Master of Arts in Chaplaincy Faith and Care Intertwined
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Degree Options
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Learn to Give Spiritual Guidance in a Variety of Settings with Liberty’s MA in Chaplaincy
Do you have a calling to provide biblically based guidance and advice? Whether you are already in a position to provide spiritual guidance or want to pursue that career, conferring Liberty’s Master of Arts (MA) in Chaplaincy – General degree might be the next right step for you. This chaplaincy degree is designed for those who want to expand their marketability without undertaking the extensive time needed for a Master of Divinity.
Our Master of Arts in Chaplaincy can help you acquire the skills you’ll need to be a chaplain in Christian ministry and secular settings like businesses, college campuses, sports organizations, and among first responders for medical emergencies. As you pursue your chaplaincy education, you can explore an in-depth study of Scripture, the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, spiritual care, and biblical leadership principles and strategies.
By earning your chaplaincy master’s degree online at Liberty, you can study the art of serving others in a way that points them to Christ. Explore theological and cultural issues relevant to formal and informal chaplaincy settings while learning to minister to diverse audiences. Embark on the journey God has called you to with Liberty University at your side.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Accreditation
Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
What is a MA in Chaplaincy?
An MA in Chaplaincy provides a combination of theological education, pastoral care training, and practical experience, where you can learn how to meet the spiritual needs of people from all walks of life. Courses cover topics such as crisis intervention, ethics, and the role of the chaplain in different institutions, helping you to gain insight into handling the unique challenges of chaplaincy work.
What Will You Study in Our Online Chaplaincy Degree?
You will take courses that cover a variety of topics, including professional development, chaplain ethics, an introduction to pastoral counseling, and theology. Your courses are designed to make you a better teacher of ministry, whether you are at the pulpit or in a small group. Of course, no chaplain degree can be complete without also examining how to be a witness to the Good News in the diverse communities in which you might serve.
The general specialization is designed to give you the flexibility to work in a variety of settings. You can learn to provide Christocentric chaplain leadership and spiritual care within the context of corporations, colleges, sports organizations, first response teams, and prison systems. Additionally, you can explore theoretical concepts associated with the impact and consequences of acute stress on victims, first responders, families, and community members. Another aspect of your training will be learning how to treat people who are dealing with stress in traumatic situations, especially when loss, grief, and death are concerned.
Training to be a resilient leader is another skill that will be invaluable in your chaplaincy career. Not only can you learn how to set the conditions for successful performance at a personal level, but you can also understand how to help individuals and organizations apply biblically based principles to help them rebound from downturns to a brighter future.
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View the Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty's Online Degree?
We know that quality is an important factor when choosing a master’s degree in chaplaincy. That is why all your chaplaincy classes will be taught by professors with advanced degrees in chaplaincy, divinity, and other related areas of study. In addition, Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.
Starting your online degree in chaplaincy doesn’t mean having to put your life on hold. Our chaplain studies program is offered 100% online with no set login times. The general specialization covers a wide range of topics to help better prepare you for the various settings you might find yourself in. Wherever the Lord calls you to serve, Liberty wants to be there to help you be a positive force for Christ in the world.
This chaplaincy degree was designed to meet the need for a program that’s flexible enough to expand your employment options without requiring an extensive time commitment. If you desire to be a chaplain in the military or a hospital, then you might be interested in Liberty’s Master of Divinity – Professional Chaplaincy.
Potential Careers Opportunities for Master’s in Chaplaincy Graduates
- Corporate chaplain
- Hospice chaplain
- Law enforcement / first responder chaplain
- Pastor
- Sports chaplain
- Youth pastor
For hospital and military chaplaincy, you might want to see our Master of Divinity – Professional Chaplaincy to meet the additional requirements.
Degree Options for our MA in Chaplaincy
Specializing in the MA in Chaplaincy program allows you to customize your academic journey to align with your career aspirations and personal calling. Choosing a specialization can help you develop a deeper expertise in your chosen area of ministry.
Generalized Track (No Specialization)
Our online MA in Chaplaincy – General degree is ideal for those seeking to enhance their career opportunities without committing to the extensive time required for a Master of Divinity.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Sports
The online MA in Chaplaincy – Sports can open doors beyond traditional roles in the military and hospitals. Sports chaplains play a vital role in creating spiritually enriching environments within the world of sports, offering athletes counseling, spiritual guidance, and mentorship from religious leaders.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.
*Electronic textbooks are not provided for PACO courses or courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,750 |
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Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $395/Credit |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,475 |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online MA in Chaplaincy Degree Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a [INSERT GPA] GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Admission to this program also requires:
- The School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
- Submission of contact information (login required) for 1 pastoral recommender.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,475 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)**
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.
**Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the benefit of pursuing a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy online?
You will be able to network with ministry leaders from around the country.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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