Professional Outcomes
Graduates may seek employment as spiritual directors both within and outside of the church. The award provides the necessary academic grounding for people to start their own spiritual direction ministry or to weave contemplative formation and gifts into their current and future vocation.
About This Course
Do you have a heart for accompanying others in their spiritual walk?
What gives your life meaning right now? Where do you sense invitations to love? How are you doing with the realities of your life? These and other questions are engaged in a spiritual direction conversation. Spiritual direction is an ancient practice where one person helps another discern and respond to God’s presence in the sacred stories of daily life. Grounded in the Christian tradition, Tabor’s Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction forms people for this ministry.
Our course focuses on the formation of the whole person. It enables ongoing reflection upon the student’s growth in contemplative living, human development, and calling to this ministry. It provides an advanced understanding of the nature and practice of spiritual direction. And it develops competency in deep listening to foster attentiveness and courageous response to God’s invitations.
Our approach to learning is contemplative and experiential. We engage with the best of contemporary scholarship in spiritual direction studies, and provide safe hands-on learning through quality supervision and peer participation.
The Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction provides excellent vocational grounding as a stand alone course, and may also serve as a bridge into further coursework programs, such as the Master of Ministry.
Tabor partners with respected programs such as Listen Into Life and Soul Journey Companions (Barnabas Ministries in NSW/ACT) and Tending the Holy (House of Prayer in QLD to grant their graduates Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for up to 50% of their Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction. Students from other programs may also be eligible for a similar arrangement; please contact us on (MPAdmin@adelaide.tabor.edu.au) to discuss Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) options.
Read Rachael’s experience of the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction.
- Looking for a spiritual director? Contact us, or connect with ANSD
Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of spiritual direction in relation to the Christian tradition, and human development
Skills
- Apply spiritual direction skills, including appropriate communication skills, within a range of contexts.
- Display professionalism in spiritual direction practice in complains with a code of ethics for spiritual directors.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
- Prepare for, implement and evaluate spiritual direction sessions, demonstrating well-developed communication and reflective skills.
- Reflect critically on spiritual direction practice using a variety of models within group and 1-1 supervision settings.
Formation
- Show and awareness of one’s own vocation and spiritual growth in light of a contemplative approach to life.
Related Courses
Graduate Certificate in Divinity
Postgraduate Course
With its focus on the Christian scriptures, theology and church history, the Graduate Certificate in Divinity is an excellent choice for students seeking a short and flexible study option designed to awaken and inspire a greater passion for Christian ministry and service.
More Information
Graduate Diploma in Divinity
Postgraduate Course
The Graduate Diploma in Divinity has proven to be a worthwhile choice for those seeking a flexible and accommodating study option which awakens and inspires a greater passion for Christian ministry and service.
More Information
8
Unit Total
5
Core
3
ELECTIVES
Core
MTO243.8 Christian Spirituality
TM8353 Introduction to Spiritual Direction
TM8356 Formation for Spiritual Direction A
TM8357 Formation for Spiritual Direction B
TM8358 Formation for Spiritual Direction C
Introduction to Spiritual Direction, and Formation A, B and C must all be completed on campus.
Electives
Elective 1
Elective 2
Elective 3
Options vary and are subject to availability.
Where can I study?
You can study on campus Adelaide – Millswood SA, or online.
Field education placement is a requirement of this course and is offered at:
How much does it cost?
Learn more about
fees and available payment options.
Application Process:
Applications may be accepted up to two weeks after the semester begins.
Click here to access the current Academic Calendar.
How long does it take?
2 Years full-time or part-time equivalent.
*Not available full-time in every intake.
What do I need for entry?
Successful completion of a 3 year bachelor’s degree or postgraduate award in any discipline
OR
Successful Recognition of Professional Experience (RPE) application which takes into account any relevant formal or informal study and/or experience; AND
Successful interview process which includes submission of a personal spiritual formation essay, three references and an interview with the Head of Program and members of the GDSD Supervision Team.
Successful receipt of fit-to-proceed from Head of Program after Introduction to Spiritual Direction unit.
When can I start?
Semester 1 – February
Semester 2 – July
Additional Information
COURSE CODES
Tabor: TM814S
SATAC: Not applicable
COURSE LEVEL
Postgraduate Course
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
This qualification is TEQSA accredited and is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework