Chaplain: Career Profile and Educational Requirements

Chaplains are trained to provide counseling and pastoral services to those needing spiritual or emotional support. A strong desire to help others and faith in one's chosen denomination are important attributes for this profession.

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Career Profile of a Chaplain

Chaplains generally work in institutional settings like the military, hospitals, prisons and schools, either part time or full time. They may be commissioned laypersons but are usually members of the clergy who provide the kinds of services a clergyperson would ordinarily provide in a place of worship. These services can include worship, crisis counseling, weddings, funerals and last rites. Chaplains can work directly for an institution or receive compensation from their religious organization.

Educational Requirements of a Chaplain

According to O*Net OnLine, clergy members, including chaplains, are generally required to have a graduate degree (www.onetonline.org). Graduate programs are available in theology, divinity studies or religious studies. Theology majors may take courses in expository preaching, Old Testament language and soteriology. Divinity and religious studies majors often focus on certain fields, such as Asian religions, African religious studies and Judaic studies.

Additional Requirements to Become a Chaplain

Requirements for becoming a chaplain can also include an ecclesiastical endorsement by the candidate's particular faith organization and a certain amount of previous related work experience. Depending on where a chaplain ends up working, there may also be additional requirements related to the particular institution. The armed forces typically require their chaplains to be under a certain age and be able to pass a military physical exam and a security clearance.

Certification Information for a Chaplain

Certification may be required by some employers. Certain organizations certify chaplains in either general chaplaincy skills or specific skills related to certain institutions. The Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) offers three levels of certification - board certified chaplain, provisional certified chaplain and associate certified chaplain. Each designation has differing levels of educational, experience and competency requirements a candidate must meet.

For more job-specific certification, the International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC) offers basic and advanced certifications. IFOC certification focuses on chaplains who provide services to emergency workers and law enforcement personnel.

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