Chaplaincy, MA

Purpose and Objectives

The MA in Chaplaincy degree provides students with specialized skills to perform the pastoral, caregiver, emotional, and spiritual support roles of a chaplain. It prepares students to serve as chaplains in a corporate, institutional, or organizational context.

In addition to the mission statement and general objectives and requirements of a Columbia Biblical Seminary (CBS) degree, the objectives of the MA in Chaplaincy degree are to enable students to:

• Articulate the theology, history, and nature of chaplaincy
• Articulate the biblical, theological, and worship foundations of chaplaincy in a pluralistic setting
• Apply an evangelistic approach to bringing others to Christ in pluralistic settings

The MA in Chaplaincy degree is available fully online in an 8-week format or in a residential 16-week format.

Admission Requirements

• Online application
• Application fee
• Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Statement of Faith
• Official transcript for highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the most recent degree earned
• Essay (800 words total)
• Church Leader Reference

Transfer Credit

Students may receive transfer credit for a maximum of two-thirds of the MA in Chaplaincy, subject to the provisions of CIU’s Transfer Credit Policy.

Dual Degree Credit

Students may apply credit from a previously completed graduate degree for a maximum of two-thirds of the MA in Chaplaincy. Students must satisfy all requirements for both degrees, including the integrative exercise or internship experience of each degree.

Time Limitation

The expected time limit for completing all the requirements for the MA in Chaplaincy degree is ten years, measured from the date a student begins coursework in the degree. Students may request that courses completed outside the expected limit be reviewed by the dean’s office on a case-by-case basis.

Completion Requirements

Students must satisfy the following requirements in order to graduate:

• Complete all required hours of specified coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Complete the supervised ministry experience component of the MA in Chaplaincy degree.
• Complete reading of the entire Bible following admission, including selections assigned in Bible courses. This requirement must be completed six weeks prior to graduation.
• Affirm CIU’s Statement of Faith.