Islamic Chaplaincy Program

Since 2001, Hartford International’s renowned Islamic Chaplaincy Program has produced professionals who are now leaders in the field of chaplaincy. These chaplains serve in diverse settings in federal prisons, armed services, in private and public hospitals, in higher education, and in community settings.

Twenty years on, the Islamic Chaplaincy Program has once again developed an innovative pathway to the profession of chaplaincy for Muslim students. The new Islamic Chaplaincy curriculum has based its learning outcomes on the Association of Professional Chaplains’ Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplains. The core requirements integrate theories with practices of chaplaincy rooted in the Islamic tradition.

Pathways to Islamic Chaplaincy

There are two pathways to professional positions in Islamic Chaplaincy. The choice of the right degree program depends on the academic, Islamic, and professional training and experience with which a student enters Hartford International.

Applicants who wish to gain both mastery over relevant academic fields and the skills and aptitudes of professional chaplaincy should apply to the 36-credit hour academic Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies (MAIRS) with a specialization in Islamic Studies. Upon completion of this degree, students will continue on to the professional Master of Arts in Chaplaincy (MAC), with a specialization in Islamic Chaplaincy. This pathway is a 72-credit program that combines academic study and practical training. The two degrees may not be done concurrently.
Applicants with prerequisite knowledge and significant professional practice of chaplaincy who interview successfully with the director of the MAC program and are approved by the Admissions Committee may elect to matriculate directly into the Master of Arts in Chaplaincy (MAC).

Islamic Chaplaincy Resources

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36-credit M.A. in Interreligious Studies

6 credits- Two Core Interreligious Seminars.
21 credits: Foundational Fields, Beliefs and Practices, Religious Pluralism.
3 credits- Elective.
3 credits- Final project. Language Proficiency in Qur’anic Arabic

36-credit M.A. in Chaplaincy

12 credits- Four Core Chaplaincy courses.
15 credits: Muslim Pastoral Theology, and four other Electives.
6 credits- Field Education.
3 credits- Clinical Pastoral Education.<

Learning Outcomes

Students who have completed the Islamic Chaplaincy program will:
1. Have achieved mastery of the competencies listed in Sections I-IV of the “Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplains,” the evidence for this being recorded on Hartford Seminary’s “Competencies Progress-Tracking Worksheet” keyed to the BCCI list.<
2. Have demonstrated knowledge of the Association of Professional Chaplains’ fifteen “Standards of Practice for Professional Chaplains.”
3. Have command of the Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Ethics, the evidence for this being recorded on Hartford Seminary’s “Code of Ethics Worksheet.”
4. Have acquired basic skills in Qur’anic recitation to function successfully as a Muslim Chaplain.

Where Your Journey May Lead

Islamic Chaplaincy Career Paths

Hospitals or Hospices

Colleges or Universities

Private secondary schools

Military

Correctional institutions

Community organizations

Courses you may take

Here is a small sample of courses students in the program take. To view the entire course listing, use the link below.

The Value of Experience

Mentoring

In consultation with the Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program, each student’s program will be customized to meet their particular educational needs and professional/vocational objectives within the formal guidelines and criteria established for the Islamic Chaplaincy Program. Depending on the applicant’s previous education, experience, and the applicant’s future goals and intended career path, the applicant may be required to complete both degrees of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program.

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff know the field and have decades of experience both as chaplains and as chaplain educators. You’ll work with dedicated scholars and seasoned chaplains who can help you discern the best setting for your skills and passions.

Alumni

After graduation, you’ll join a robust network of Muslim chaplains who are at the forefront of the profession in every area. The Association of Muslim Chaplains had its origins at Hartford International and continues to lead the way in the field.

Opportunities & Highlights

Partnerships

Hartford International is a partner of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab based at Brandeis University. The lab brings chaplains, theological educators, clinical educators, and social scientists together to talk about the work of chaplaincy and spiritual care.

Scholarships

Ask our admissions office about scholarships specifically for Islamic chaplaincy students. The FADEL Education Foundation also offers funding for students who will pursue careers in correctional chaplaincy.

Meet Our Directors

Aida Mansoor

Director of Field Education

Aida Mansoor is the Director of Field Education at Hartford International. She also serves in the community and works with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford.

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Bilal W. Ansari

Faculty Associate in Muslim Pastoral Theology Co-Director, Islamic Chaplaincy Program

Areas of Study
Arts of Ministry
Contemporary Islamic Ethics
Institutional Leadership
Islamic Law
Muslim Pastoral Theology
Spirituality

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Admission and Application Information

Master of Arts in Chaplaincy with a specialization in Islamic Chaplaincy Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies with a specialization in Islamic Studies

Take the Next Step

Broaden your perspective. Deepen your ability to make a difference. Hartford International University programs prepare religious leaders and peacemakers who go beyond their own beliefs to embrace people of all faiths.

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Islamic Chaplaincy Pathway

Pathways to Islamic Chaplaincy