Critical Praxis: An Intentional Approach | 18 |
| PS9016Z Integrated Praxis in a Differentiated World. | 18 |
| PS9017Z Special Focus: Advanced Ethical Considerations. | 18 |
| PS9018Z Integrated Professional Encounter | 18 |
Students who have completed PS8011Z; PS8012Z, PS8013Z / PS8113Z and PS8014Z / PS9114Z may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision.
Locations and modes
Duration
Thhe Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision is only available part-time.
| Minimum duration | 1 year |
| Maximum part-time | 3 years |
This course is only available for part-time study.
| Maximum part-time | 3 years |
Graduate pathways
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision can progress to the Master of Leadership and the Doctor of Professional Practice.
Admission criteria
- The University of Divinity Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision or equivalent; 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 72 points may be granted towards this award.
Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.
Fee summary
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision requires completion of 144 points.
Fees for 2026 are $2,538 per 18-point postgraduate unit, or $20,304 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.
