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Chaplain Fields and Requirements

Chaplains can be involved in the Military, Prisons, Hospitals and Universities.  See below for specific information on each field and their requirements.

A chaplain is a professional who offers spiritual advice and care in a specific institutional context, such as a military unit or a college campus, hospital or prison. Although chaplains often provide religious services for members of their own faith communities, the main role of a chaplain is to facilitate or accommodate the religious needs of all individuals in the institution in which he or she is working.

Chaplains often serve as experts on ethics to their colleagues and employers, providing insight to diverse issues, and public policy. Professional chaplains do not displace local religious leaders, but fill the special requirements involved in intense institutional environments.

Thus, a Muslim chaplain is not necessarily an "Imam," although an Imam may work as a chaplain. There is a need for both male and female Muslim chaplains. For example, female Muslim students on college campuses or hospitalized Muslim women may feel more comfortable with a Muslim woman chaplain.  

BOP/Prison Chaplains

Chaplains administer, supervise, and perform work involved in a program of spiritual welfare and religious guidance for inmates in a correctional setting.

Requirements:

•   GS-12: must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and a Master of Divinity degree or the equivalent (20 graduate hours of theology, 20 graduate hours of sacred writings, 20 graduate hours of church history or comparative religions, and 20 graduate hours of ministry courses) from an American Theological School (ATS) accredited residential seminary or school of theology
• Ordination or membership in an ecclesiastically recognized religious institute of vowed men or women At least 2 years of autonomous experience as a religious/spiritual leader in a parish or specialized ministry setting
• A current ecclesiastical endorsement by the recognized endorsing body of the faith tradition
• Willingness to provide and coordinate programs for inmates of all faiths
• The Necessary credentials and the ability to provide worship services in his/her faith tradition.

For more information visit their website at: http://www.bop.gov/jobs/job_descriptions/chaplain.jsp

 

Active Duty Chaplain-US Army

Requirements:

• You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:
• A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.
• Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.
• Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their family members and civilians who work for the Army.
•   Educationally, you must:
•  Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.
• Possess an accredited graduate degree in theological or religious studies, with a minimum of 2 semester hours in graduate work in these fields of study.
•   Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
•  Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• A minimum of two years of full-time post seminary professional experience, validated by the applicant’s endorsing agency (This requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve or National Guard applicants).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. No applicants are accepted at the age of 50 or above. Applicants aged over 42 should contact a regional chaplain recruiter for a possible age waiver for chaplains and chaplain candidates

 

For more detailed information visit their website at: www.goarmy.com/chaplain

Active Duty Chaplain-US Navy

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS:

• Ecclesiastical endorsement (certifies experience and degree requirements meet the standards of the respective ecclesiastical group)
• Two years religious leadership consistent with clergy in applicant’s tradition (strongly recommended)
• United States citizenship (No dual citizenship)
•   Bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours from an accredited institution)
• A graduate degree to include a minimum of 72 semester hours (or equivalent) from a qualifying (accredited) institution.
• Not less than 36 hours must be in theological/ministry and related studies, consistent with the respective religious tradition of the applicant. Endorsers are free to exceed the Department of Defense standard per ecclesiastical requirements, but cannot go below the minimal Department of Defense requirements, e.g. many endorsers specifically require the Master of Divinity degree.
•  Active Duty Chaplains: Commissioned and on active duty prior to age 42; Commissioned and on active duty prior to age 44, if prior service; Reserve Chaplains: Commissioned and on active duty prior to age 40.
•   Pass a military commissioning physical.
• Pass a security background investigation.
• Ability to work in the Department of Defense directed religious accommodation environment

Active Duty Chaplain-Air Force

Requirements:

• Ecclesiastical Endorsement, DoD Form 2088 (May 2006).
• United States Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship).
• Academic Requirements
• Baccalaureate degree with no fewer than 120 hours from an accredited institution.
• Post-Baccalaureate degree in the field of theology or related studies from a qualifying graduate degree program with no less than 72 Semester Hours from an accredited institution.
• Pastoral Ministry Requirement
• Two years of religious leadership experience.
• Age Requirement
•   Must enter active duty (EAD) prior to 42.
• Grade Requirement
• Commissioned officers must be the grade of Captain (0-3) and below.
• AF Commissioning Requirements
•  Be within AF height and weight standards.
• Meet qualifying standards for a Commissioning physical.
• Pass Background Security Investigation.
• Satisfy all appropriate commissioning requirements.

For more information visit their website at: www.usafhc.af.mil

Hospital Chaplaincy

Where a person gets professional training can vary. Many people participate in what is called clinical pastoral education, which takes place in countries like the US at various hospitals, hospice centers, and mental health facilities. It can take some looking to find a program close by, but it helps to search the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) website. These programs may have pre-requirements that depend on the center offering the education, which could include possessing degrees (either Bachelor’s or Master’s) in theology or related fields.

Usually the CPE program is available in units and each unit corresponds to about 400 hours of practice and training. Some programs are offered for the length of a year, and people train through the year at a given hospital or center in order to complete the required four units. Once this year’s training is complete, they can get certified to work as a hospital chaplain.

