Diploma of Chaplaincy

The Diploma of Chaplaincy is an accredited qualification for aspiring chaplains in all contexts and endorsed by Chaplaincy Australia.

Course Description

Through this comprehensive course, you will receive theoretical and practical training on how to support to those in need and be equipped and empowered to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. 

A dynamic learning experience for chaplains-in-training, is available though a blend of online and live intensive study. All students studying the Diploma of Chaplaincy will attend mandatory intensives as a part of the course and will undertake a practical component of 100 hours working in a chaplaincy context.

dip chaplaincy

Course Structure

A full-time course structure is studied across two semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects completed in each semester. A part-time course structure is studied across two to four years, with one or two subjects completed in each semester.

The Diploma of Chaplaincy comprises of:

  • 5 subjects (50 credit points) of core subjects
  • 3 subjects (30 credit points) of specialisation or elective subjects

To qualify for award of the degree of Diploma of Chaplaincy a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 80 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

The 100-hour Chaplaincy Placement must commence in your final semester of study.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core Subjects (50 credit points)

Specialisation or Elective Subjects / 3 Subjects (30 credit points)

Electives

3 subjects taken from accredited AQF Level 5, 6 or 7 subjects offered by AC.

For more details on which subjects you can choose, see the current enrolment guide for this course.

Specialisation

Community Chaplaincy

3 subjects taken from accredited AQF Level 5, 6 or 7 subjects offered by AC in Chaplaincy:

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

Applicants admitted on the basis of their recent secondary education must demonstrate the completion of NSW Higher School Certificate or International Baccalaureate (or the completion of the interstate or overseas equivalent qualification and result) for admission into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 3 Certificate III or higher by an authorised institution or registered training organisation for admission into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study
Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a complete or partially complete higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion or partial completion of an AQF Level 5 Diploma (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into the Diploma of Chaplaincy.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

If you are under the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply to a prescribed program of non-award study on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate of this course.

If you are over the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.0 (with no score below 5.5 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Essential Requirements for Admission

  • 200 word Statement of Purpose for undertaking study.
  • Letter of Endorsement from current church leader or workplace.
  • Working with Children Check (WWCC).

For details of how to meet these essential requirements, check the How to Apply page.

Study Modes

Locations: Online, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth
Full-time Duration: 1 year
Part-time Duration: Up to 4 years
2023 Intakes: Nov Intake
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2, Nov Intake

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page.

Course Learning Outcomes

Demonstrated:

  • general understanding of key issues, recent scholarship and practices within the discipline area of chaplaincy, consistent with a Christian worldview;
  • depth of understanding of practical fieldwork;
  • technical and theoretical understanding of basic research principles and methods, and knowledge of research approaches used in the discipline area of chaplaincy.

Demonstrated ability to:

  • identify, analyse and synthesise theoretical knowledge in the discipline area of chaplaincy;
  • examine complex problems or presenting issues using appropriate methodologies and theories from the discipline area of chaplaincy;
  • employ specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives related to the discipline area of chaplaincy;
  • communicate effectively to transfer knowledge and specialised chaplaincy skills to peers, clients, and general audiences in diverse contexts;
  • apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills acquired within the specialist area of chaplaincy in a range of professional contexts;
  • work independently, responsibly and with the level expected in a broad range of professional and chaplaincy contexts;
  • collaborate in team projects to make a positive contribution toward social issues;
  • undertake self-reflection and evaluation of performance for the purpose of vocational development.

Chaplaincy Career Opportunities

Wherever there are people, chaplains are needed.

Sectors where chaplains work

This program equips you to become a Chaplain or pastoral carer in diverse areas such as: Schools, Street Chaplaincy, Sports, Universities, Workplaces, Aged Care, Ambulance, Arts, Defence Force, Community, Corrective Services, Courts, Cruise Ships, Disaster Relief, Fashion Industry, Airports, Food Care, Home Care, Hospitals, Mental Health, Mining, Police, RSL & Veterans, Rural, State Emergency Service and Shopping Centre Chaplaincy.

Pastoral care topics

Some of the topics you might cover when providing pastoral care include:

family and relationships, trauma, loneliness, death or dying, unemployment, disaster response, colleague tension, grief and loss, education and schooling, housing and accomodation, medical or physical health, career transition or relocation, domestic and family violence, addictive behaviour including drugs and alcohol, moral or ethical decision-making, self-harm or harm behaviour, suicide ideation, geographical separation issues as well as spiritual health or belief.



Alumni Story

“I really liked putting into practice what we were learning in our practical hours. I also liked that our trainers/facilitators/educators could all give examples through their own chaplaincy experiences to illustrate what we were being taught. It was good to be made to self-reflect. It’s an exercise I would usually avoid, but is beneficial – and of course necessary – for the role of a chaplain or pastoral carer.  I felt part of a family within our cohort.”

Alan Findlay,
Chaplaincy graduate

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Work-Integrated Learning

As part of the core subject EXP009 Professional Practice in Chaplaincy, students must arrange and undertake a 100 hour chaplaincy placement in an area of their choice and engage in professional supervision as a part of their training.

Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

Professional Accreditation

All Alphacrucis Chaplaincy training is endorsed by Chaplaincy Australia.

CRICOS Course Code: 094095K