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 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.
| Course Structure | Type | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Program 1: WellSpring (through Whitley College) | ||
| DS8201W Art of Contemplative Practice 1 | Core | 24 |
| DD8202W Art of Spiritual Companioning 1 | Core | 48 |
| DD8203W Art of Spiritual Companioning 2 | Core | 48 |
| Postgraduate units in any discipline | Elective | 24 |
Program 2: Siloam (through Yarra Theological Union) |
||
| DD8701Y Religious Experience and the Christian Spiritual Tradition | Core | 24 |
| DD8703Y Personal Awareness and Human Development | Core | 24 |
| DD8705Y Spiritual Direction Practicum I | Core | 24 |
| DD8702Y Discernment and the Christian Spiritual Tradition | Core | 24 |
| DD8704Y Personal Experience of God and Personal Ethics in Spiritual Direction | Core | 24 |
| DD8706Y Spiritual Direction Practicum II | Core | 24 |
Program 3: Dayspring (through Uniting College for Leadership and Theology) |
||
| DD8740Z Contemplative Stance and Soul Care | Core | 24 |
| CH8740Z History of Contemplative and Apophatic Spirituality | Core | 24 |
| DD8741Z Spiritual Direction Praxis 1 | Core | 24 |
| DD8743Z Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 1 | Core | 24 |
| DD9743Z Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 2 | Core | 24 |
| DD8742Z Spiritual Direction Praxis 2 | Core | 24 |
Program 4: St Francis College |
||
| DD8411Z Contemplative Presence | Core | 18 |
| DD8412Z Spiritual Direction Foundations | Core | 18 |
| DD8421Z Transformation of Heart and Mind | Core | 18 |
| DD8422Z Attending to Emotions | Core | 18 |
| DD8331Z Embodiment and Ethics in Spiritual Direction | Core | 18 |
| DD8332Z Discernment in Spiritual Direction | Core | 18 |
| DD8333Z Working with Dreams in Spiritual Direction | Elective | 18 |
| DD8334Z Christian Mysticism in Spiritual Direction | Elective | 18 |
| DD8440Z Integration in Spiritual Direction Formation | Core | 18 |
Locations and modes
Uniting Church in AustraliaBrooklyn 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 four years from the date on which the course is commenced.
| Standard full-time | 1 year |
| Maximum part-time | 4 years |
Admission criteria
Minimum academic requirement
One of:
- An undergraduate degree
- A Graudate Certificate
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 Spiritual Direction requires 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.
