Many well-known U.S. schools offer degree and certificate programs for chaplains. From Ivy League schools like Harvard University to Jesuit institutions such as Loyola University Chicago, students can find programs that suit their religious values and career goals.
Chaplain Career Overview
Obtaining education and training are the first steps toward ordination as a Chaplain. Chaplains work in many arenas, including hospitals, universities and the military. Based on job listings for chaplains posted on Careerbuilder.com, many chaplain positions require a master's degree, clinical pastoral training and ordination. Several well-known U.S. schools offer graduate programs in divinity, with options to focus on pastoral care and counseling.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutChaplains">Important Facts About Chaplains</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Salary (2019) </td><td> $49,485</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills </td><td> Tolerance, Interpersonal Communication, Empathy, Organization</td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> Church and Parish Office</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations </td><td> Pastor, Director of Religious Education</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: Payscale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---SchoolsForChaplains">Schools for Chaplains</h3><p>Below are a few examples of schools that offer programs that prepare students for a career as a chaplain:
</p><h3 id="section---LoyolaUniversityChicago">Loyola University Chicago</h3><p>There are several options for educational training within the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Along with its Master of Divinity degree, the university also offers Master of Arts degrees in pastoral studies and pastoral counseling. Loyola University Chicago has been consistently ranked among <i>U.S. News and World Report's</i> top U.S. universities.
</p><h3 id="section---HarvardUniversity">Harvard University</h3><p>Known as a top Ivy League school, Harvard University offers a Master of Divinity through its School of Divinity. This three-year program is geared toward those entering ministry or chaplaincy. Students enrolled in the divinity program may cross-register with schools within the Boston Theological Institute, which is comprised of nine seminary schools in the Boston area. One of these, Andover Newton Theological School, offers courses in clinical pastoral education. Likewise, the Harvard School of Divinity provides classes in counseling practice and theory and spiritual care and counseling.
</p><h3 id="section---WakeForestUniversity">Wake Forest University</h3><p>The Master of Divinity at Wake Forest University in North Carolina is designed to prepare students to become leaders in religion. Focusing on Christian theology, biblical studies and ministerial practices including studies in pastoral care and homiletics, this three-year program offers students an optional internship and concentrations in religious leadership or education. Dual degrees in this program include Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor, Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Bioethics.</p>
