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Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health is a specialist professional development course designed to equip Christian leaders for the ministry of pastoral care for mental health in the local church and other ministry contexts.

This course, comprising four subjects at AQF levels 8-9, will equip students with a rigorous theological framework for pastoral care for mental health and wellbeing, and offers electives which integrate theological reflection with advanced skills in pastoral care.

The subjects in this course are also available at Level 9 for Doctor of Ministry candidates who wish to pursue a specialisation in this field within their degree.

DurationPart-time (up to two years)
Mode Hybrid Intensives
Course Level Australian Qualifications Framework Level 8
Subject LevelDelivered at Levels 8-9
Credit Points48 credit points
Early exit pointN/A
Admission Requirements
Academic Qualification: Completion of a 3-year bachelor degree or equivalent.
Fee-HelpEligible for FEE-HELP

Learning Outcomes

This course will equip you with advanced knowledge and understanding of pastoral care for mental health and wellbeing in the local church and other ministry contexts.

You will examine biblical theological frameworks for pastoral care for mental health and wellbeing which will inform your theological reflection in ministry practice, enabling you to apply advanced understanding in this area of pastoral care in formal ministry contexts and in the wider community.

The Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health entails three core subjects from a choice of four, and one elective, each worth 12 credit points.

Core subjects: (24 credit points)

  • PC137-812: Theological Perspectives on Mental Health; AND 
  • PC136-812: Theological Approaches to Wellbeing 

One of either: (12 credit points)

  • PC135-812: Pastoral Care for those with Mental Ill-Health; OR 
  • IN004-812: Mental Health issues in Christian Counselling 

Elective subjects: (12 credit points) 

Electives eligible for inclusion in this course are:

  • DE003-812: Disability, Theology, and Religion 
  • PC002-812: Pastoral Care 
  • PC003-812: Pastoral Skills and Methods 
  • PC008-812: Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministries 
  • PC050-812: Mentoring and Pastoral Care of Workers 
  • PC067-812: Spirituality for Christian Ministry 
  • PC093-812: Pastoral Care Field Education 
  • PC094-812: Practical Ministry Field Education 
  • PC095-812: Lay Ministry Field Education 
  • PC121-812: Theology for Everyday Life 
  • PC200-812: Pastoral & Church-Focused Ministry Project – 7,000 words 
  • PC204-812: Pastoral & Church-Focused Ministry Seminar 

Please note that these are the specified electives available in this course and cannot be replaced by other subjects.

Enquiries and Applying

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If you are a current student or Ridley graduate, please contact the Registrar’s Office for details of how to apply. 

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This is a course of the Australian College of Theology.

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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