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 Spiritual Direction enables students to acquire advanced knowledge of the theological and scriptural foundations of approaches to spiritual direction in the Christian tradition, and to apply this knowledge in professional practice.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Spiritual Direction:
- have advanced knowledge of the theological and spiritual foundations of approaches to spiritual direction in the Christian tradition, and of the relation of the discipline to broader theological studies
- have mastery of skills to reflect critically on giving guidance to an individual’s spiritual experience in the light of key themes, traditions and approaches in spirituality
- have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions and professional decisions about themes, traditions and approaches in spiritual direction
- apply knowledge of themes, traditions and approaches in spiritual direction with creativity and initiative to professional practice and for further learning
- apply relevant theological and hermeneutical skills through the execution of a substantial research-based project, capstone experience or piece of scholarship.
Course structure
The Master of Spiritual Direction consists of 288 points comprised of:
- 96 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in the discipline of Spiritual Direction
- 24 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies
- 24 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in the discipline of Systematic Theology or in the discipline of Church History
- 96 points of Postgraduate Elective units in the disciplines of Spiritual Direction, Spirituality and Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies
- Either one Capstone unit of at least 24 points in Spiritual Direction or the unit RQ9748M Minor Thesis
- Further units at the postgraduate level in the disciplines of Spiritual Direction and Spirituality.
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
Duration
The standard full-time duration of the Master of Spiritual Direction is two years. The Master of Spiritual Direction 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
Successful completion of an undergraduate degree, or an approved equivalent.
Fee summary
The Master of Spiritual Direction requires the completion of 12 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.
