MDiv with a Concentration in Chaplaincy
What is a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Chaplaincy?
A chaplain is a spiritual leader who performs the same types of rites, services and ceremonies as a pastor or priest but in environments outside of the church. Chaplains often serve a group of people who are not organized as a church or mission or who are otherwise unable to attend a church for various reasons such as health, confinement or military or civil duties. Chaplains can touch the lives of people who are not likely to be drawn to typical churches or ministries. For chaplaincy ministry in settings that require ordination (such as the military), the M.Div. with a Chaplaincy concentration will provide the broad-based biblical, theological, and pastoral training you need (be sure to check with your church or denominational Chaplain Endorsing Agent to be sure this degree meets their particular endorsement requirements). Specialized chaplaincy courses will acquaint you with the distinct nature of this unique ministry and equip you to navigate the world of institutional chaplaincy. With this degree you also earn a unit toward Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which allows you to participate in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced. Would you like to represent Christ in arenas where few others have access? The chaplaincy concentration in our M.Div. program will send you out ready to make an immediate impact.
At Denver Seminary, the chaplaincy program falls under the Division of Counseling. Watch a video from the Division of Counseling. Read an article in Christianity Today about chaplaincy.
Short video about chaplaincy:
The MDiv with a Chaplaincy concentration is excellent preparation for:
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Crisis and disaster teams and first-provider units (police/fire/EMT)
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Crisis counseling centers
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High school/graduate school educational institutions
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Hospice, eldercare and teen residential centers
- Healthcare settings
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Military chaplaincy
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Business, workplace, or industrial organizations
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Rescue missions and other parachurch organizations
- Prison Ministry
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Sports and leisure organizations and teams
Structure
In addition to the MDiv core (85 hours), this concentration includes 12 hours of chaplaincy specific courses:
| Chaplaincy Concentration | Course # | Sem. Hrs. |
| MDiv core1 | 85 | |
| CHP 550 | 2 | |
| Community-Based Clinical Pastoral Education | CHP 6502 | 3 |
| Officiating Worship and Religious Services | CHP 750 | 2 |
| Group Experience | CO 539 | 0 |
| Counseling Issues in Ministry | CO 540 | 3 |
| Brief Counseling | CO 560 | 2 |
| 97 |
1 Students in the chaplaincy concentration should replace T/M 712 with CO 570 and PME 602 with CO 526.
2 Students must also enroll concurrently in one hour of mentored ministry experience and one hour of mentored spiritual formation while enrolled in CHP 650.
Department Faculty
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Dr. Janet R. McCormack, Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling
Faculty Highlight
Dr. Janet R. McCormack is Director and Assistant Professor of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling. Dr. McCormack is ordained by the American Baptist Churches, USA and is a retired Air Force chaplain with 22 years of experience in military chaplaincy. She is an Association of Professional Chaplains board-certified chaplain with experience in hospital, police, prison, NASCAR, drag racing, crisis, and trauma. She has served on the boards of the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, and the Military Chaplains Association.
