Education
For those who wish to delve more deeply into the writings and practices of Contemplative Spirituality, Dayspring has recently added two educational programs. The Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality offers, over twelve months, an introduction to contemplative spirituality and its practices with a view to personal growth and development in one's Spiritual life. It includes two week-long residential intensives at the beginning of each semester, followed by four day-long sessions each semester (about a month apart and often using online video links). We teach concurrently a similar program on the same format that leads to a Graduate Certificate in Spirituality, a Higher Education award from the University of Divinity.
During the course of this year, those students who wish to progress into the training and formation program for Spiritual Directors will be engaged in a discernment process with staff to determine if they will be permitted to continue.
During the course of this year, those students who wish to progress into the training and formation program for Spiritual Directors will be engaged in a discernment process with staff to determine if they will be permitted to continue.
Training & Formation
Since its inception, Dayspring has been developing and refining an experiential and practice-focussed model of training through which people can become accredited Spiritual Directors. Dayspring's Diploma in Spiritual Direction is not a nationally accredited award, but it supports and upholds the standards for formation as a Spiritual Director set by the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction (AECSD).
Since October, 2017, Dayspring's programs of training for Spiritual Directors have been recognized by the AECSD as meeting their formation guidelines. Graduates of Dayspring's programs who take up the practice of Spiritual Direction are encouraged to bind themselves to the AECSD Code of Ethics and take out membership of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction (ANSD).
Since October, 2017, Dayspring's programs of training for Spiritual Directors have been recognized by the AECSD as meeting their formation guidelines. Graduates of Dayspring's programs who take up the practice of Spiritual Direction are encouraged to bind themselves to the AECSD Code of Ethics and take out membership of the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction (ANSD).
Entry to this program is open to those who have a heart to companion others on their spiritual journey and wish to gain the skills to do that well.
There is a variety of entry pathways and course options. Check out the details HERE.
Some may begin with our one-year Educational programs, either the Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality, or the University of Divinity's Graduate Certificate in Spirituality, but during the course of that year may feel a desire to go further into the Training and Formation program.
Others may begin with a view from the outset of becoming qualified as Spiritual Directors. Students may work towards Dayspring's Diploma in Spiritual Direction or the University of Divinity's Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction.
Through our relationship with the Uniting College of Leadership & Theology in Adelaide, a Member College of the University of Divinity, those wishing to advance their knowledge and practice can continue on to a Master in Spiritual Direction upon completion of their Graduate Diploma.
There is a variety of entry pathways and course options. Check out the details HERE.
Some may begin with our one-year Educational programs, either the Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality, or the University of Divinity's Graduate Certificate in Spirituality, but during the course of that year may feel a desire to go further into the Training and Formation program.
Others may begin with a view from the outset of becoming qualified as Spiritual Directors. Students may work towards Dayspring's Diploma in Spiritual Direction or the University of Divinity's Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction.
Through our relationship with the Uniting College of Leadership & Theology in Adelaide, a Member College of the University of Divinity, those wishing to advance their knowledge and practice can continue on to a Master in Spiritual Direction upon completion of their Graduate Diploma.
HIGHER EDUCATION AWARDS
Graduate Certificate in Spirituality
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction
Master of Spiritual Direction
Graduate Certificate in Spirituality
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction
Master of Spiritual Direction
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The Uniting College of Leadership and Theology in Adelaide is a Member College of the University of Divinity. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the UCLT and the University of Divinity, Dayspring's existing teaching staff are able to deliver the coursework for the above awards from the University of Divinity. Enrolments are open for commencement in Semester 1 of 2026.
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More About our Learning Programs
The heart of Dayspring's program is contemplative, emphasizing the importance of spiritual study, discernment, and prayer. Its focus is on the experience of a person's relationship with God, and on fostering this relationship as the foundation of one's life. Spiritual direction is seen as a contemplative ministry through which spiritual directors help others to notice and respond to God's movement in the personal and communal experiences of their everyday lives, and within all of creation. This approach to spiritual direction requires personal, interpersonal and spiritual maturity. It is understood as a significant, dynamic and potentially transformative process undertaken for the sake of the unfolding all of life.
The process includes:
The intake of students takes carefully selected participants who feel called to deepen their understanding of spiritual guidance and to further their spiritual growth. We expect that applicants will have some experience in giving and receiving spiritual guidance, and will have the maturity and life experience necessary to this ministry. We assume graduates will practice in a variety of ministry contexts.
While we will continue to offer the Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction as a basic preparation for the practice of Spiritual Direction, the Dayspring Community (WA) Inc. is pleased, in association with the Uniting College of Leadership & Theology, to offer the above qualifications in the Australian higher education sector.
Full details of the upcoming 2026 program will be available here soon.
Expressions of interest or requests for further information should be directed to the Rev'd Dr Cathie Lambert, Program Director, Dayspring - Mob: 0448 730 355 or by email : [email protected]
Objectives
By the completion of the training students will:
Requirements
The program provides training in spiritual direction for Christian ministry. Therefore, applicants will need:
Course duration
Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality : 1 year part time
Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction : 2 years part time
Graduate Certificate in Spirituality : 1 year part time
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction : 2 years part time
Master of Spiritual Direction : 4 years part time.
Tuition Components
Distance Mode
Fees
NON ACCREDITED COURSES
Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality - $5,000.
Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction - $10,000
Fees are payable in equal installments of $2,500 per semester.
Fees include all tuition and residential costs.
Fees need to be paid prior to the commencement of the semester.
(Fees do not include textbooks or prescribed reading texts).
Withdrawal after commencement will forfeit all fees for that semester.
ACCREDITED HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES
Enrollment for the Higher Education qualifications is through Uniting College of Leadership & Theology – see website unitingcollege.edu.au/ Fees can be paid up front to UCLT or deferred into the FEE HELP Scheme for payment through your Income Tax. The Part-time program involves 3 units across two semesters each year.
Assessment
Advanced Standing
A candidate who holds a Graduate Diploma deemed equivalent to a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction degree may also be granted advanced standing. The required Master of Spiritual Direction course components will be determined on an individual basis.
Application Process
Applicants need to:
a) Complete the this Dayspring Application Form
Once all documents have been processed, an Admission Interview will be scheduled.
PLEASE NOTE
At the conclusion of the first year of the course a discernment interview is held to determine whether students will be admitted to subsequent semesters of the Courses through Dayspring.
The heart of Dayspring's program is contemplative, emphasizing the importance of spiritual study, discernment, and prayer. Its focus is on the experience of a person's relationship with God, and on fostering this relationship as the foundation of one's life. Spiritual direction is seen as a contemplative ministry through which spiritual directors help others to notice and respond to God's movement in the personal and communal experiences of their everyday lives, and within all of creation. This approach to spiritual direction requires personal, interpersonal and spiritual maturity. It is understood as a significant, dynamic and potentially transformative process undertaken for the sake of the unfolding all of life.
The process includes:
- theology relevant to the ministry of spiritual direction within the Christian tradition
- an ecumenically based practicum with individual supervision
- significant academic and experiential background in diverse approaches to prayer;
- a holistic understanding of the human person and community with a breadth of exposure to real-life experiences and skills essential to the ministry of spiritual direction.
- a practice-based project.
The intake of students takes carefully selected participants who feel called to deepen their understanding of spiritual guidance and to further their spiritual growth. We expect that applicants will have some experience in giving and receiving spiritual guidance, and will have the maturity and life experience necessary to this ministry. We assume graduates will practice in a variety of ministry contexts.
While we will continue to offer the Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction as a basic preparation for the practice of Spiritual Direction, the Dayspring Community (WA) Inc. is pleased, in association with the Uniting College of Leadership & Theology, to offer the above qualifications in the Australian higher education sector.
Full details of the upcoming 2026 program will be available here soon.
Expressions of interest or requests for further information should be directed to the Rev'd Dr Cathie Lambert, Program Director, Dayspring - Mob: 0448 730 355 or by email : [email protected]
Objectives
By the completion of the training students will:
- have developed competency in providing spiritual direction from a contemplative stance
- be competent in leading others to integrate the spiritual disciplines into their own contexts
- have a working theology of spiritual direction
- be able to lead others in a variety of prayer and the contemplative traditions
- have the competency to establish a personal practice as a contemplative spiritual director
- comply with Australian national guidelines and code of practice for spiritual direction
Requirements
The program provides training in spiritual direction for Christian ministry. Therefore, applicants will need:
- A commitment to personal and spiritual development in oneself and others.
- Introductory working knowledge of Christian theology. (Prior completion of units in theology or biblical studies relevant to your tradition)
- Significant life experience
- Two professional recommendations.
- Scan of the highest educational qualification received
- Some experience of spiritual accompaniment work.
Course duration
Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality : 1 year part time
Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction : 2 years part time
Graduate Certificate in Spirituality : 1 year part time
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction : 2 years part time
Master of Spiritual Direction : 4 years part time.
Tuition Components
- One residential week in each semester
- Residentials will focus on both content and supervision
- One day per month in each semester - content and practicum work
- Online learning and Individual Study
Distance Mode
- Online participation possible for those in rural areas or outside Western Australia. In-person attendance at residentials is required.
Fees
NON ACCREDITED COURSES
Dayspring Certificate in Contemplative Spirituality - $5,000.
Dayspring Diploma in Spiritual Direction - $10,000
Fees are payable in equal installments of $2,500 per semester.
Fees include all tuition and residential costs.
Fees need to be paid prior to the commencement of the semester.
(Fees do not include textbooks or prescribed reading texts).
Withdrawal after commencement will forfeit all fees for that semester.
ACCREDITED HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES
Enrollment for the Higher Education qualifications is through Uniting College of Leadership & Theology – see website unitingcollege.edu.au/ Fees can be paid up front to UCLT or deferred into the FEE HELP Scheme for payment through your Income Tax. The Part-time program involves 3 units across two semesters each year.
Assessment
- Assessments include written reflections, critical reflections, oral participation, practicum reports and observation of the practice of spiritual direction in various contexts during supervision sessions.
- A Thesis or Capstone Project is completed at Masters’ level concentrating on spiritual direction in a specific context.
Advanced Standing
A candidate who holds a Graduate Diploma deemed equivalent to a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction degree may also be granted advanced standing. The required Master of Spiritual Direction course components will be determined on an individual basis.
Application Process
Applicants need to:
a) Complete the this Dayspring Application Form
- Provide a brief reflection on your spiritual journey as it has led you to consider this application.
- All referee responses will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to the applicant.
- These referees may be contacted by phone.
- Provide a scanned copy of highest educational qualification you have received.
- Return to the Program Director – the Rev'd Dr Cathie Lambert using this email link.
Once all documents have been processed, an Admission Interview will be scheduled.
PLEASE NOTE
At the conclusion of the first year of the course a discernment interview is held to determine whether students will be admitted to subsequent semesters of the Courses through Dayspring.
Dayspring acknowledges the role of the Noongar People as the traditional custodians of the land on which Dayspring Events are held. Dayspring recognizes their unbroken continuing connection to land, water and community, their efforts to preserve and strengthen their culture and language and pays respects to elders past present and emerging who share in this work.
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EMAIL: [email protected]
© Dayspring Community (WA) Inc. 2025
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website without the permission of the copyright owner.
EMAIL: [email protected]
© Dayspring Community (WA) Inc. 2025
