The Chaplaincy Program at Beeson Divinity School

Beeson Divinity School is committed to preparing God-called persons for ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ across a broad spectrum of Protestant Christian denominations and traditions and in a variety of ministry roles. Among these roles is the ministry of chaplains.

Prepare for Chaplaincy at Beeson

Learn More

Beeson Divinity School is committed to preparing God-called persons for a variety of ministry roles in the Church of Jesus Christ across a broad spectrum of Protestant Christian denominations and traditions.

Among these roles is the ministry of chaplains, who serve in pastoral capacities in contexts such as the armed forces, hospitals and other clinical settings, home health and hospice services, and workplaces. Chaplains provide much needed Gospel witness and Christian care and counsel in many of life’s most critical times and places. If God is calling you to such a ministry, you will find an excellent program of training and support at Beeson Divinity School.

Program Design and Benefits

A Recommended Track of Study

In addition to the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program’s solid core of biblical and theological coursework, students preparing for chaplaincy are advised to use their 12 elective credits for courses such as Introduction to Chaplaincy Ministry, Marriage & Family Counseling, and Crisis, Trauma, & Grief, or to complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in a local hospital or the chaplain basic course required for military chaplaincy. These students should plan to complete their 8-month supervised ministry practicum in one of many chaplaincy ministry settings in the Birmingham metropolitan area.

Ample Vocational Guidance and Enrichment

Beeson has enlisted the help of chaplains, Christian counselors and strategic partners from various sectors to advise and assist students in their preparation for chaplaincy ministry. These experienced practitioners also provide occasional ministry enrichment events and opportunities for observation in ministry settings.

Personal Support for Students and Alumni

Beyond the networks of support and the scholarship assistance available to all Beeson students, there are other sources of support and assistance designated for students preparing for chaplaincy ministry. For example, Beeson’s advisory board of chaplaincy professionals can provide helpful assistance to students and alumni seeking employment opportunities, supplementing what is available through our placement services office. And scholarships, such as the Hutchens and Holle Scholarships, are designated for students preparing for service as military chaplains.