Education / Degree Programs

Approximately one-quarter of theological schools in the United States offer some kind of formal training in chaplaincy. This list includes all of the programs we are aware of with information about the type of training available; please contact us if you have additional information. The Lab has contributed to several publications on chaplaincy education:

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Just getting started? Check out our free eBook Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Care, now available here.

Field guide for aspiring chaplains

You may also be interested in our series Field Guide for Aspiring Chaplains.

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Revising or starting a chaplaincy education program? Check out our free eBook Educating Effective Chaplains here, and more resources for educators here.

Please note

This listing of degree programs is provided solely for informational purposes; the only criteria for inclusion are 1) that a program be designed specifically to provide chaplaincy training and 2) be accredited by the appropriate accrediting body. The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab does not endorse any of these programs and their presence on this list should not be construed as a recommendation by the Lab. If you have questions or would like to notify us about new programs, let us know at info@chaplaincyinnovation.org.

You can sort this table by the column headers by clicking on each header. We have noted chaplaincy-specific degrees where possible; in some cases the credentials are best described in a general sense (i.e. just “MDiv,” “DMin,” etc.).

NameTraditionCityStateType of program
Abilene Christian UniversityChurches of ChristAbileneTXMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Academy for Jewish ReligionInterdenominational JewishLos AngelesCAMaster of Jewish Studies
Academy for Jewish Religion - CAInterdenominational JewishLos AngelesCAMDiv or equivalent with chaplaincy specialization
(N) Clinical Training Center
Acadia Divinity CollegeCanadian Baptists of Atlantic CanadaWolfvilleNSMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Advent Health UniversitySeventh-Day AdventistOrlandoFLMS in Spiritual Care
Ambrose Seminary of Ambrose UniversityChristian and Missionary AllianceCalgaryABMA with chaplaincy concentration
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical SeminaryMennonite Church USAElkhartINMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Ashland Theological SeminaryBrethren Church (Ashland, Ohio)AshlandOHMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Assemblies of God Theological SeminaryAssemblies of GodSpringfieldMOMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Associated Canadian Theological SchoolsInterdenominational ProtestantLangleyBCMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
B. H. Carroll Theological InstituteBaptistIrvingTXMDiv, MDiv in Chaplain Ministry, Master of Arts in Counseling and other related Masters
Baptist Seminary of KentuckyCooperative Baptist FellowshipGeorgetownKYMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Bayan ChicagoMuslimChicagoILMDiv with Islamic chaplaincy concentration
Berkeley Divinity SchoolEpiscopal ChurchBerkeleyCTMDiv
Beulah Heights UniversityNondenominational ProtestantAtlantaGAMDiv
Bob Jones UniversityNondenominational ProtestantGreenvilleSCMDiv with Military Chaplaincy Concentration and Preaching and Pastoral Ministry concentration
Boston College School of Theology and MinistryRoman CatholicBostonMAMDiv
Boston University School of TheologyUnited Methodist ChurchBostonMAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Brigham Young UniversityLatter Day SaintsProvoUTMA in chaplaincy
Brite Divinity SchoolDisciples of ChristFort WorthTXMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Campbell University Divinity SchoolCooperative Baptist FellowshipBuies CreekNCMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Candler School of TheologyUnited Methodist ChurchAtlantaGAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration; DMin with chaplaincy track
Carey Theological CollegeCanadian Baptists of Western CanadaVancouverBCMDiv and DMin
Central SeminaryAmerican Baptist Churches USA and Cooperative Baptist FellowshipShawneeKSChaplaincy certificates
Chaplaincy Institute of MaineAWAICPortlandMETwo Year Interfaith Chaplaincy Training
Charlotte Christian College and Theological SeminaryNondenominational ProtestantCharlotteNCMDiv or equivalent with chaplaincy specialization
Chicago Theological SeminaryUnited Church of ChristChicagoILChaplaincy certificate
Christian Theological SeminaryDisciples of ChristIndianapolisINMDiv, DMin and dual degree programs
