Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Pastoral Counselling

The Master of Pastoral Counselling is designed to extend the academic qualifications of individuals working in pastoral and clinical counselling or ministry settings, including clergy and laity. This program aims to enhance pastoral care and counselling skills, which are essential in various institutional settings within the framework of churches in Australia, as well as in corporate, congregational, and community levels.

Program Overview

The Master of Pastoral Counselling includes the following awards:

• Master of Pastoral Counselling (MPastCounsell)

Course Structure

The course comprises the following subjects:

• THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills
• THL420 Pastoral Counselling: Theory and Professional Issues
• THL428 Pastoral Counselling: Grief and Loss
• THL430 Pastoral Counselling: Crisis Intervention
• THL432 Pastoral Counselling: Relationship and Family
• THL433 Pastoral Counselling: Mental Health and Trauma
• THL434 Spiritual Direction in the Christian Tradition
• THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology
• THL520 Advanced Pastoral Counselling (16)
• THL530 Social Research Methods for Pastoral Studies
• THL531 Pastoral Counselling Research Proposal
• THL625 Pastoral Counselling Dissertation (32)

Admission Criteria

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate personal suitability to undertake professional practice as a pastoral counsellor, including self-awareness, relational capacity, personal ethical practice, and the ability to reflect on and learn from experience
• Hold an undergraduate degree in theology, psychology, or an equivalent field; applicants with degrees in other disciplines are encouraged to apply
• Alternatively, applicants may have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling at CSU or hold a Graduate Diploma of Counselling from another institution; in the latter case, they may be required to complete the core subject theological component of the CSU Graduate Diploma of Theology before being granted admission

Credit and Articulation

• Credit of up to 64 points will be granted for successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling offered by CSU, School of Theology
• The Master, Graduate Diploma, and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, with credit given in each higher-level course for subjects completed in the lower-level courses

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 128 points.

Enrolment Pattern

The enrolment pattern for the Master of Pastoral Counselling is as follows:

• Part-time Session 1: THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills, THL420 Pastoral Counselling: Theory & Professional Issues
• Part-time Session 2: THL428 Pastoral Counselling: Grief and Loss, THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology
• Part-time Session 3: THL430 Pastoral Counselling: Crisis Intervention, THL433 Pastoral Counselling: Mental Health and Trauma
• Part-time Session 4: THL432 Pastoral Counselling: Relationship and Family, THL434 Spiritual Direction in the Christian Tradition
• Part-time Session 5: THL520 Advanced Pastoral Counselling (16), THL530 Social Research Methods for Pastoral Studies
• Part-time Session 6: THL520 Advanced Pastoral Counselling (16), THL531 Pastoral Counselling Research Proposal
• Part-time Session 7: THL625 Pastoral Counselling Dissertation (32)
• Part-time Session 8: THL625 Pastoral Counselling Dissertation (32)

Duration and Study Modes

The normal course duration for the Master of Pastoral Counselling is:

• Full-time: 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)
• Part-time: 4.0 years (8.0 sessions) The program is available in Distance Education mode in Canberra, with availability subject to change; therefore, it is essential to verify availability prior to enrolment.