Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling

The Graduate Diploma 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 exercised in various institutional settings within the framework of churches in Australia, as well as in universities, military, corrective services, police, ambulance, trade, and industry.

Program Details

Award Names and Availability

The course includes the following awards: Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling (GradDipPastCounsell). Availability is subject to change, and it is recommended to verify prior to enrolment.

Duration and Study Modes

• The normal course duration for the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling is:
  • Full-time: 1.0 year (2.0 sessions)
  • Part-time: 2.0 years (4.0 sessions)
• The program is available in Distance Education mode in Canberra.

Admission Criteria

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate personal suitability to undertake professional practice as a pastoral counsellor, including self-awareness, relational capacity, personal ethical practice, being able to reflect on and learn from experience, and being open to positive and challenging feedback.
• Hold an undergraduate degree in theology, psychology, or equivalent.
• Applicants with degrees in other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
• Those without an undergraduate degree will be considered with evidence that they can undertake tertiary studies in this area, such as a letter of motivation and two professional or academic references, as assessed by the Course Coordinator.

Credit and Articulation

• Credit will be awarded for 400-level subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling.
• Credit will not be awarded for 100-300 level subjects.
• 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.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling consists of 64 points and includes 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

Enrolment Pattern

For part-time students, the enrolment pattern is as follows:

• Session 1: THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills, THL420 Pastoral Counselling: Theory & Professional Issues
• Session 2: THL428 Pastoral Counselling: Grief and Loss, THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology
• Session 3: THL430 Pastoral Counselling: Crisis Intervention, THL433 Pastoral Counselling: Mental Health and Trauma
• Session 4: THL432 Pastoral Counselling: Relationship and Family, THL434 Spiritual Direction in the Christian Tradition Students may choose to exit with the award Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling after completing 4 subjects (32 credit points).