Advanced Certificate

Chaplaincy

Northeastern Seminary’s chaplaincy certificate program is designed for students who want a stand-alone Certificate program in chaplaincy or who have completed or are in the process of completing a theological Master's program. This certificate offered online, explores the spiritual formation and training needed to become a chaplain equipped to minister in a variety of multifaith contexts.

Chaplaincy

Students can seamlessly move from this certificate to eventually complete their Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree, which is typically required to formally serve as a chaplain. Combining practical ministry skills with Christian spiritual formation, our chaplaincy program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Our students grow as compassionate spiritual guides through chaplaincy courses that are Biblically-based, expertly taught, and holistically supported. Through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) opportunities, students learn to serve in hospitals, the military, prisons, businesses, or other organizations. 

This 18 credit program can be completed in as little as 1 year, or seamlessly use credits from the certificate program towards a Master of Arts degree.

Need flexibility as a working adult? Northeastern Seminary strives to make our seminary experience as flexible as possible. This 18-credit ministry degree can be completed 100% online or through classes in Rochester, New York in as little as one year. Our students can also select a full-time or part-time schedule to accommodate career and family commitments.

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The question isn't how far can I get to God and still go to heaven. The question is how close to God can I get before I go to heaven."

Dr. Doug Cullum

Are you called to serve on the "front lines" of ministry?

While in combat in Afghanistan, Reuben Ramdath sensed God's call to minister to his fellow servicemen and women in the U.S. Army. After speaking with a spiritual advisor, Reuben found Northeastern Seminary, where he enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. Here, Reuben found faculty who are renowned in their fields and personally invested in his success. A full-time support specialist helped Reuben utilize his benefits and leverage Northeastern's resources for service members.

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Total Program
Sticker Price: $10,990

Less than 15% of students
pay this amount

98% of students who applied
for a scholarship received one

Tuition & Aid

Chaplaincy- Featured Courses

The following courses explore important themes related to pastoral ministry. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate in chaplaincy, and you can apply these classes to earn your master's degree.

Care and Counsel

This course surveys the scope and practice of pastoral care. Employing the analogy of a physician’s care for the physical body, the course seeks to develop the proficiencies necessary in the pastor’s responsibility to care for the spiritual person. Among the issues explored, specific attention is given to spiritual direction, pastoral counsel and counseling skills, crisis ministries, care of the dying, development of the Christian community, and social justice as pastoral care. 

Moral Injury: Navigating Shame, Guilt and Trauma

Moral injury is a term used to describe extreme and unprecedented life experiences including the harmful aftermath of exposure to such events. In the Armed Forces, it focuses on the trauma of those who experience deep inner wounds created by an incongruity between their actions and convictions of right and wrong.

This course will examine the differences between moral injury and PTSD and other frequent diagnoses related to trauma experienced in the military.

Suffering, Pain, and Evil: A Theological Response

Those in ministry must often respond to the following question: “Why did God allow that horrible event—that tragic accident, that terrible betrayal, that intense suffering—to happen?” After outlining the various responses (theodicies) available to Christians, this course will discuss how best to help those asking “why” determine what these responses have to offer. Included among the texts read will be the book of Job.

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Click the link below to start your application today! You can save and log back in at any time. Reach out to the admissions team at any time for help in the process.

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Register for an upcoming zoom session with the admissions teams to learn more about the Theological Studies program. 

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Program Guide

Download the Program Guide below to see a sample schedule for students entering the Theological Studies program.

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Stackable Curriculum - Certificate to Master’s

Your chaplaincy education develops the ministry skills to become a chaplain with the flexibility of selecting courses that fit your calling with Northeastern Seminary's stackable curriculum.

Becoming a chaplain starts with exploring the ethics of chaplaincy care and ministry in multifaith contexts with an accredited certificate.* 

Continue your education with another stackable block of courses to receive a Master of Arts degree in Ministry Practice or Theological Studies.

Complete the requirements for service as a chaplain when you assemble multiple stackable competency blocks to earn your Master of Divinity with a Chaplaincy concentration.

Proudly Military-Friendly

Become a military chaplain. As an honored member of the Military Friendly® Schools program, Northeastern Seminary is part of a small group of higher education institutions in the U.S. that make up the Military Friendly® School list created by G.I. Jobs magazine.

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Part & Full-Time

If you have questions about joining us at Northeastern Seminary, request more information about your program of interest or register for an admissions event. 

Seminary Programs- Rochester, NY & Online

Semester Start Dates

  • Summer Masters: May 29, 2023
  • Fall Masters & DMin: August 28, 2023

Apply

Apply

Click the link below to start your application today! You can save and log back in at any time. Reach out to the admissions team at any time for help in the process.

Join a Zoom

Register for an upcoming zoom session with the admissions teams to learn more about the Theological Studies program. 

Visit

Program Guide

Download the Program Guide below to see a sample schedule for students entering the Theological Studies program.

Download Guide