Online MDiv | General Chaplaincy Program

Credit Hours

Online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: March 23, 2026 | May 18, 2026 | June 29, 2026

Launch Your Career in Ministry with Liberty University’s Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy – General Program

If you want to prepare for Christian ministry beyond the walls of the church, conferring Liberty’s online Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Professional Chaplaincy – General degree might be the right path for you. Our program could help equip you to serve as a chaplain in a variety of settings, including hospitals, corporations, sports teams, or the military.

Even if you haven’t completed a ministry-related bachelor’s degree, you can still take the next step toward a chaplaincy role by completing Liberty’s MDiv program. Our general chaplaincy track allows you to mix and match unique courses so that you can tailor your degree to meet your ministry goals. At Liberty, you can gain prestigious credentials and hands-on chaplain experience that can help set you apart as a leader in your field.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Professional Chaplaincy – General.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

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600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose An Online Master’s Program in Chaplaincy – General?

If you are looking to pursue full-time ministry, Liberty University’s MDiv is a great option. As pioneers in distance learning, we’re committed to providing an education that works with your schedule. This program is offered online and offers the flexibility you need to take the next step in your career. You can complete your classes from the comfort of your home and easily access your course materials whenever you need them.

In this program, you’ll study under professors who have years of experience as chaplains and ministers. Our faculty are passionate about what they do, knowledgeable in their field, and dedicated to helping you develop your ministry skills and prepare for the future. You can be confident that your accredited degree from Liberty University can help you pursue exciting opportunities in the professional world.

Receive Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Training
As part of Liberty’s online graduate program in chaplaincy, you can complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training. These units are designed to combine academic study with supervised, hands-on clinical experience.

CPE courses provide you with valuable experience and mentorship from seasoned chaplaincy professionals, allowing you to attain mastery of chaplain ministry. By completing CPE units, you can be more equipped to effectively minister to people in your institution or organization. You can learn how to help people of all ages face challenges and grow in their personal walk with Christ.

To provide you with maximum flexibility, Liberty University’s chaplain program offers 2 ways to complete your CPE training:

Residential Intensives

You can complete your CPE courses as 1-week intensives on Liberty’s campus. This format lets you take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities and connect face-to-face with other ministry students and faculty. