Chaplaincy — M.S.Chap.

Program director
Michael Rhynus, M.Div.

The Master of Science in Chaplaincy (M.S.Chap.) program is theological and clinically based chaplaincy education at Loma Linda University. It has been developed using guidelines established by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), which oversees and rigorously maintains “best practice” standards for the chaplaincy profession. It is designed to meet a variety of student needs, including:

• Provision of APC full board certification academic requirements.
• Providing a professional degree that blends theological study with clinical experience.
• Providing specialty training in spiritual care and/or chaplaincy.
• Preparing students for employment as professional chaplains.

Graduates of the program receive excellent academic training enhanced by professional, clinical, and ministerial experience. The program's goal is to prepare chaplains who can model the "teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ," and who are trained at the highest level of Christian professionalism, in preparation for full board certification by the APC.

Students are required to complete 2 units of clinical professional education (CPE) credits prior to graduation. (Four units are required for board certification.) As a premier teaching and research medical complex, Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) provides an excellent setting for experiencing clinical aspects of this program and is an accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center. (Students are not required to complete all of their clinical internships at LLU and are able to meet this requirement at any ACPE-approved site in North America. Visit the ACPE-approved centers web page here to view a list of available sites. Separate application, fees, and acceptance procedures are required for this component of the program, including at LLUH.)  

The professors represent areas of expertise such as biblical studies, theology, practical theology, marriage and family therapy, cultural psychology, American church history, health education, nursing, spiritual care, and ethics. In addition, clinical faculty members across many health-care professions are involved in the program. This diversity of specialists provides students with a rich and balanced program of study.

All courses are taught from a Christian perspective. Students from more than 65 religions and 80 countries study here. A mutual and shared respect for various cultures and beliefs is emphasized on campus and in the classroom. Small class sizes allow for specified instruction and personal growth.

The program draws upon resources across the entire Loma Linda University campus. These include the Chaplain Services of LLUH and the Center for Whole Person Care—both of which provide a rich context in which to study chaplaincy. The Center for Whole Person Care is dedicated to promoting and supporting wholeness in individuals, as well as providing tools for health-care professionals across various disciplines to use in whole-person care for their patients. The center sponsors a number of programs, along with the Center for Christian Bioethics, that minister to the spiritual and intellectual needs of students, staff, and patients.

Program learning outcomes

The following address competencies in four chaplaincy areas. By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

• By the end of the program, graduates should be able to:

  1. Integrate theory and practice competencies into chaplaincy.
  2. Exhibit professional identity and conduct as a chaplain.
  3. Demonstrate professional practice skills.
  4. Function effectively in organizational leadership.

Transfer credits

Students are permitted to transfer up to 14 units of approved graduate-level courses from other accredited institutions into the M.S. in Chaplaincy Program within the first quarter of the program.

In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Religion admissions requirements, the applicants to the M.S. in Chaplaincy Program are expected to:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Grade point average of B (3.0) or better in the overall program and in the major field
• A personal statement (~750 words) that specifies why the applicant is interested in this program, relevant background experiences, and how the program fits into personal and professional plans.
• A writing sample (usually drawn from previous academic work) emailed directly to religion@llu.edu.
• Three letters of recommendation (two academic and one pastoral)
• An interview 
• One (1) unit of CPE highly preferred

Students must complete 108 quarter credits from the list below, with an overall grade point average of B (3.0) or better, with no grade lower than C, and no grade lower than a B- in a core course.

¹

When students have completed the majority of their coursework and at least some clinical work, they must also be able to articulate, in written form, all chaplaincy competencies, as defined by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). This will be based on their theoretical understanding, reflection, and personal experiences. 

²

Fulfills service-learning requirement

³

Students must satisfactorily complete two (2) units of clinical pastoral education (CPE) at an accredited CPE Center—400 clinical hours consist of one (1) unit (1 unit consists of 10 weeks for an intensive unit or 16 weeks for an extended unit).  Students pursuing CPE should enroll concurrently in RELG 795 Clinical Internship in order to receive a total of 12 units required to meet graduation requirements.

Noncourse requirements

Annual Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their academic and clinical competencies at the end of Spring quarters of their first and second years.

Dean’s Exit Interview

Graduate candidates are required to attend exit interviews with the Dean of the School of Religion during the Spring quarter of their graduation year.

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years (11 consecutive academic quarters) — based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted