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Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction (GDSD)

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. The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction 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. 

Dean of Studies

Please contact the Dean of Studies if you are interested in applying for this course.

Revd Dr Michael Smith SJ
Jesuit Theological College
175 Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3052

smithm@mira.net

+61 3 9341 5800

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

Program requirements at Campion

The Campion spiritual direction “stream” normally requires that a student complete the following six units.  However, a student who has already studied units in spiritual direction prior to beginning the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction may be able to study units other than those nominated below.  The Dean of ICSPF will review your background in spiritual direction and assist you to tailor your academic program to your formational needs.

Contact at Campion : Bernadette Miles
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction (GDSD) Campion
Unit name
Unit No.
Points

The Weeks of the Spiritual Exercises

 PDS415.15

15 points

Spiritual Exercises: Theory

 PDS405.15

15 points

Key Meditations and Rules in the Spiritual Exercises

 PDS425.15

15 points

Spiritual Exercises: Practice

 PDS406.15

15 points

Supervised Retreat Direction

 PDS410.15

15 points
Elective   15 points

Program requirements at WellSpring

The WellSpring spiritual direction “stream” normally requires that a student complete the following six units.  However, a student who has already studied units in spiritual direction prior to beginning the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction may be able to study units other than those nominated below.  The Dean of ICSPF will review your background in spiritual direction and assist you to tailor your academic program to your formational needs.  

Contact at Wellspring : Revd Peter Bentley

Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction (GDSD) Wellspring
Unit name
Unit No.
Points

Art of Spiritual Direction I

 PDB312.15

15 points

Art of Spiritual Direction II

 PDB313.15

15 points

Art of Spiritual Direction III

 PDB314.30

30 points

Elective

  

15 points
Elective   15 points

 

Course Structure (GDSD)

The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction can only be completed over two years part-time. The program comprises six 15-point units. As there is no provision for distance learning in this program, students must be resident in or live 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.

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

Entry requirements

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

  1. has completed a degree in theology, or has graduated from an Australian University (or its overseas equivalent) with equivalent qualifications to a theological degree; 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

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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The Institute for Christian Spirituality and Pastoral Formation is a Recognised Teaching Institution of the Melbourne College of Divinity which collaborates with centres of spiritual formation including the WellSpring Centre and Campion Centre of Ignatian Spirituality.
The Carmelite Library is the designated library of the Institute.

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