Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction

Course Duration
  • 1 year full-time
  • Up to 3 years part-time
AQF and Course Codes
  • Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (AQF 8)
  • CRICOS 080411G
Tuition Fees
AU$20,304
at 2026 fees
Next Intake
February, July
Apply

Apply now to begin to begin your study journey

Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction provides formation for the ministry of spiritual direction.  Students explore the dynamics of Christian spirituality through reflection on their personal experience and integration of this with insights from the literature.  Graduates are equipped for the ministry of spiritual direction in the particular tradition.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction:

  1. have knowledge of the history, theory, content and dynamics of Christian spirituality;
  2. have knowledge of the art of spiritual direction, including the necessary dispositions of the spiritual director and key skills required;
  3. apply skills of spiritual direction under supervision;
  4. apply skills of spiritual direction within a range of contexts including retreats.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction consists of 144 points.

Course Structure Type Points
Program 1: WellSpring (through Whitley College)
DS8201W Art of Contemplative Practice 1 Core 24
DD8202W Art of Spiritual Companioning 1 Core 48
DD8203W Art of Spiritual Companioning 2 Core 48
Postgraduate units in any discipline Elective 24

Program 2: Siloam (through Yarra Theological Union)
DD8701Y Religious Experience and the Christian Spiritual Tradition Core 24
DD8703Y Personal Awareness and Human Development Core 24
DD8705Y Spiritual Direction Practicum I Core 24
DD8702Y Discernment and the Christian Spiritual Tradition Core 24
DD8704Y Personal Experience of God and Personal Ethics in Spiritual Direction Core 24
DD8706Y Spiritual Direction Practicum II Core 24

Program 3: Dayspring (through Uniting College for Leadership and Theology)
DD8740Z Contemplative Stance and Soul Care Core 24
CH8740Z History of Contemplative and Apophatic Spirituality Core 24
DD8741Z Spiritual Direction Praxis 1 Core 24
DD8743Z Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 1 Core 24
DD9743Z Beyond Beginnings of Spiritual Direction 2 Core 24
DD8742Z Spiritual Direction Praxis 2 Core 24

Program 4: St Francis College
DD8411Z Contemplative Presence Core 18
DD8412Z Spiritual Direction Foundations Core 18
DD8421Z Transformation of Heart and Mind Core 18
DD8422Z Attending to Emotions Core 18
DD8331Z Embodiment and Ethics in Spiritual Direction Core 18
DD8332Z Discernment in Spiritual Direction Core 18
DD8333Z Working with Dreams in Spiritual Direction Elective 18
DD8334Z Christian Mysticism in Spiritual Direction Elective 18
DD8440Z Integration in Spiritual Direction Formation Core 18

Successful completion of an undergraduate degree, or an approved equivalent.

The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction requires completion of 144 points (6 standard postgraduate units).

Fees for 2026 are $3,384 per standard unit or $20,304 for a full-time year (6 units).

Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.

Credit of up to 72 points may be granted towards this award.

Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.

Choose a Home College

St Francis College

Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

Whitley College

Yarra Theological Union

Study Modes

Courses can be delivered through a variety of modes, such as:

  • Face-to-face: This is the traditional mode of study where you attend your classes in person at a physical location.
  • Online: In this mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered online.
  • Mixed-modes: This combines both face-to-face and online units throughout your award.
  • Intensive: this involves completing a condensed amount of content over a shorter period of time. Intensives can be face-to-face or online.
  • Supervised Research: This involves independent research, which is supervised by one or more people with expertise in the field.

Course Duration

The standard full-time duration of the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction is one year. The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction must be completed in not less than one year and not more than three years from the date on which the course is commenced.
Standard Minimum Maximum
1 year
1 year
3 years

AQF Level:

Regulation:

Regulation 11 Awards, Courses and Units

Course Code:

CRICOS Code:

080411G

The table gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students admitted into this course. It provides data on all students who commenced study in the most relevant recent intake period.

Student profile for Semester 1, 2026

Applicant Background Number of Students Percentage of Students
(A) Past Higher Education Study 12 85.71%
(B) Past Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study 0 0%
(C) Recent Secondary Education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR 0 0%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered 0 0%
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor 0 0%
(D) Work and life experience 1 7.14%
International Students 1 7.14%
All Students 14 100.00%

You can compare other institutions with the University of Divinity to help inform your postgraduate study choices. ComparED is an initiative of the Australian Government. It’s powered by QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) surveys that draw data from real life student experiences from commencement of study through to employment.

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, students will receive an invitation to graduate. This entitles the graduate to wear the approved Academic Dress at the graduation ceremony, and to use the approved postnominals after their name.

Academic Dress

Gown: Black Bachelor gown

Headwear: Black trencher

Hood: None

Postnominals

GDSD

Enquire about this course