Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health

The Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health offers specialised training in pastoral responses to mental health and wellbeing with a focus on preventative and reactive strategies.

Awareness of mental health issues in the church and the wider community is growing, yet ministry workers report feeling under-equipped to care effectively for those experiencing mental health challenges.

Christians working in health care, particularly those working in the area of mental health, are also seeking further training to gain a theological framework for what they do in their everyday professions.

There are also Christians working in school settings who have pastoral care and wellbeing responsibilities who are seeking to reflect upon these matters from a theological perspective.

Is there a context in which these groups can be brought together? Where they can learn from one another? We believe there is.

It is designed to be a professional development course for men and women who work in ministry, professional health care workers, and Christians working in schools. The course also aims to equip students with a rigorous theological framework for mental health and wellbeing that is biblically grounded.

While the primary focus of Mary Andrews College has been equipping women for ministry, this Graduate Certificate is designed for both female and male students.

As an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology (ACT), Mary Andrews College is approved to offer the ACT’s Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health course.

The Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health is an AQF Level 8 course in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Who is the course for?

• Ministry workers seeking a greater understanding of mental health challenges and appropriate pastoral responses.

• Christians working in schools with pastoral care and wellbeing responsibilities.

• Christians working in the area of mental health seeking a theological framework for their professional practice.

• Anyone who would like to grow in a biblical and theological understanding of mental health and wellbeing.

Course structure

A maximum of 2 years part time (48 credit points)

This course comprises a total of 4 units (48 credit points).

Units in this course are completed at AQF Level 8 and above.

Primary Course Discipline Units:

• 24 credit points in:

  • Theological Perspectives on Mental Health (PC137-812)

  • Theological Approaches to Wellbeing (PC136-812)

• 12 credit points in:

  • Pastoral Care of those with Mental Ill-Health (PC135-812)

Elective Units:

• 12 credit points in specific electives, including:

  • Pastoral and Church-Focused Ministry Seminar: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on Trauma (PC204-812)

  • Disability and the People of God (DE028-812)

Elective units offered will change every year or so at MAC. (For a full list of possible elective units, see the ACT website: https://www.actheology.edu.au/course/GCPCMH20/.)

In 2024 the elective unit offered at MAC is Pastoral and Church-Focused Ministry Seminar: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on Trauma (PC204-812).

Time commitment

This Graduate Certificate can be undertaken over a maximum of 2 years part time.

Each unit requires 150 demand hours. This includes 36 hours of class time, plus additional time for completing required readings as well as researching for and writing your assignments.

Admission requirements

Academic Qualifications:

• Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent

• OR Alternative admission to the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health on individual application to the ACT Registrar including 5 years’ ministry or relevant industry experience (paid or unpaid); and written support of a referee who holds a relevant Masters degree from the ACT or equivalent; and successful completion of a previous qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; and being at least 25 years of age. Requirements for demonstration of academic suitability is determined at the discretion of the ACT Registrar, who will only admit applicants on a case by case basis who in the ACT Registrar’s belief are likely to be successful in AQF Level 8 units.
  The principles considered in assessing an application under this clause include:

• accommodating student diversity by including the under-representation and/or disadvantage experienced by identified groups and creating equivalent opportunities for academic success regardless of students’ backgrounds; and

• specific consideration for the recruitment, admission, participation and completion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

• ensuring that admitted students have the academic preparation needed to participate in their intended study, and no known limitations that would be expected to impede their progression and completion.

Language Qualifications for Non English Speaking Background (NESB) Students: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work.

For further information, refer to the ACT’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.