Professional Supervision

Professional Supervision at the University of Divinity forms supervisors who lead with integrity, compassion, and cultural awareness, welcoming practitioners from diverse backgrounds and upholding the values of equity and inclusion.

The course equips experienced practitioners to meet the growing need for reflective, ethical supervision across chaplaincy, health, education, ministry, spiritual direction, well-being, spiritual care, and other people-focused professions. Established in 2021 in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, it cultivates reflective and reflexive practice- personally, systematically, contextually, and spiritually, preparing supervisors to create safe, accountable, and supportive environments in both individual and group settings, online and in person.

Students are formed to safeguard the vulnerable, strengthen resilience and sustainability within the caring professions, and contribute to healthy, ethical working communities, with clear pathways for continued learning through the University.

Partnership for Professional Practice

The Professional Supervision program is offered as part of the University of Divinity’s Partnership for Professional Practice and is hosted by Whitley College.

While the program is coordinated through Whitley, students are welcome to undertake their studies through their existing Home College within the University.

For professionals in ministry, care, and leadership

This program supports those who serve others across ministry, chaplaincy, health, education, leadership, mission, and other caring fields, helping them strengthen their professional practice through reflective and accountable supervision. Graduates continue their work within organisations and denominations, or as independent practitioners.

Hear from Professional Supervision Students

Rev Meewon describes her Professional Supervision study experience as both transformative and empowering, especially for those serving in culturally diverse ministry settings. The lecturers and tutors created a learning environment that was “academically rigorous, deeply respectful, and genuinely responsive to cultural diversity.” As a pastor from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background herself, she found this approach invaluable. Today, Meewon serves as a professional supervisor for CALD pastors, mentoring and supporting leaders who face unique cultural dynamics in their ministry.

For Rev Dr Bill, investing in the growth of Christian leaders has been a lifelong calling. He enrolled in the University of Divinity’s Professional Supervision program in 2022, motivated both by his own desire for deeper reflective practice and by the Baptist Union of Victoria’s move toward structured supervision as a vital support for pastors. “Reflective practice has shaped my own leadership for years. This program helped me go deeper, and equipped me to create a safe, hospitable space for others to do the same.” Bill describes the program as encouraging, stretching, challenging, engaging, and profoundly supportive.

For Art Therapist and Supervisor Jo, the opportunity to study Professional Supervision arrived at a pivotal moment. With shifts occurring in the NDIS landscape, impacting the stability of her art therapy client base, Jo found herself discerning what the next chapter of her vocation might be. The impact of the program on Jo’s professional life was immediate and profound. She left feeling “thoroughly prepared and confident” in her ability to supervise well – an assurance that has since translated into flourishing work leading both group and one-to-one supervision sessions.