Claremont School of TheologyUnited Methodist ChurchClaremontCAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Columbia Biblical Seminary of Columbia International UniversityInterdenominational ProtestantColumbiaSCMA in chaplaincy, MDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Denver SeminaryDenverCOMA in chaplaincy, MDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Duke University Divinity SchoolUnited Methodist ChurchDurhamNCMDiv, DMin
Earlham School of ReligionReligious Society of FriendsRichmondINMDiv in pastoral care
Eastern Mennonite SeminaryMennonite Church USAHarrisonburgVAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Emmanuel College, Toronto School of TheologyTorontoONMPS, MTS, MDiv
Erskine Theological SeminaryAssociate Reformed Presbyterian ChurchDue WestSCMDiv in Chaplain Ministry; Chaplaincy emphasis options in MA and DMin programs
Evangelical Theological SeminaryEvangelical Congregational ChurchMyerstownPAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Fletcher SeminaryMultidenominationalSan AntonioTXM.Div with concentration options in Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care, Biblical Studies, Cross-Cultural Ministry and Congregational Ministry
Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious EducationRoman CatholicBronxNYMA in Pastoral Care, MA in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling, MA in Pastoral Studies
Fresno Pacific Biblical SeminaryMennonite Brethren Church in North AmericaFresnoCAMDiv
Fuller Theological SeminaryMulti-denominational ChristianPasadena, Houston, and onlineCA, TX, and onlineMDiv with chaplaincy concentration (Pasadena and online); MA in Chaplaincy (Houston and online); DMin with healthcare chaplaincy cohort (online)
Garrett Evangelical Theological SeminaryMethodistEvanstonILMA in Pastoral Care and Counseling, with Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Track
Gateway SeminarySouthern Baptist ConventionOntarioCAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Grace School of TheologyChristianThe WoodlandsTXMDiv, incl. minor in chaplaincy; Certificate in Chaplaincy; MA in Chaplaincy; MA in Military Chaplaincy
Grace Theological SeminaryFellowship of Grace Brethren ChurchesWinona LakeINMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Graduate Theological UnionMultifaithBerkeleyCAChaplaincy certificate
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone UniversityInterdenominational ProtestantGrand RapidsMIMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Hartford International University for Religion and PeaceMultifaithHartfordCTM.A. and Certificate (recognized as MDiv equivalent by ATS); DMin with Chaplaincy specialization
Harvard Divinity SchoolCambridgeMAMDiv
Hebrew CollegeJewishNewton CentreMAN/A
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of ReligionReform JewishNew YorkNYMDiv or equivalent, no chaplaincy or chaplaincy-relevant specialization; clinical training center; accredited DMin in chaplaincy.
HMS Richards Divinity School Division of Graduate StudiesSeventh-Day AdventistRiversideCAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Hood Theological SeminaryAfrican Methodist Episcopal ZionSalisburyNCMDiv, DMin
Howard University School of DivinityNondenominational ProtestantWashingtonDCMDiv
Iliff School of TheologyUnited Methodist ChurchDenverCOMaster of Pastoral and Spiritual Care, MTS, MDiv, DMin
Institute of Buddhist StudiesBerkeleyCAMDiv with Chaplaincy Concentration
James and Carolyn McAfee School of TheologyCooperative Baptist FellowshipAtlantaGAMDiv with pastoral care concentration
Lancaster Theological SeminaryUnited Church of ChristLancasterPAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Liberty UniversityNondenominational ProtestantLynchburgVAMDiv, DMin in Chaplaincy Degree Program, Pastoral Counseling Certificate
Loma Linda UniversitySeventh Day AdventistLoma LindaCAMDiv or equivalent with chaplaincy specialization
Loyola University Chicago - Institute of Pastoral StudiesRoman CatholicChicagoILMDiv or equivalent with pastoral care specialization, relevant to chaplaincy; MA with chaplaincy specialization
Luther SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaSt. PaulMNMA with chaplaincy track; MDiv
Lutheran Theological Southern SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaColumbiaSCChaplaincy certificate
McMaster Divinity CollegeBaptist Convention of Ontario and QuebecHamiltonONMDiv with pastoral care concentration
Meadville Lombard Theological SchoolUnitarian Universalist AssociationChicagoILMDiv with Chaplaincy Concentration
Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist ConventionKansas CityMOChaplaincy DMin
