How to Study to Become a Chaplain

Chaplains must be educated at least to graduate level, regardless of their religion.

A chaplain is an ordained minister who works within an institution or community, providing religious and spiritual care to all its members and their families. Traditionally Christian, but increasingly from a number of other faiths as well, the chaplain's main role is to offer moral, emotional, spiritual and personal guidance to members of a workplace community no matter what their religion. Chaplains also offer specific religious services, but the pastoral care is paramount.

Instructions

1. Decide on your career goal. Chaplains work in specialized types of institutions requiring different skills, experience and mindsets. If you apply for a job with the U.S. Army, for example, you may be required to complete some basic military training first. There's a wide-ranging list of potential workplaces to choose from including all the armed forces, hospitals, prisons, universities and colleges.

2. Get your bachelor's degree. This is an essential requirement to be a chaplain. There are two ways to study for a chaplaincy appropriate degree. You can opt for a faith-based institution or apply to the Religious and Theological Studies department of a secular university or college. Religiousandtheologicalstudies.com has a comprehensive directory of colleges and courses.

3. Choose a Bachelor of Theology degree. Although general religious studies programs cover areas, such as contemporary religion, scriptural languages and philosophy, these are often broad topics more suited to someone majoring in English, history or politics.

   Bachelor of Theology courses, on the other hand, specifically have been designed for aspiring chaplains and ministers. These programs lead naturally onto graduate studies, such as the Master of Divinity degree, and give future chaplains a good educational advantage.

4. Choose an accredited course or institution. According to the U.S. Department of Education, "accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains standards requisite for its graduates to ... achieve credentials for professional practice." The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, chea.org, has a comprehensive list of approved institutions and is a great place to start.

5. Always choose programs that include Clinical Pastoral Education. Just as hospital residencies are an essential part of doctors' training, chaplains must complete supervised field experience This also can count as an academic credit.

6. Study for your masters. All institutions require graduate-level degrees in Religious or Theological Studies. You can be a part-time or full-time student and there are plenty of places offering programs that fit around workers' schedules. The Association of Professional Chaplains has a useful index page, professionalchaplains.org, as well as its own information about becoming a chaplain.

Tips & Warnings

• Your work experience alone doesn't qualify you to work as a chaplain. It doesn't matter how long you may have worked in the field, you must have a bachelor's and masters degree as well.

References

• Degree Directory
• Religious and Theological Studies
• U.S. Army Chaplains
• Association of Professional Chaplains
• U.S. Department of Education
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation