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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry

  • Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry provides graduate-level grounding in Christian Ministry, focusing on pastoral applications such as chaplaincy and spiritual direction. It emphasizes ethical responsibility and competence in pastoral practice.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
0.5 semester full-time, 1 - 3 semesters part-time
Course Code
4178
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Jan, Jul

About this course

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry offers students a unique opportunity to study at an Ecclesiastical Faculty recognised by the Holy See. The program is designed to provide students with graduate-level grounding in the Practice of Christian Ministry. It is usually completed over the course of two years in which students will apply their prior theological learning to the field of pastoral ministry.

The Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry represents an ideal qualification for those seeking to engage in pastoral ministry within the Church, particularly in the contexts of chaplaincy work, pastoral care programmes, spiritual direction, and safeguarding. Students in this program will gain the knowledge and skills to act with competence and ethical responsibility in the arena of pastoral practice.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University's minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University's Policy: Admissions.

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry applicants must also meet the following specific requirements:

  • An AQF7 qualification in theology or equivalent qualification.
  • For students without the prior study in the English language, IELTS of 7.0 in all bands.

Study locations

Sydney

Online

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply a specialized knowledge of the foundations and practice of ministry to varied pastoral situations
  2. Critically analyse, synthesise, and evaluate perspectives and methods pertaining to ministry in complex pastoral situations
  3. Independently, and within teams, exercise critical thought and high-level judgement in pastoral situations in a manner that demonstrates technical ministerial competence
  4. Communicate concepts and knowledge pertaining to ministry, in a succinct, contextualised and doctrinally coherent way, to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and
  5. Adapt their knowledge and skills to act with competence and ethical responsibility in the practice of ministry.

Career pathways

Career opportunities

A Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry can lead to careers in pastoral work, in healthcare organisations, chaplaincy (hospitals, prisons, schools, defence), pastoral counselling, or Church agencies.

Course structure

Program summary

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry students must complete a minimum of 100 Units of Credit.

  • CISP5110 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Psychology
  • CISP5260 Supervised Ministry Practicum and Integrity in Ministry

Students must also complete two electives in the Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Ministry.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

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