Moravian Theological SeminaryMoravian Church in North AmericaBethlehemPAMA in chaplaincy
Multonmah UniversityChristianPortlandORMDiv with Chaplaincy Track
Nazarene Theological SeminaryKansas CityMOMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist ConventionNew OrleansLAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
New Saint Andrews College Nondenominational ProtestantMoscowIDN/A
New York Theological SeminaryMultifaithNew YorkNYMA in pastoral care
New York Zen Center for Contemplative CareNew YorkNew YorkCPE, Certificate in Buddhist Studies and a Masters in Pastoral Care and Counseling in conjunction with New York Theological Seminary
Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan CollegeInterdenominational ProtestantRochesterNYMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Northwest Baptist SeminaryFellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in CanadaLangleyBCMDiv
Oral Roberts University College of Theology and MinistryInterdenominational ProtestantTulsaOKMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityInterdenominational ChristianWest Palm BeachFLMDiv with chaplaincy concentration; MA in chaplaincy; Graduate Certificates
Oral Roberts University College of Theology and MinistryChurch of God (Cleveland, TN)ClevelandTNMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Carolina UniversityNondenominational ProtestantWinston-SalemNCMDiv with Tracks in Pastoral Studies, Military Chaplaincy, Hospital Chaplaincy, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, and Marriage and Family Chaplaincy
Pittsburgh Theological SeminaryPresbyterian Church USAPittsburghPAMA with pastoral care concentration
Portland SeminaryInterdenominational ProtestantPortlandORMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva UniversityOrthodox JewishNew YorkNYGraduate Program in Pastoral Counseling
Reconstructionist Rabbinical CollegeJewish Reconstructionist CommunitiesWyncotePACertificate in Congregational and Family Systems with the Council for Relationships, Certificate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy with the Council for Relationships
Regent University School of DivinityInterdenominational ProtestantVirginia BeachVAMDiv or equivalent with chaplaincy specialization
San Francisco Theological SeminaryPresbyterian Church USASan AnselmoCAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Seattle University School of Theology and MinistryInterreligious ChristianSeattleWAMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
Seminary of the SouthwestEpiscopal ChurchAustinTXMA in chaplaincy
Shasta Bible College & Graduate SchoolNondenominational ProtestantReddingCAMDiv with Concentrations in Pastoral and General Ministries and Military Chaplaincy
Shepherds Theological SeminaryNondenominational ProtestantCaryNCMDiv with Chaplaincy Concentration, DMin
Kairos UniversityNorth American Baptist ConferenceSioux FallsSDMDiv with pastoral care concentration
Southwestern Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist ConventionFort WorthTXMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
St. Andrew's CollegeUnited Church of CanadaSaskatoonSKMDiv, MTS, DMin
St. Bernard's School of Theology and MinistryRoman CatholicRochesterNYMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
St. Mary's Seminary and UniversityRoman CatholicBaltimoreMDMDiv, DMin
St. Stephen's CollegeUnited Church of CanadaEdmontonABAccredited DMin in chaplaincy
Starr King The Chaplaincy InstituteMultifaithBerkeleyCAInterfaith Chaplaincy Program, MDiv
The Chaplaincy InstituteMultifaithBerkeleyCAN/A
The Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaConservative JewishNew YorkNYN/A
Toronto School of TheologyInterreligious ChristianTorontoONMDiv or equivalent with pastoral care concentration
Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolEvangelical Free Church of AmericaDeerfieldILMA in chaplaincy
Union Theological SeminaryNew YorkNYMDiv, DMin in Chaplaincy
United Theological SeminaryUnited Methodist ChurchDaytonOHMDiv with pastoral care concentration
United Theological Seminary of the Twin CitiesUnited Church of ChristNew BrightonMNMDiv with chaplaincy concentration
University of the WestBuddhistRosemeadCAMDiv, PhD
Vancouver School of TheologyInterdenominational ProtestantVancouverBCMA in pastoral care
Vanderbilt University Divinity SchoolInterdenominational ProtestantNashvilleTNMDiv with Chaplaincy Track and Pastoral and Prophetic Congregational Leadership track, DMin in Integrative Chaplaincy
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazooMIMA in chaplaincy
Western SeminaryConservative Baptist Association of AmericaPortlandORMDiv with chaplaincy concentration