Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies

The Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies is a postgraduate program that includes the following award: Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies (GradDipAgeing&PastStud).

Availability

The program is available on campus in Canberra and online. Availability is subject to change, and students are advised to verify prior to enrolment.

Normal Course Duration

The normal course duration for the Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies is:

• Full-time: 1.0 year (2.0 sessions)
• Part-time: 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)

Admission Criteria

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies must meet the following admission requirements:

• Successful completion of an undergraduate degree (or AQF equivalent) in either Theology, Social Work, Psychology, or equivalent
• OR
• Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies, or an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent

English Language Proficiency

Students must meet the standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

Credit

Applicants who have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Pastoral Studies will receive 32 credit points towards the Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies.

Articulation

The Master, Graduate Diploma, and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is given in each higher-level course for the subjects completed in the lower.

Graduation Requirement

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Course Structure

The course structure consists of:

• 5 core subjects (40 points)
• 3 restricted electives (24 points)

Core Subjects

• THL445 Foundations for Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People
• THL446 Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People
• THL451 Theological and Ethical Issues for People in Later Life
• GER402 Ageing Bodies, Ageing Minds
• WEL424 Loss, Grief and Palliative Care for Older People

Restricted Electives

Students must choose 3 subjects from the following:

• THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills
• THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology
• THL444 Pastoral and Spiritual Care in Residential and Community Aged Care Settings
• THL521 Theological Ethics for the Helping Professions
• THL530 Social Research Methods for Pastoral Studies
• THL564 Mental Health Challenges for Pastoral and Spiritual Care
• THL566 Pastoral Practice in Ageing: Politics, Policy and Principles

Enrolment Pattern

The enrolment pattern for the Graduate Diploma of Ageing and Pastoral Studies is:

• Year 1 - Session 1: THL445, THL451
• Year 1 - Session 2: THL446, GER402
• Year 2 - Session 1: WEL424, 1 x Restricted elective
• Year 2 - Session 2: 2 x Restricted electives

Residential School

Some subjects may contain a Residential School component. Further details of Residential School requirements are available via the subject page. The following subjects may contain a Residential School component:

• THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills
• THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology
• THL521 Theological Ethics for the Helping Professions