Professional Supervision makes all the difference

The four units of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision and the first four units of the Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision are identical and taught together. This enables flexibility of award transfer and also brings diversity and strength to the cohort of students, particularly helpful in the experiential learning and supervision practice sessions. The first four units are available online and in-person. In-person teaching is located at the University’s St Paschal Campus in Box Hill (Melbourne).

Teaching staff are a range of experienced professionals led by Dr Cath McKinney, together with specialist lecturer, professional supervisors and other guest presenters.

Students enroll in the professional supervision courses through Whitley College, the host college. Library Services are provided by the Library Hub of the University of Divinity. Library resources will be available online. Other resources are available through the Learning Management System ARK.

Courses and units

View full details of each course and the individual units for each award using the links below.

• AQF 08CRICOS N/A

  Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision
  Duration

  Full-time not available,
  Up to 2 years part-time

  Modes

  Mixed, Online

  Colleges & Schools

  Available at 1 College/School

  The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision equips its graduates to practice as professional supervisors. It offers the knowledge and skills for the provision of structured, theologically reflective professional supervision of individuals and groups who work in caring professions such as ministry, health, education and leadership. Through experiential learning students develop their skills in professional supervision to create a relationship of trust and transparency in which those being supervised can review their work practices. Using a range of knowledge and techniques, professional supervision can enable the supervisee to develop self-awareness, resilience, ethical understanding, accountability, and effectiveness.

  Students may choose from streams in Professional Supervision or Professional Supervision for Spiritual Directors (Emmaus Stream).

  Course profile

Units

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision comprises four required units. These units can be completed in one year, or may be completed over two years.

Select the link on the unit code for each unit to view information about the unit content, class times and the census date.

• AQF 08CRICOS N/A

  Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision
  Duration

  Full-time not available,
  Up to 3 years part-time

  Modes

  Mixed, Online

  Colleges & Schools

  Available at 1 College/School

  The Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision provides advanced knowledge and skills in the professional supervision of groups and individuals who work in caring professions such as ministry, health, education and leadership. Through theological and critical reflection, advanced strategies and practical processes of supervision are examined and experienced. An integrated range of approaches and methods to assist supervisees are explored and used. The course offers advanced knowledge and experience in effective professional supervision, including encountering challenging situations, and exemplifies and encourages a culture of care of others and self-care. Students undertake at least one area of specialisation in professional supervision that may build on or reflect their career path.

  Course profile

Units

The Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision comprises eight required units. The first four units are the same as those in a Graduate Certificate of Professional Supervision and are studied together with the Graduate Certificate cohort.

Select the link on the unit code for each unit to view information about the unit content, class times and the census date.

Both courses

Attendance and participation in all sessions is required as they include experiential learning and supervision practice.

Additional details are available in the unit timetables.

Click on the links below to view the 2025 timetables for the Professional Supervision awards.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision – July 2025 intake (new students in 2025)

Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision Timetable – February 2025 intake (new students in 2025)

Applicants must have:

• successful completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional attainment or equivalent professional experience (subject to approval); and
• practical experience in ministry or a caring profession; and
• evidence of current clearances for working with children and vulnerable adults, such as a Working With Children Card; and
• experience of Professional Supervision as a supervisee; and
• completion of at least one year’s full-time study in theology or ministry

Each applicant will also be interviewed prior to admission.

The University of Divinity Council sets tuition fees and fees for other services annually. 

FEE-HELP is available to eligible students. FEE-HELP students do not pay up-front fees.

Make an enquiry

Use the Enquiry Form to get in touch for course advice and to register your interest.

Interview

Each applicant for a Professional Supervision award must complete a satisfactory interview prior to admission.

Interviews will be conducted via Zoom on a rolling basis.

Applicants will be contacted to identify a mutually suitable time.

To request an interview, please download and complete the Interview Application Form.

Submit your admission form and interview forms directly to the Whitley College team by email to whitley@whitley.edu.au

After a satisfactory interview, you will be contacted and invited to proceed with the course.

Admission Forms

New students please need to complete an Admission Form for Professional Supervision and the Interview Application Form.

Re enrolment Form for continuing students

If you are already a student of the Professional Supervision program and you are continuing your study in 2025, please use the Re-enrolment form for continuing students (not the Admission Form).

Is the University of Divinity’s Professional Supervision Program different to courses offered by other institutions?

The University’s courses are unique in Australia because they are high quality qualifications. The University of Divinity is the only institution in Australia offering Professional Supervision awards at University level. This makes them a very strong qualification to have, one that will equip you well as a Professional Supervisor in any situation or place. University-level awards entitled you to acknowledge your professional supervision achievement with letters after your name (‘post-nominals’). These are GCPS or GDPS, respectively for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma.

The University of Divinity is also eligible under the Government’s Fee-Help scheme, which means there are no upfront fees for eligible students. Also unlike some other institutions the University’s awards include both theory and practice. Students will have an opportunity to log a set of supervision sessions as supervisor, and also receive a set of supervision sessions at no extra cost.

What’s the difference between synchronous and non-synchronous online learning?

Synchronous online learning means that everyone in the class is online and on camera at the same time. The class is held in ‘real time’. This enables interaction and discussion, work in small groups in the practice of supervision, working with staff members in shared learning.

Non-synchronous online learning means you access online material at any time that suits you in the week before the synchronous class. This will include some Peer Group work outside of class (online), as well as readings, reflections, and assessment tasks.

Both the synchronous and the non-synchronous sessions are required parts of the course.

Will the University offer support after graduation?

Definitely! The University will continue to support graduates in a range of ways, including ongoing professional development opportunities, networking and pathways into further study or research. Graduates may also apply to be included in the University’s list of Professional Supervisors.

University of Divinity graduates in Professional Supervision will:

• have a multi-faceted skill set gained through immersion in contemporary scholarship, addressing real issues, and practical learning. 
• understand and exercise the ‘degree of independence from the institution’ within which the supervisee is in ministry, as called for by the Royal Commission. (RC 16.45)
• be equipped to build their practice supervising ministry workers, both ordained and lay, school principals, teachers, chaplains, denominational leaders and leadership teams, workers in health and faith-based social services, amongst others.
• have the opportunity to apply to be included in the University’s public-facing list of Professional Supervisors.
• have access to post-graduation resources and networks.
• have opportunities to take up further learning at a Master’s level with pathways to research.

There is no official registration process or accrediting peak body for Supervisors/Professional Supervisors in Australia.

However, the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision and the Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision align with the standards and recognition requirements of the Australian Association of Supervisors (AAOS).

The University of Divinity and the Professional Supervision awards are recognised by AAOS as a Recognised Supervision Training Program (theory).

AAOS offers a range of levels of recognition.

Individuals apply for their own recognition by AAOS.