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Graduate Attributes

The course content is applicable to those involved in pastoral care in the local church such as the vocational ministry. It will develop the pastoral effectiveness of ministry workers in a context where mental health issues are prevalent. Upon completion of this course, students could enrol in a Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8) or a relevant Masters Degree (AQF Level 9) for further learning. 

Up to 2 Years Part Time

Flexible Delivery

48 Credit Points (4 Subjects)

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students.

Commendations

This course of study is both timely and much needed. There is a great, and growing, need for the church and its pastors and leaders, to engage in an intentional way with contemporary approaches to mental health and wellbeing in a theologically informed and articulate way. This is accompanied by an equally great and ongoing need for the church and its pastors and leaders to acquire and develop practical skills in this area. In providing an opportunity for this through the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health, Ridley College is serving the mission of Christ and his Church. Such a course will be welcomed and appreciated across the diversity of the church and beyond it.      

The Right Reverend Dr Bradly S Billings

Assistant Bishop - Anglican Diocese of Melbourne

Psychological distress and mental illness are real problems in our society, and if the church wants to minister to people at their points of pain, then this is undoubtedly one place where it is sorely needed.  Unfortunately, psychology and theology have not always been good partners, each being sceptical of the other, and this has severely hampered the churches response.  This course will provide participants with the intellectual, theological and psychological framework necessary to engage meaningfully and empathically with people suffering with mental illness and contribute significantly to the possibility of their healing and restoration.   

Dr David Clarke

Professor of Psychological Medicine - Monash University

Learning Outcomes

Professional Development

Teaching Faculty

HARROWER_Scott_2020

Rev Dr Scott Harrower

Lecturer in Christian Thought

Scott worked in trauma and emergency departments in Melbourne’s major hospitals before studying at Ridley College and becoming an Anglican minister. He was brought up by missionary parents in Argentina and has wide-ranging ministry experience in several countries. Scott has a PhD in theology and teaches theology, ethics, and history at Ridley.
Over the past few years Scott has been studying psychology in the USA and in Australia for his professional development, and has written three books on the relationship between psychology and theology.

Grant

Dr Grant Bickerton

Psychologist

Grant is a psychologist with over 15 years’ experience in Christian ministry with Power to Change (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) in Australia and overseas. Grant is currently applying findings from his research at the University of Western Sydney investigating the organisational, psychological, and spiritual variables that promote work engagement and personal well-being among Australian Christian workers. He is a registered member of the Psychology Board of Australia, the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and the Christianity and Psychology interest group of the APS.

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Ridley College is an affiliated college with the Australian College of Theology, CRICOS Provider Code 02650E.

As an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology, Ridley College is approved to deliver the following courses of the ACT (CRICOS 02650E)

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Ridley College campus is built.
Ridley College is an affiliated college with the Australian College of Theology, CRICOS Provider Code 02650E.
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