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 Spiritual Direction provides formation for the ministry of spiritual direction. Students explore the dynamics of Christian spirituality through reflection on their personal experience and integration of this with insights from the literature. Graduates are equipped for the ministry of spiritual direction in the particular tradition.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction:
- have knowledge of the history, theory, content and dynamics of the Christian spirituality;
- have knowledge of the art of spiritual direction, including the necessary dispositions of the spiritual director and key skills required;
- apply skills of spiritual direction under supervision;
- apply skills of spiritual direction within a range of contexts including retreats.
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction consists of 144 points comprised of one of the following programs:
Program 1: Wellspring
Candidates must complete the units:
- DS8201W Art of Contemplative Practice
- DD8202W Art of Spiritual Companioning I
- DD8203W Art of Spiritual Companioning II
- A further 24 points of units at postgraduate level
Program 2: Siloam
Candidates must complete the units:
- DD8701Y: Religious Experience and the Christian Spiritual Tradition I
- DD8703Y: Personal Awareness and Human Development I
- DD8705Y: Spiritual Direction Practicum I
The three units above must be completed concurrently.
- DD8702Y: Religious Experience and the Christian Spiritual Tradition II
- DD8704Y: Personal Experience of God and Personal Ethics in Spiritual Direction
- DD8706Y: Spiritual Direction Practicum II
The three units above must be completed concurrently.
Program 3: Dayspring
Candidates must complete the units:
- DD8740Z: Contemplative Stance and Soul Care
- CH8740Z: History of Contemplative and Apophatic Spirituality
- DD8741Z: Spiritual Direction Praxis I
- DD8743Z: Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 1
- DD9743Z: Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 2
- DD8742Z: Spiritual Direction Praxis 2
Locations and modes
Uniting Church in AustraliaBrooklyn Park SAClassroom, Mixed and Online modes
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BaptistBox Hill VICClassroom, Limited mixed and Online (off-shore students only) modes
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Roman CatholicBox Hill VICClassroom, Limited mixed and Online (off-shore students only) modes
Duration
The standard full-time duration of the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction is one year. The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction must be completed in not less than one year and not more than three years from the date on which the course is commenced.
| Standard full-time | 1 year |
| Maximum part-time | 3 years |
Admission criteria
Successful completion of an undergraduate degree, or an approved equivalent.
Fee summary
The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction requires completion of 6 standard postgraduate units. Fees for 2025 are $3,268 per standard unit or $19,608 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.
