Course Details: Courses

Graduate Diploma in Theology (GDT)
(with a focus on Spiritual Direction)

• Program requirements at Campion
• Program requirements at WellSpring
• Entry requirements

Spiritual direction is the process by which a skilled person helps another grow in intimacy with God.  It has a long and revered history in the Christian tradition.  We understand spiritual direction as a ministry within the church open to properly trained lay people, religious and ordained ministers.  This Graduate Diploma in Theology provides formation for those who feel called to the ministry of spiritual direction and who wish to practise it as a major part of their ministry with a sense of recognised professional competence. 

There are two possible “streams” in the practicum component of the Program.  One stream is offered at WellSpring and the other is offered at Campion Centre of Ignatian Spirituality.

Program requirements at Campion

Contact at Campion: Bernadette Miles

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Program requirements at Wellspring

Contact at Wellspring: Revd Peter Bentley

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Entry requirements

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Theology shall be open to an applicant who:

1. has obtained, or is qualified to obtain, a Bachelor’s degree in the University of Melbourne, or an equivalent from a university or college recognised by the Board for the purposes of the Graduate Diploma in Theology; AND
2. has demonstrated a gift in the area of spiritual guidance.  This could be evidenced by an ability to listen empathically and enter sensitively into spiritual conversation with others.

While it is not essential that a spiritual director have a degree in theology, it is important to have a basic understanding of Systematic Theology and Sacred Scripture. Applicants who have not completed a degree in theology may study spiritual direction at Graduate Diploma level in this program. Candidates must complete 90 points in total, 45 points of Foundational Studies (which involves three 15-point units in Spiritual Direction, New Testament and Systematic Theology) and 45 points in Spiritual Direction.

The application process will involve an interview with the coordinators of the program.

Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Theology (with a focus on Spiritual Direction) is comprised of six 15-point units. The program can only be completed over two years part-time. As there is no provision for distance learning in this program, students must be resident in or close to Melbourne.

Practicum

Much contemporary research points to the central role of the interpersonal relationship as a core element in the helping process.  A spiritual director needs to be able to enter into a relationship with a directee in a facilitative way and not have major blocks to relationship development.  A spiritual director also needs to have had the experience of being directed. So each candidate will be required to have regular spiritual direction throughout the program.  There is a strong emphasis on the personal development of the candidate in the program because we view the personal experience and growth of the spiritual director as the most important source of knowledge for one engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction.

2010 Fee information

In 2010 the cost per unit is $1,188 for Australian students and $1,239 for International students.

If you are an Australian citizen, or hold a Permanent Humanitarian visa, you are eligible to take out a Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP loan  for this course.  If you wish to apply for FEE-HELP, please email the ICSPF Registrar, Helen Godsall, and she will post you an application form:
 
Email:  helen@jtc.edu.au

Your FEE-HELP application should be lodged with ICSPF at the same time as your application form for the course.

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Course Details

Courses
Units
Spiritual Development
How to Apply

Courses submenu:

Course descriptions:

• Graduate Certificate in Ignatian Spirituality
• Graduate Certificate in Supervision
• Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction
• Graduate Diploma in Spirituality
• Graduate Diploma in Theology
  (with a focus on Spiritual Direction)
• Master of Arts (Spiritual Direction)
• Master of Arts (Spirituality)
• Doctor of Philosophy
  Doctor of Ministry Studies

Courses by centres of study