Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- Domestic
Offered at 1 locations
- Online MT
- Online MT
- Duration
- 2 years part-time
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Overview
Spiritual Direction is the process and practice through which a skilled individual helps another to grow in intimacy with God. It is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. Understood as a ministry within the church suitable for trained lay people, religious and ordained ministers, spiritual direction has a long and revered history in the Christian tradition.
The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction is coursework degree for those who are interested in becoming a spiritual director, but do not have formal background in theology. You will develop knowledge, understanding and the foundational skills suited to the ethical, self-aware and safe practice of spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition, normally in Christian contexts.
In the present day, when the choice to belong to institutional religious traditions is perhaps more complex than previously, the role of Spiritual Directors assumes a new importance as people seek to find meaning and purpose. Spiritual directors must be experienced persons of prayer, humility and integrity, able to listen to, be with, and guide others as they seek to deepen their relationship with God.
Drawing from the Ignatian spiritual tradition, the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction aims to provide you with the theological, spiritual, psychological and ethical frameworks, as well as practical skills necessary to undertake spiritual direction as a ministry.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Entry requirements
An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have:
- completed a Bachelor degree and;
- demonstrated suitability to undertake the course, as evidenced by interview with the Course Coordinator.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have:
- completed a Bachelor degree and;
- demonstrated suitability to undertake the course, as evidenced by interview.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
English language requirements
Applicants should carefully review the details outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy to check how they must demonstrate their English Language Proficiency.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Fees
Course costs
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.