• Current Students
  • News & Events
  • Library
  • Bookshop
  • Current Students
  • News & Events
  • Library
  • Bookshop
Cart $0.00
0
0
Subtotal: $0.00
No products in the cart.
Filter by :
News
Courses
Staff
Events
  • About
  • Our Courses
  • Giving
  • St Marks Review
APPLY NOW ➤
  • About us
  • Our Courses
  • Giving
  • Chapel
  • Library
  • Current Students
  • Bookshop
  • St Marks Review
  • News and Events
  • About us
  • Our Courses
  • Giving
  • Chapel
  • Library
  • Current Students
  • Bookshop
  • St Marks Review
  • News and Events
Pastoral Counselling

Pastoral Counselling:

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

(Exit point only)

The Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling from Charles Sturt University offers training in professional counselling theory and practice within a theological framework. This course provides skills and experience for counselling and advanced pastoral care in various settings.


This course is part of an articulated program, which allows students to build on their studies to reach their desired level of qualification.

What does “Exit point only” mean?

It means that this course forms part of another course, in this case the Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Counselling.  You will first need to enrol in the Graduate Diploma.  After completing the four foundational units below, you will be eligible to exit the Graduate Diploma early, earning a Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling.

Award name:

Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling

Study Level:

Post Graduate

AQF Level:

Level 8

Credit Points

32

Duration

6 months

Charles Sturt Faculty:

Faculty of Arts & Education

Charles Sturt School

School of Theology

GRADUATE DIPLOMA
MASTER DEGREE

Career Opportunities

Charles Sturt University’s Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling offers training suitable for a variety of professions focused on supporting individuals, both within faith-based contexts and beyond. These professions include counselling, pastoral care, aged care, school welfare, grief counselling, care coordination, and chaplaincy within institutions or congregations. The course also provides a foundation for further study in the field or can be used as a pathway into ministry-related studies.

Admission & Credit
Entry Requirement
  • Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in theology, psychology or Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent. Applicants with degrees in any other disciplines are encouraged to apply.

OR

  • Applicants without an undergraduate degree may be considered, with evidence that they are able to undertake tertiary studies in this area (such as a letter of motivation and two professional or academic references).
Course Structure & Enrolment pattern

PART-TIME

Year 1 - Session 1
THL400 Pastoral Counselling Skills (8 cp)
THL420 Pastoral Counselling: Theory and Professional Issues (8 cp)

 

Year 1 - Session 2
THL428 Pastoral Counselling: Grief and Loss (8 cp)
THL435 Applied Pastoral Theology (8 cp)


For more details about the individual components of this course see Charles Sturt University School of Theology Handbook.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Be able to establish a safe pastoral counselling relationship and environment
  2. Be able to apply foundational communication and counselling skills within pastoral counselling situations
  3. Be able to address critically professional, ethical and theological issues relevant to pastoral counselling
  4. Be able to identify and evaluate critically complex problems in the pastoral counselling context
  5. Be able to evaluate critically the need and timing for referral to other relevant professionals
  6. Be able to demonstrate basic skills in self-reflective practice
  7. Be able to demonstrate responsibility and accountability for personal professional practice
Related Courses
Articulated Set
1604PC01 - Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling
1715PC01 - Master of Pastoral Counselling

Need more info?

If you need more information, or have any questions about this course, please do not hesitate to ask us about this course today.

Enquire now

Apply today!

Start your application today by following the application process on the Charles Sturt University website.

Apply here
Keep in touch with our eNews

© 2025  St Mark’s National Theological Centre

A PARTNER IN THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University,  CRICOS Provider: 00005F,  TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018 (Australian university)

Contact  |  Privacy  |  Safety  |  Disclaimer  |  Copyright  |  Accessibility  |  Shipping