Upon completion of this course, graduates will:

1. Be able to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge in pastoral counselling and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship in the field, including models of assessment and intervention, knowledge and integration of social contexts, referral and referral options, and suicide risk assessment and management
2. Be able to demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories, including theories and processes of psychotherapy/counselling, alternative modes of working with clients (e.g. telephone and real-time internet), and potential security and confidentiality issues
3. Be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of professional, ethical and theological issues in pastoral counselling, including the ethics of clinical practice and supervision
4. Be able to demonstrate in-depth understanding of the stages of human development, together with knowledge and integration of the range of understanding of human diversity, including culture, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, class, religion and ethnicity
5. Be able to demonstrate advanced cognitive skills in analysis, critical self-reflection and evaluation, and professional application of skills and knowledge in specialised and complex pastoral counselling situations, including grief and loss, crisis intervention, and couples and families
6. Be able to evaluate critically the integration of pastoral theology and pastoral counselling theory
7. Be able to demonstrate creativity and flexibility in working with the interface between psychological and spiritual dimensions within pastoral counselling practice.
8. Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of indigenous culture and history and its application in the pastoral counselling context
9. Be able to establish a therapeutic pastoral counselling relationship and environment
10. Be able to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional pastoral counselling practice
11. Be able to demonstrate a high level of autonomy, responsibility, and accountability for personal professional practice
12. Be able to demonstrate independent research, organisation, written and oral communication skills in the presentation of pastoral counselling papers
13. Be able to integrate critical analysis of appropriate literature with their own experience and knowledge in the field of pastoral counselling
14. Be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of research principles and methods applicable to pastoral counselling, and their application to chosen research question
15. Be able to design, plan and execute a substantial research-based project and/or piece of scholarship