Certificate of Professional Chaplaincy

Program Goal

The Certificate of Professional Chaplaincy program prepares students to qualify for a unique and demanding ministry. Those who are called and gifted by God can become Board Certified Chaplains or Certified Clinical Chaplains, serving as professionally competent and compassionate spiritual caregivers in healthcare facilities

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Professional Chaplaincy program, students will demonstrate the following program learning outcomes:

1. Ministerial and Public Leadership

Demonstrate a comprehension of and the capability to incorporate biblical leadership principles and theological insights with essential professional abilities crucial for successful ministry and leadership in the public sphere. This includes skills in administration, homiletics, education, pastoral care, evangelism, discipleship, and liturgy.

2. Chaplaincy Competency

a. Orientation to the healthcare system as a student function as a professional pastoral/spiritual caregiver in a healthcare facility.
b. Become effective in assessing and meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of patients/residents, family, and staff.
c. Develop communication skills in the area of interpersonal relationships.
d. Be prepared to competently and compassionately respond to the varied crises faced by patients/residents, families and staff.
e. Understand and respond to medical ethical issues.
f. Become a model of professional competence and high ethical standards as a pastoral/spiritual caregiver.

3. Personal & Spiritual Formation

a. Deepen one’s knowledge of and love for God, self, and others
b. Understand the dynamic process of spiritual transformation into Christlikeness
c. Cultivate a deeper intimacy with Christ in personal life through development and practice of spiritual disciplines (formational habits)
d. Exhibit an increasing degree of the fruit of the Spirit, that is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Admission Requirement
Those admitted to the Certificate of Professional Chaplaincy are required to have:
• M.Div or its equivalent
• A 2.5 grade point average for all previous studies

Completion Requirement
• Completion of 12 credit units with a 3.0 grade average
• Taking the classes in sequence, one at a time
• To obtain chaplaincy certificate, one must complete a one-year internship and pass an interview

Method of Instruction
The method of instructions is blended instruction, which is both on site, lecture based as well as online virtual live classes, and recorded lectures via traditional online methods. Students who have completed this course in countries other than the United States must come to the U.S. to take the final class, PT572 Clinical Pastoral Education 4, and must also complete their internship in the U.S. to acquire the American certification.

Required Credit Unit for Graduation
Core Course: 12 units
One year Internship
Total 12 units

Core Courses : Professional Chaplaincy Course (12 units)

● PT561 Clinical Pastoral Education 1 – Introduction to chaplaincy covers the biblical foundation for pastoral care, the spiritual formation of the Chaplain, hospital visitation dos and don’ts, active listening skills, the Chaplain’s role and identity, terminal issues, grief issues, and how to handle basic emergency situations.

● PT562 Clinical Pastoral Education 2 – This class looks at the professional and personal life of a healthcare Chaplain, spiritual assessment and charting, cross cultural ministry, ministry to staff, being a team player, ministry to surgical patients, general biblical principles on suffering and healing, and an overview of spiritual warfare.

● PT571 Clinical Pastoral Education 3 – This class covers the history of chaplaincy, healthcare policies and procedures, crisis counseling guidelines, medical ethics, family dynamics, responding to objections, funerals, and prayer in world religions.

● PT572 Clinical Pastoral Education 4 – In this final class, the focus will be on mental health ministry, social issues related to healthcare, ministry to the elderly, oncology ministry, professional boundaries, avoiding compassion fatigue, and establishing the Chaplain’s office.