Emmaus Program for the Formation of Professional Supervisors
Award: Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision – Emmaus (University of Divinity)
Delivery: 12 months, In-person & Online
The Emmaus Supervision Program at Heart of Life is a unique and profound journey. Along the way you’ll discover the art of being a great supervisor. You’ll dive into the theory and be immersed in a community of practice. Supported small group work provides a powerful learning environment. Creative approaches to supervision through lived experience equip you in reflective practice. You’ll graduate with confidence, wisdom and skill to provide discerning, competent, professional supervisory accompaniment.
Religious organisations and churches are now required to ensure all people engaged in ministry have access to independent professional supervision. Religious Sisters and Brothers, Ministers, Priests, pastoral care practitioners, chaplains, spiritual directors and spiritual health workers all need space to reflect on their work in the safe, supportive and rigorous context of professional supervision. Heart of Life fosters a discerning, contemplative and spiritual approach to the formation of supervisors who are able to reflection on soul, role and context.
The program is shaped by the encounter of the two disciples with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). In supervision, people in ministry set out with companions to reflect on recent experiences in their work environment. Along the way, their story is heard. Jesus helps develop big-picture perspective and contextual awareness. They open the door of their hearts and at a companionable table, bread is broken and new insights are gained. With clarity, they can return to the work context renewed. Emmaus graduates know how to walk alongside another and facilitate a process to enable recognition of what may be hidden, opening eyes and renewing energy and integrity for ministry.
Emmaus students are people of varying faith and cultural traditions. The program will suit those who have at least five years’ experience in their particular ministry and are now being called on to supervise others. You might be supervising ministry trainees, novices, curates or pastors and are keen to develop your skills and competence. You might be ready to establish a professional supervision practice to provide supervision to spiritual directors, people in ministry, chaplains, priests, religious or pastoral workers.
The Emmaus Program is delivered in-person or online via Zoom over a 12-month period and can be studied as a fully accredited Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision (Emmaus) through the University of Divinity’s School of Professional Practice or as a Heart of Life audit student.
The year begins with a two-day introduction/orientation in February, followed by four x 5-day intensives (Feb/March, April/May, July/Aug, Sept/Oct) and finishing with a two day in-person retreat in November. Each afternoon will be practical workshop-style encounters where you will gain concrete hands-on experience to work with others in contemplative listening and supervision experiences. The entire program provides over 160 hours of interactive class time, providing an excellent foundation from which to develop your professional supervision practice.
Emmaus is recognised as a Registered Supervisor Training Program by the Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS).
We are receiving applications for studies in 2024/25.
Places in the program are limited – we recommend that applications be submitted as early as possible. Late applications will be considered on their merits.
Full course fee information is provided in the Emmaus brochure below:
Our recently published Celebrating 40 Years book contains heartfelt reflections by Heart of Life graduates, sharing the deep effects that their formation has had in their lives, on those around them, and in their ministry. These personal accounts share the richness and depth of personal and spiritual transformation that ‘going deeper’ offers.
They challenged me in many ways to discover myself, breaking into my insecurities and vulnerabilities which otherwise I wouldn’t have known existed.’
-Joshva Gopini msc
To read this reflection in full, download PDF, or purchase Celebrating 40 Years: Reflections on a Ruby Anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Emmaus Supervision Program accredited by a body such as AAOS?
The Emmaus Supervision Program has been recognised by the Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS) as a Recognised Supervisor Training Program. Completing the Emmaus course exceeds the recommended hours for theory and practice set by AAOS. Unlike some other supervision training programs, Emmaus graduates will have the requisite training hours to register as an AAOS Supervisor upon completion of the program, if graduates already have three years’ experience as a supervisor.
What is the process for gaining a place in the program?
Generally, we recommend the following:
1/ You have had experience of being in supervision.
2/ You sense a call to become a supervisor.
3/ Attend a Taster session if possible – these are generally held in June and August each year and are publicised on our website.
4/ Have a conversation with us before you submit your application.
5/ Complete and submit application, no later than 14 January 2024.
6/ Attend interview.
7/ Undertake psychological test as directed.
8/ Based on steps 5-7, receive an Offer of a Place.
Testimonials
There are many great definitions about Pastoral supervision and what I am learning by being part of the Emmaus Professional Supervision Program. In my own words, it would be ‘in a safe place where I re-visit / re-write the stories of my own practice with the gentle guidance of (a) supervisor/s. Where I can experience ‘joy of being vulnerable’. It is here that we invite and allow God’s Spirit to operate. It is here that with a grateful heart I name my gifts and humbly learn from my mistakes/weaknesses and return to where I came from with new meaning and enthusiasm. It is here that I am learning how to work so that both supervisor and supervisee are receiving God’s Grace (equally and differently).
I can highly recommend the Emmaus program at Heart of Life. The foundation I receive in the weekly classes and the intensives are excellent, in enabling me to become a Supervisor. Not only am I learning but I find the material challenging, exciting and also interactive. Supervision case studies by others in the Emmaus program, are opening so many areas beyond knowledge to the Charism of the Heart. It is a gentle course that calls each participant to continue to be a listener to oneself and to others.
I chose the Emmaus Supervision Program because it offers a healthy mix of the theory of supervision and the practice, with the emphasis being on practice (up to 80 hours through the course). The bulk of these hours are done face to face, in small groups and with supervisees. Some classes have online options. The groups are multi-faith, multi-cultural and practice in a reflective, contemplative way. They provide many challenges, insights, and laughs, and are a great way of learning. The Emmaus Team are all experienced supervisors and model reflective, collaborative practice. They are professional, genuine, approachable, and supportive.