Who should consider the Chaplaincy Concentration in an MDiv?
The Master of Divinity program is recommended for students seeking a comprehensive preparation for Christian ministry. And this concentration creates a pathway for those seeking board certification as a chaplain to do much of the preparatory work within the MDiv curriculum.
Why EMS?
- Our formation classes will encourage you to focus on your own formation during the seminary journey, helping you to be healthier in your vocation.
- Supervised field education and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will give you supervised learning experiences in your ministry field.
- You will develop relationships with faculty who can provide mentoring and advice in your ministry.
Becoming Board Certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains
For up-to-date qualification requirements and definitions for Board Certified and Associate Board Certified Chaplains, find information on the APC website here.
Curriculum (81 SH)
66 credits of required core courses:
Year 1 (24 SH)
- FS 503 Formation in Spiritual Practices (3)
- FS 504 Formation in Narrative Identity (3)
- BIBL 511 Hebrew Bible: Text in Context (3)
- BIBL 512 New Testament: Text in Context (3)
- CTH 501 Christian Traditions I (3)
- CTH 512 Christian Traditions II (3)
- CTT 634 Living Theology (3)
- CM 643 Missio Dei in Cultural Context (3)
Year 2 (24 SH)
- SMFE 601 Clinical Pastoral Education Level I A (Fall/Spring or Summer Unit, 6 SH)
- BIBL 532 Elementary Hebrew (3)*
- BIBL 541 Hebrew Readings (3)*
- CTE 702 Christian Ethics (3)
- SMCL 611 Pastoral Care (3)**
- SMCL 642 Congregational Worship (3)
- Intercultural Experience (3) – CM 613, CM 614, or other CM intercultural courses
Year 3 (18 SH)
- SMFE 701 Clinical Pastoral Education, Level I B (Fall/Spring or Summer Unit, 6 SH)
- BIBL 531 Elementary Greek (3)*
- BIBL 541 Greek Readings (3)*
- PAX 540 Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience I (2)
- SMCL 564 Theological Reflections on Trauma (1 )
- FS 698 Formation in Vocation and Leadership (2)
- FS 699 Formation in Vocation and Leadership (1)
*Or, take the Biblical Languages alternate Track
- BIBL 532 Elementary Hebrew or BIBL 531 Elementary Greek (3)
- Hebrew Bible book study elective (3)
- New Testament book study elective (3)
- BIBL 621 Interpreting the Biblical Text (3)
15 credits of electives and tradition-specific courses:
- Additional courses to fulfill remaining credits
UMC students seeking deacon ordination must take all of the following:**
- FS 601 Formation in Ministry (3)
- FS 602 Formation in Ministry (3)
- CM 670 United Methodist Studies I (3)
- CM 680 United Methodist Studies II (3)
- CM 621 Evangelism: Living to Tell (3)
- SMCL 602 Foundations for Christian Preaching (3) - required for Virginia Conference members and may replace SMCL 611 Pastoral Care requirement
Anabaptist-affiliated students must take one of the following:
- CTH 641 Mennonite History (3)
- CTT 633 Anabaptist Theology (3)
- CTT 523 Anabaptism Today: Topics (3)
- CTT 546 Justice, Peace and the Biblical Story (3)
- CTE 713 Sermon on the Mount: Peace, Justice and the Reign of God (3)
Post-MDiv CPE
May take for graduate credit or audit, but cannot count toward the MDiv:
- SMFE 702 Clinical Pastoral Education—Level II A
- SMFE 702 Clinical Pastoral Education—Level II B
**UMC students seeking deacon ordination need to to check with their conference to confirm all requirements are met.
