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Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care

The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care provides students with the opportunity and skills for reflective and critical engagement in the conversation between the texts of human experience, contemporary culture, ministry or service or wider societal context, and Christian scriptures and tradition. The purpose of this engagement is to encourage the development of relevant, flexible strategies for effective pastoral mission and practice in partnership with all those who seek to serve the world through individual or systemic practice.

Overseas students

CRICOS N/A

Study modes

Classroom, Mixed, Online

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 3 years part-time

Sample Course Structure

1 Unit

DP8001W Foundations of Spiritual and Pastoral Care
3 Units

3 Units Pastoral Theology & Ministry Studies, may include the double unit CP9100Z Clinical Pastoral Education Level 1
1 Unit

BA8001W Introducing the Hebrew Bible OR
BN8001W Interpreting the New Testament
1 Unit

CT8001W Beginning Theological Studies

NOTE: The information presented in this graphic is a general guide and not a substitute for personal course advice with a Course Advisor. Please click the links on the legend to read about Whitley College units that may be included in this course.

Course details

PROGRAM 1: The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 144 points with:

  1. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies;
  2. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Systematic Theology;
  3. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry; and
  4. a further 72 points of postgraduate units in Pastoral Theology and Ministry.

 

PROGRAM 2: The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 144 points with:

  1. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies OR Systematic Theology;
  2. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry; and
  3. 96 points of postgraduate units in the discipline of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Unit ID Unit Field/Discipline
DP8001W

DP8001W Foundations of Spiritual and Pastoral Care

 DP Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

3 Units Pastoral Theology & Ministry Studies, may include the double unit CP9100Z Clinical Pastoral Education Level 1

 Field D (Mission & Ministry)
CT8001W

CT8001W Beginning Theological Studies

 CT Systematic Theology
BN8001W

BA8001W Introducing the Hebrew Bible OR
BN8001W Interpreting the New Testament

 Field B (Biblical Studies)

PROGRAM 1: The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 144 points with:

  1. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies;
  2. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Systematic Theology;
  3. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry; and
  4. a further 72 points of postgraduate units in Pastoral Theology and Ministry.

 

PROGRAM 2: The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 144 points with:

  1. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies OR Systematic Theology;
  2. 24 points of postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry; and
  3. 96 points of postgraduate units in the discipline of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Successful completion of an undergraduate degree, or an approved equivalent, or has obtained a Graduate Certificate from the University of Divinity.

All applicants must meet the English admission requirements of the University of Divinity as outlined in the Admissions Policy.

 

Students have 3 hours of class time per standard unit they are enrolled in across the 12 teaching weeks of semester.

Students should allow an additional 10 hours for study and assessment tasks per week for each unit they are enrolled in – that is 13 hours per unit per week.

The full-time study load for the Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care is 3 units per semester which is a commitment of 39 hours per week.

Depending on the time available for study, students can choose to study part-time by enrolling in 1 to 2 units per semester. The Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care can be completed within the maximum 3 years allowed if students choose to enrol in 1 unit per semester.

Learning outcomes

Course achievements

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care:

  1. have knowledge of sources, terms and concepts required for theological engagement and articulate the nature of practical theology as a method of biblical and theological inquiry;
  2. apply their own experience and practice (personal or professional) to social and behavioural sciences and / or cultural studies and offer an integration of these with the Christian tradition;
  3. have skills to explore issues of Christian identity, personal vocation and self-understanding through the methods and practices of theological reflection and dialogical engagement with their ministry and mission context;
  4. apply advanced pastoral helping skills with a developed capacity to engage in the processes of theological reflection.

Graduate Pathways

Future study options

Graduates may be eligible to proceed to a Masters award.

Where will this take me?

Vocational Possibilities

Rev Jonathan Stark

Whitley was just what I needed to understand pastoral ministry. There was preaching, pastoral care, evangelism – all things I was desperately needing to learn about. I found the experience invaluable as Whitley theologically prepared me as a pastor to deal with things in my ministry that were challenging.
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FAQs

Fees

Key Dates

Timetable

Ready for your next step?

If theological education has been on your mind, there’s no better place to start your journey than by stepping out in faith with us at Whitley.

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How to Apply