Course Overview

About This Course

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision provides comprehensive training in pastoral and clinical supervision for professionals in the ministry and helping professions. This course facilitates an ongoing conversation between a person's motivation, role responsibilities, and contextual factors affecting practice. It focuses on the systemic wellbeing of practitioners, supervisees, and organisations. Through a blend of theory and practical application, delivered via intensive group learning days, follow-up video lectures, and small group workshops, you will explore different models of professional supervision applicable in clinical, community, and pastoral contexts. This course is designed for experienced practitioners in counselling, ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral settings, and other people-helping professions. The course draws on Alphacrucis University College's (AC) expertise in social science and record of educating successful community service practitioners across a range of contexts. The course introduces students to a broad range of people-helping technical and theoretical concepts from a Christian worldview.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

30 Cowper Street, NSW (Alphacrucis College Limited)

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Higher Education Study: Completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline by an authorised institution.
Professional Entry – Applicants who do not meet academic requirements: Demonstrate a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in a managerial or professional leadership role. Applicants must submit a copy of their CV with a cover letter outlining how they meet the above criteria, or equivalent. This is an alternate pathway for applicants who do not meet other academic requirements.
International Students – Language Requirements: IELTS (or equivalent) Score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.0 in any of the four skills areas).
Proof of Identity: Applicants must submit a proof of identity document for every application. Accepted forms of identification: Birth Certificate, Passport (current and valid). A supporting document must be submitted in addition to the identity document if an applicant's name is different on their primary document (Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate). AC does not accept a driver's license or photo card as sufficient ID.
Statement of Purpose: Applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose (minimum 150 words) explaining why you would like to be considered for entry into this course, what relevant experience or previous study you have in this area, what your understanding of the course is, and what it is you hope to gain from studying this course.
Letter of Endorsement: Applicants are required to provide two (2) referees they have known in a professional capacity for a minimum of 2 years to endorse your readiness and suitability to complete professional supervision training and placement. Examples of appropriate leaders include pastors, ministers, employers or managers.
Working With Children Check (WWCC): Applicants must provide a valid Working With Children Check (or state-based or overseas equivalent) for admission into this course of study. Students will be classified as a 'volunteer' in Education. Students must also submit a Police Check before enroling into a placement subject.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Many organisations are now required to provide professional supervision for their staff, making career opportunities abundant wherever professional caring roles are found. Your qualifications will open doors to roles such as: Clinical Supervisor (Guide and support healthcare professionals in clinical settings), Pastoral Supervisor (Offer brave spaces to benefit the wellbeing of pastoral staff and volunteers), Counselling Supervisor (Provide supervision and support to counsellors in various contexts), Community Service Supervisor (Provide opportunities for reflective practice to individuals and teams within the community), Educational Supervisor (Support and develop teaching staff and educational leaders).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units4 units

SSC461

Introduction to Professional Supervision

This unit delves into the theories and models of professional supervision, emphasising the development of supervisory relationships and the integration of sociocultural and ethical considerations. Students will engage in reflexive practice as supervisors, gaining insights that foster their capabilities in clinical, community, pastoral, and various industry settings.

SSC562

Professional Supervision in Practice

This subject focuses on the development of skills and practice for the provision of professional supervision. You will learn to apply your developing knowledge of theories and Professional Supervision for both individual and group supervision relevant to a range of contexts including clinical and pastoral settings. Additionally, this subject fosters a commitment to ongoing professional development and self-care, essential for maintaining high standards in supervisory roles.

SSC560

Supervision of People Helpers

This unit consists of a 40-hour professional supervision placement that provides opportunity to develop the practitioner to work within the learned supervisory models. This subject provides an opportunity to enhance practice skills and examine professional and ethical issues under the guidance of a professional supervisor.

SSC561

Professional Accountability for Supervisors

This subject is a co-requisite subject with the professional supervision placement unit (SSC560), offering fortnightly group supervision classes to support your placement. This unit develops integration of theoretical learning with real-life practice experiences. It oversees the alignment of practice with industry practice standards through reflexive practice development and ethical considerations.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision accredited by any professional bodies?

Yes, the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision is accredited by the Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS) and Psychotherapy & Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA). The course is also accredited by TEQSA until 2028.

What does the placement component involve and how many hours are required?

Students are required to undertake 40 hours of professional placement as a supervisor-in-training, participating in both individual and group supervision (face-to-face: in-person or online live) as 'supervision on supervision'. Students are usually required to find their own workplace/employer/mentor to be approved by AC. In some cases, a new aspect within a student's current paid employment may be suitable as a work placement.

Who is the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision designed for?

This course is designed for experienced practitioners in counselling, ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral settings, and other people-helping professions, including Ministers and Pastors looking to provide reflective practice support, senior practitioners in chaplaincy, counselling and community work wanting to develop supervisory skills, professional coaches seeking a new way to support professionals, and those seeking to support the next generation of leaders and carers.

What are the fees for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision and is FEE-HELP available?

The course costs $3,150 per subject, and FEE-HELP is available for eligible domestic students. The course comprises 4 subjects totalling 40 credit points.

Can I apply without a bachelor's degree?

Yes, there is a Professional Entry pathway for applicants who do not meet the academic requirement of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree. Under this pathway, you must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in a managerial or professional leadership role, and submit a copy of your CV with a cover letter outlining how you meet the above criteria, or equivalent.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

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