There are other certifying agencies that people may need to go through to become a hospital chaplain. If a person wants to become an endorsed Muslim chaplain, they’ll need to complete the CPE program, have a master’s in theology or its equivalent, and go through the endorsement process of a qualified and accredited endorsing agency if they wish to be certified in N. America.

Some hospitals do not conduct their chaplaincy programs in the same manner. It is sometimes possible to get direct training from a hospital for a short period of time. At the end of this training program, a person may become a hospital chaplain for the hospital with which he/she trained. However, chaplaincy status may not be transferable elsewhere. Certification usually helps expand job possibilities and competency in the profession.

It is important for people to understand what is occurring when they become a hospital chaplain. They are there, most often, to listen and offer support and not to proselytize. This is not the profession for the avid preacher, but is one for the quiet listener. Even in hospitals that have a specific denomination, not all patients at these hospitals will have the same religion or religious beliefs.

Though sometimes chaplains will pray with patients or health care workers at their request, they are never supposed to force religious beliefs or observances on others, and doing so may justify the fear that some patients have that a chaplain is there to “push religion.” Times of illness and stress may be challenging to the faithful, and even a chaplain who shares religion with a patient may provoke distress by attempting to lecture on faith. A delicate balance and extreme sensitivity is required for those who want to become a hospital chaplain.

For more information on how to become a hospital chaplain, visit these websites:

Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian Muslim Relations/Hartford Seminary: http://macdonald.hartsem.edu/chaplaincy/index.html

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.: http://www.acpe.edu/

Chaplain Candidate Program

Applicants who have not yet started their graduate program or have a minimum of three semesters remaining are encouraged to apply for the Chaplain Candidate Program. Each branch of the military has its own unique application requirements, so it is suggested that the applicant review the information directly from each branch's Web site. Age requirements for each service's Chaplain Candidate Program are:

• Army. Chaplain requirements completed by age 40. http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/index.jsp
• Navy. Chaplain requirements completed by age 40. http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/chaplain/
• Air Force. You must be less than 35 years of age at the time of selection for candidate program. Allow six months for processing. http://www.afrc.af.mil/library/chaplain/howtojoin/candidate/index.asp

US Navy Chaplain Candidate Program

Individuals interested in the Navy Chaplaincy who do not currently meet all of requirements may be interested in the Chaplain Candidate Program Officer program.

• Applicants must be at least 21 years old and must be of such an age that they will be qualified for superseding appointment as an active duty or reserve officer in the Chaplain Corps prior to their 39th birthday.
• Receive a letter of approval from a recognized religious faith group.
• Have a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
•  Be matriculated in a program of professional study in theology or related subjects offered by a qualifying educational institution. A qualifying degree program will require no less than 72 semester hours of graduate level work. (The school is considered accredited if listed in the Directory, American Theological Schools, Bulletin Part 4. You can also check on line at http://www.chea.org)
• Maintain a satisfactory full time standing of the graduate theological school in which enrolled and in any training program prescribed by their religious faith group.

US Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program

The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is an exciting opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The focus is on experiencing ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty. As a chaplain candidate you will draw upon your background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon entering the program you will be commissioned as a chaplain candidate, Second Lieutenant. When you graduate and are endorsed by your religious body, you will be eligible for reappointment as a Chaplain, First Lieutenant, in the USAF Reserve.

Requirements

• You must be a citizen of the United States, dual citizenship is not accepted.
• You must be less than 35 years of age at the time of appointment. (Allow six months for processing)

US Army Chaplain Candidate Program

To be eligible for this program, you must:

• Obtain an ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group.
• Educationally, you must:
•  Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours (College seniors can apply before completion of their undergraduate program).
• Be enrolled or a full-time graduate student at an accredited seminary or theological school.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
•   Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• Must be at least 18 years of age and not older than 40 years of age at time of appointment.  Age waivers are available for applicants with prior military service to age 42.
• While attending seminary, Chaplain Candidates may apply for tuition assistance through the U.S. Army Reserve. You may be eligible for up to 100% of the tuition costs, up to $250 per credit hour with a maximum cap of $4500 per year. This program requires service of at least four years in a U.S. Army Reserve unit once you become a qualified Chaplain.

Lay Leaders Requirements

Individuals interested in becoming lay leaders are required to meet the following applications:

• Submit a Lay Leader Application. The application form can be downloaded from ILDC website.
•   Provide at least two references from chaplains or imams, as well as complete contact information for the commanding chaplain (military applicants) or the head of department/unit (civilian applicants) to whom the endorsement letter should be sent.
• Pass a Placement Test. The test will be provided by ILDC office.
• Enroll in an intensive course designed to build lay leaders capacity to perform their duties adequately.
• After reviewing this information, the ILDC Executive Director will make a decision if the applicant has potential and is qualified.  If not, additional reading, training, or other remedial action may be recommended.

Note: Lay leader endorsements are limited to one-year, but renewable upon request for lay leaders who maintain good standing.

 

For more information about Designated Lay Leader positions, contact ILDC at ildc@isna.net

or call: (317) 839-1807