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 Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care enables students to apply an advanced body of knowledge and skill in pastoral care in relation to broader theological studies. Students broaden their knowledge and skills and deepen their engagement with select areas of study to prepare themselves for professional practice and further learning.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care:
- have advanced knowledge of sources, terms and concepts required in pastoral care, and of the relation of pastoral care to broader theological studies
- have mastery of research principles and methods, including analytical skills applicable to pastoral care
- have advanced skills of interpretation and critical reflection on a range of approaches and methodologies in pastoral care, with awareness of implications and application to contemporary issues in professional ministry, in order to generate and evaluate ideas for professional practice and further learning
- articulate and communicate knowledge and insights in pastoral care to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- apply relevant skills in pastoral care through the execution of a substantial research-based project, capstone experience or piece of scholarship.
Course structure
The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 288 points.
| Course Structure | Points |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Postgraduate units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies | 72 |
Either:
Or: | 72 |
| A Capstone unit (at least 24 points) | 24 |
| Further postgraduate units in any discipline |
Locations and modes
Roman CatholicEast Melbourne VICOnline (off-shore students only) mode
Duration
The standard full-time duration of the Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care is two years. The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care must be completed in not less than two years and not more than six years from the date on which the course is commenced.
| Standard full-time | 2 years |
| Maximum part-time | 6 years |
Admission criteria
One of:
a) An undergraduate degree
b) Graduate Certificate from the University of Divinity.
Probationary admission is not available.
Credit
Credit of up to 144 points may be granted towards this award.
Exemption without credit may be available as follows:
| Prior qualification or training | Maximum points | Specific application |
|---|---|---|
| Professional experience | 48 | A candidate who has at least two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) pastoral or ministry experience may be exempted from the requirement to complete 48 points of postgraduate units in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. The candidate must still complete 288 points. |
Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.
Fee summary
The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care requires completion of 288 points (12 standard postgraduate units).
Fees for 2026 are $3,384 per standard unit or $20,304 for a full-time year (6 units). The total cost of the course at 2026 fees is $40,608.
Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.
