Chaplaincy, Adv. Cert.
[Chaplaincy - 2301.00]
The Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy is a graduate-level certificate program designed for those students who have completed or are in the process of completing a theological master’s program and desire to pursue a career in chaplaincy. Students without a theological master’s degree may complete the Advanced Certificate to learn more about the ethics of chaplaincy care and ministry in multifaith contexts. Students wishing to pursue a career in chaplaincy should complete the Advanced Certificate coursework in conjunction with or as a supplement to a master’s program. Students in the program will complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which is required for board certification. CPE is taken through an outside agency and, upon successful completion, credits are transferred into Northeastern Seminary. CPE does not count as credit toward PT or FT status at Northeastern Seminary the semester it is taken, and Northeastern Seminary is not responsible for a student’s acceptance into a CPE program. Courses in the Advanced Certificate may count toward electives in the Master of Arts in Ministry Practice, Master of Theological Studies, or Master of Divinity programs.
Admissions Process:
Northeastern Seminary seeks students whose personal and professional lives are characterized by honesty, integrity, and commitment to high academic, moral, and ethical standards. Applicants must present credentials that demonstrate aptitude for the academic work they will pursue and which indicate they meet other criteria of character and conduct.
Persons seeking admission must complete an online application with the Admissions Office of the Seminary. Along with the online application itself, applicants must also furnish:
- Two recommendations able to speak to the student's aptitude for ministry and academic study. Persons providing recommendations may not be related to the applicant.
- An autobiographical statement: In this statement, the applicant will narrate his or her spiritual pilgrimage, history and vision for Christian service, and career goals and plans.
- Official transcripts from every college or university where the applicant has received a degree (i.e., associate's, bachelor's, master's and/or doctoral) or any program you hope to use for graduate or post-graduate transfer credits. Those who do not possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university at the time of applying may be accepted under the non-baccalaureate designation. Note: Additional documentation is required along with the application for those seeking admission in this category.
- In the case of international students who have not done previous studies in an English language institution, a TOEFL score of 79 or higher is required.
Courses in the Program:
- Required courses: (15)
- GMIN 6240 Care and Counsel* (3)
- GMIN 6320 Chaplaincy Seminar (3)
- GMIN 6330 World Religions and Human Spirituality (3)
- GMIN 6470 Ministry to the Dying and Bereaved (3)
- GMIN/CPE Clinical Pastoral Education - 1 unit** (3)
- Choose one of the following: (3)
- GMIN 6350 Moral Injury: Navigating Shame, Guilt, and Trauma (3)
- GMIN/GSOC 6500 Bioethics and Ministry in the 21st Century (3)
- GTHE 7310 Suffering, Pain, and Evil: A Theological Response (3)
*Students who have completed a course in Pastoral Counseling take two courses from GMIN 6350, GMIN 6500, or GTHE 7310.
*CPE is taken through an outside agency, and upon successful completion, credits are transferred to Northeastern. CPE does not count as credit toward PT or FT status at Northeastern during the semester it is taken, and Northeastern is not responsible for a student's acceptance into a CPE program.
Minimum Total Hours: 18
Minimum Graduation Requirements: Cumulative GPA of 2.7 and a completed degree application submitted to academic services by October 1 prior to the May Commencement in which the student intends to graduate.