Chaplaincy at Truett
Chaplaincy is a growing area of ministry. Chaplains minister to their communities in both institutional and organizational settings, including military, hospitals, hospice, correctional facilities, educational contexts, sports, public safety, the marketplace, and more. Students who are interested in preparing for ministerial careers in chaplaincy will find excellent training at Truett Seminary not only in practical ministry but also theology, Christian Scriptures, and spiritual formation.
Truett offers a focus upon chaplaincy ministry in our Master of Divinity program. This 87-hour degree is comprised of a 72-hour core with 15 hours of chaplaincy electives. Students may choose from a variety of elective courses, including the following four courses that chaplaincy students are encouraged to take:
| PTSM 7354 – Theological Issues of Chaplaincy |
| PAST 7334 – Clinical Pastoral Education |
| PAST 7338 – Chaplaincy as a Profession |
| PAST 7340 – Trauma, Loss, and Mourning |
Additional electives for chaplaincy ministry students may include:
| CRED 7355 – Human Development and Family Science |
| CRED 7357 – Child Development |
| CRED 7360 – Adolescent Development |
| CRED 7367 – Family Transitions, Stress, and Resilience |
| LEAD 7V21 – Mental Health in Ministry |
| PRTH 7110 – Spiritual Direction I: Theology and Practice of Soul Care |
| PRTH 7210 – Spiritual Direction II: The Art and Skill of Companioning |
| PRTH 7130 - Spiritual Direction III: Deepening Discernment |
| PRTH 7110 – Spiritual Direction IV: Contexts of Ministry |
Truett Seminary is one of the few institutions with a sports ministry program. Students with an interest in Sports Ministry and Chaplaincy may enroll in either our Master of Divinity degree or in our Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree with a concentration in sports ministry. In addition to the core classes, students are required to take these four elective courses:
| PTSM 7320 – Theology and Philosophy of Sports Ministry |
| PTSM 7333 – Integration of Faith and Sports |
| PTSM 7354 – Theological Ethics of Chaplaincy |
| PTSM 7366 – Soul Care in Sports |
Students pursuing chaplaincy ministry will benefit from the community, courses, and training they will receive at Truett Seminary. Opportunities include:
Completing one, two, or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) while enrolled at Truett Seminary and receiving academic credit for the CPE experience
A strong theological and biblical education as a foundation for chaplaincy ministry
Specialized courses in chaplaincy ministry
Participation in a two-year spiritual formation program
Conferences, lectures, workshops, and more for those who are specializing in chaplaincy ministry
Participation in seminary student groups with other chaplaincy students
For specific questions regarding chaplaincy (curriculum, discernment process, programs, etc.), please email Jo Ann Reinowski or Dr. Larry Parsley.
FAQ's
Yes. Students may pursue up to two units* of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at a local hospital while enrolled in either Mentoring (MENT 7V00) or Clinical Pastoral Education (PAST 7334) at Truett Seminary. Students who are enrolled in an approved CPE program and enrolled in either MENT 7V00 or PAST 7334 may receive a scholarship to cover the cost of their CPE application/enrollment fee. For more information on enrolling in MENT 7V00 or PAST 7334, please contact Dr. Larry Parsley (Lawrence_Parsley@baylor.edu). For additional information about possible scholarships to cover the cost of the CPE enrollment, please contact Melissa Lambeth in Truett Scholarship Services (Melissa_Lambeth@baylor.edu).
Learn more about mentoring here: https://truettseminary.baylor.edu/students/mentoring-program
*Additional units of CPE may be available for academic credit with special approval.
*You may search online for specific information about CPE Unit enrollment, registration, and Accredited CPE programs and centers near you See also the official webpage for other resources at Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.
According to the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc., board-certified chaplains must complete four units of CPE. Associate or provisional chaplains must complete at least two units.
It depends. Students are encouraged to research the educational requirements for the type of chaplaincy ministry they feel called to pursue. Some chaplaincy positions require board-certification, which mandates at least 72 hours of seminary course-work. Therefore, the Master of Divinity is currently regarded to be the appropriate degree for students who are seeking board-certification. Associate and provisional chaplains must complete at least 48 hours of seminary course-work; so, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry may well be the best fit.
Learn more about becoming a certified chaplain here: https://www.apchaplains.org/bcci-site/becoming-certified/certification-frequently-asked-questions/#education
Chaplains work in a variety of settings. Some of the most popular places where chaplains work include:
Military
Health care, including hospitals, hospice, etc.
Correctional facilities
Educational contexts
Sports – collegiate, professional, etc.
Public safety
Marketplace
Camps, parks, and recreation
While Truett Seminary trains students to become chaplains, students should understand that they will need to seek endorsement from a denominational endorsing body, such as Texas Baptists (BGCT), the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), or the Global Methodist Church (GMC). Students may explore endorsement information in more detail by visiting the websites of these endorsing bodies.
https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/chaplaincy-relations/calling-endorsement
https://cbf.net/chaplaincy-pastoral-counseling
https://globalmethodist.org/gm-church-chaplaincy-ministry-gains-momentum/
Resources and Links
Association of Professional Chaplains: https://www.apchaplains.org/careers/
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE): https://acpe.edu/
Board Certification: https://www.apchaplains.org/bcci-site/becoming-certified/certification-frequently-asked-questions/#education
Texas Baptists: https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/chaplaincy-relations/calling-endorsement
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: https://cbf.net/chaplaincy-pastoral-counseling
Global Methodists: https://globalmethodist.org/gm-church-chaplaincy-ministry-gains-momentum/