Interfaith Chaplaincy

Overview

Key Features

Given the frequency with which today’s chaplains are required to engage religious diversity interpersonally and programmatically, it is the purpose of this program to offer an education with two intertwining aspects: a lively and maturing engagement with one’s own tradition and a well-­informed and caringly­-embodied knowledge of religious diversity and interfaith encounter.

The Interfaith Chaplaincy program of Claremont School of Theology offers depth and breadth of preparation. Depth is established by the requirement that all students grow in knowledge of their own religious tradition and the tradition of others, as well as the history, theory, and practice of spiritual care and chaplaincy. Breadth is established through the program’s elective units, which students can use to prepare themselves according to the expectations of one’s own religious tradition and/or professional certification requirements.

Overall, the program seeks to offer a flexible structure that supports vocational and intellectual exploration and development, while encouraging student initiative and responsibility.  The program prepares for the work of chaplaincy or for doctoral level work in spiritual care.

Students take courses in theological studies, interfaith and cultural competencies, spiritual formation, and chaplaincy/spiritual care. Clinical Pastoral Education is required.

This track cannot be completed in within the hybrid M.Div. program. However, students can meet the academic requirements for chaplaincy certification by completing the hybrid M.Div., Ministerial Leadership Track.