Professional Supervision

Attendance and participation in all sessions is required as they include experiential learning and supervision practice. Additional details are available in the unit timetables.

Both courses take new admissions to commence in February and July (annually).

The Emmaus Stream of the Graduate Certificate only takes new admissions in February (annually).

Admission criteria

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 register your interest in the course and have a chat with a course advisor.

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.
• Request an interview by completing the form given below.

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

Admission Forms

New students complete both an Admission Form and the Interview Application Form.

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

Reenrolment Form for continuing students

If you are already a student of the Professional Supervision program and you are continuing your study in 2026, please use the Re-enrolment Form (not the Admission Form).

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

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 awards entitle 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.

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.