Master of Arts in Chaplaincy

Required Core

• Chaplaincy Models and Methods
• Theology and Scriptures in Spiritual Care Practice
• Psychology and Sociology for Chaplaincy
• Religious and Cultural Ethics for Chaplaincy

Electives

Five Electives selected based upon the student’s interest in pursuing chaplaincy in the fields of Health Care, Prisons, Military, Education, Community, and Third Spaces. Muslim students in the specialization in Islamic Chaplaincy will integrate theories with practices of chaplaincy rooted in the Islamic tradition. In lieu of the general electives, they will take:

• Muslim Pastoral Theology
• Four electives in consultation with the Program Director

Field Education

For two semesters, students complete six hours of service per week in a site, such as a homeless shelter, high school, house of worship, or other service organization and complete one two-hour class period each week. 

Clinical Pastoral Education

Students must complete one full unit of ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education. Students accepted to the Chaplaincy program must arrange for their CPE in consultation with the program co-directors. Students can substitute one additional unit of CPE as an elective; the additional unit of CPE must be level II or higher.

• Chaplaincy Models and Methods
• Theology and Scriptures in Spiritual Care Practice
• Psychology and Sociology for Chaplaincy
• Religious and Cultural Ethics for Chaplaincy

Co-Curricular Experiential Learning for Chaplaincy Students

Whether enrolled in the Chaplaincy program alone or in the dual degree program (MAIRC), chaplaincy students will participate in an on-campus retreat (2–3 days) providing a venue for networking, cohort-building, and review of spiritual caregiving skills.

Learn about Islamic Chaplaincy Pathway

Application deadlines

• Rolling admissions (June 15 for international students) for the Fall Semester; to be considered for financial aid, separate Applications for Financial Assistance must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office. 

• Rolling admissions (November 1 for international students) for the Spring Semester. 

Application Requirements

All completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

1. Prior Education: Complete official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions must be submitted to the Admission's Office. Applicants are required to present transcripts in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. A bachelor’s degree (or its educational equivalent) at a high level of achievement from an accredited institution is a prerequisite for admission. Admission is granted only on the basis of the terms stated in the Hartford International University Catalogue and in the admission letter.
   
   NOTE: Admitted students with non-U.S. transcripts will be required to submit evaluated transcripts completed by a credential evaluation service. You do not need to have your transcript evaluated unless you have been admitted. Your admission will be provisional until an evaluated transcript is received and reviewed. We must receive your evaluated transcripts within three weeks of the date on your admission letter.  We recommend Spantran as the most economical option for transcript evaluation. HIU will be notified directly when the transcript evaluations are completed.
    
2. Statement of Purpose: Each Statement of Purpose is unique and is meant to be an expression of the individuals that write them.  We want to know what is important to you, what has shaped you, and, ultimately, who you are. You have the opportunity to tell us about the aspects of your character and experience that help us understand why you are a good match with this program. We also want to know how you would both gain from and contribute to our unique environment. The Statement of Purpose should be four to five pages (typed, double-spaced) and should reflect on:
   • your goals in seeking theological education and the experiences or values that have led you to do so;
   • the reasons you have chosen Hartford International University, in particular;
   • your educational/vocational goals;
   • your perceived strengths and potential areas for development
   • the life experiences that have most significantly shaped you in terms of your interest in chaplaincy
      
3. References: Three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty member of an institution from which the applicant has earned a degree or another person who can speak to the applicant’s potential for graduate level study; at least one recommendation must be from an individual who can speak to the applicant’s potential for service as a chaplain.
    
4. English Language Proficiency: Students who are not native English speakers or who have not had English as a primary language of instruction in their academic studies, are required to submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET) examination and achieve a minimum score of 80 on the internet version of TOEFL or 550 on the paper based total; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 110 on the DET
    
5. Interview: An interview with a Chaplaincy Program co-Director will be scheduled once the items listed above are submitted.
    
6. Transfer Credit: Applicants who have previously taken graduate level courses in the areas of Arts of Ministry or Practical Theology from an accredited institution may be eligible for up to 6 credit of transfer credit. Requests concerning transfer credit should be made at the time of application. Prior courses approved for transfer credit will count toward the elective requirement of the MA in Chaplaincy.