Master of Spiritual Direction

Deeply engaged in the Ignatian tradition, spiritual direction is the process and practice through which a skilled individual helps another to grow in intimacy with God. It is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. Spiritual direction has a long and revered history in the Christian tradition and is understood as a ministry within the Church suitable for trained lay people, religious and ordained ministers.

The Master of Spiritual Direction provides a deep and broad understanding of the key themes and methodologies in spiritual direction, and a capacity to integrate that knowledge into professional practice.

You will develop advanced knowledge of the theological and scriptural foundations necessary for the ministry of spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition. You'll explore the dynamics of Christian spirituality through reflection on your personal experience, and integration of this with insights from the relevant literature and your professional context.

Two pathways are available to complete the degree, which is comprised of specified units (80 credit points), and a further 80 credit points through either a praxis or theory pathway*.

*Students wishing to progress to the praxis stream will be required to attend an interview upon completion of the unit THSP507 Spiritual Exercises - Praxis B to determine suitability. Suitability will be assessed on the basis on academic performance, capacity for discernment, reflective practice and relevant experience. Students who do not meet this criteria can complete the award via the Theory Stream, or alternatively exit with the Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction.