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 (recognising that such academic qualifications need to be supplemented by significant life experience, spiritual maturity, ongoing supervision and professional development for individuals to function as effective directors).
About This Course
Do you have a heart for accompanying others in their spiritual walk?
In a fast-paced and consumerist culture, people of all walks are hungering for a grounded spiritual journey. Spiritual direction is an ancient practice where through hospitable conversation, 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 human development, growth in contemplative living, 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 ESDA, ANSD, or AECSD
Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the ministry of spiritual direction in relation to the Christian tradition, including Scriptural and theological foundations, development of the human person, and different theories and praxis of spiritual direction
Skills
- Demonstrate cognitive and creative skills to engage in theological reflection, including an ability to reflect critically on and integrate ministry experience and personal spirituality with reference to the Christian tradition
- Demonstrate a broad range of cognitive, creative and communication skills associated with the ministry of spiritual direction, including empathetic listening, spiritual and pastoral sensitivity, and reflection leading to increased self-awareness.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
- Prepare for, implement and evaluate spiritual direction sessions, demonstrating well-developed communication and reflective skills, and in line with the AECSD code of ethics for spiritual directors
Formation
- Critically reflect upon their own spiritual development and growth in a contemplative approach to life, and evaluate their vocational direction
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
6
Core
2
ELECTIVES
Core
- MTR290.9 Theological Reflection
- 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
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 long does it take?
6 months full-time or 2 years 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.
How much does it cost?
Learn more about
fees and available payment options.
When can I start?
Semester 1 – February
Semester 2 – July
Additional Information
COURSE CODES
Tabor: TM814S
SATAC: Not applicable
COURSE LEVEL
Postgraduate Course
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