You are an overseas student if you are:
- a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia,
- a permanent resident (visa status) of New Zealand, or
- a resident or citizen of any other country.
Conditions of study for this course
This course is available to overseas students residing in Australia and overseas students studying overseas.
- If residing in Australia, you will require a visa that allows study and note any conditions specified. These visas include;
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- Bridging visas and Training Visas (Subclass 407), please check Home Affairs for the visa that is relevant to you.
- If you are on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) to study in Australia you must study full-time.
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- You cannot study more than 1/3 of this course online.
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- If residing overseas, you will not require a visa to study this course.
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 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.
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.
Locations and modes
Uniting ChurchBrooklyn Park SAClassroom, Mixed and Online modes
BaptistBox Hill VICClassroom, Limited mixed and Online (off-shore students only) modes
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 2023 are $2,882 per standard unit or $17,292 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.
