Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care

Course Duration
  • 2 years full-time
  • Up to 6 years part-time
AQF and Course Codes
  • Masters Degree (AQF 9)
  • CRICOS: (N/A)
Tuition Fees
AU$40,608
at 2026 fees
Next Intake
February, July
Apply

Apply now to begin to begin your study journey

Course Overview

The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care enables students to apply an advanced body of knowledge and skill in pastoral care in relation to broader theological studies. Students broaden their knowledge and skills and deepen their engagement with select areas of study to prepare themselves for professional practice and further learning.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care:

  1. have advanced knowledge of sources, terms and concepts required in pastoral care, and of the relation of pastoral care to broader theological studies
  2. have mastery of research principles and methods, including analytical skills applicable to pastoral care
  3. have advanced skills of interpretation and critical reflection on a range of approaches and methodologies in pastoral care, with awareness of implications and application to contemporary issues in professional ministry, in order to generate and evaluate ideas for professional practice and further learning
  4. articulate and communicate knowledge and insights in pastoral care to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  5. apply relevant skills in pastoral care through the execution of a substantial research-based project, capstone experience or piece of scholarship.

Course Structure

The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care consists of 288 points.

Course Structure Points
Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Biblical Studies 24
Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Systematic Theology 24
Postgraduate foundational units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies 24
Postgraduate units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies 72
Either:

  • An additional 72 points of postgraduate elective units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Or:

  • A 24 point Research Methodology unit (either DP9734W or RQ9021Z or equivalent); and
  • RQ9748M Minor Thesis
 72
A Capstone unit (at least 24 points) 24
Further postgraduate units in any discipline

One of: 

a) An undergraduate degree

b) Graduate Certificate from the University of Divinity.

Probationary admission is not available.

The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care requires completion of 288 points (12 standard postgraduate units).

Fees for 2026 are $3,384 per standard unit or $20,304 for a full-time year (6 units). The total cost of the course at 2026 fees is $40,608.

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

Credit of up to 144 points may be granted towards this award.

Exemption without credit may be available as follows:

Prior qualification or training Maximum points Specific application
Professional experience 48 A candidate who has at least two years’ full-time (or part-time equivalent) pastoral or ministry experience may be exempted from the requirement to complete 48 points of postgraduate units in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. The candidate must still complete 288 points.

Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.

Choose a Home College

Catholic Theological College

Pilgrim Theological College

St Barnabas College

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 Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care is two years. The Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care must be completed in not less than two years and not more than six years from the date on which the course is commenced.
Standard Minimum Maximum
2 years
2 years
6 years

AQF Level:

Regulation:

Regulation 11 Awards, Courses and Units

Course Code:

CRICOS Code:

N/A

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.

This course did not have any new students commence in the most recent semester.

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 Masters gown

Headwear: Black trencher

Hood: Jade

Postnominals

MPSC

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Empty Response. No Repeater Items Found
A

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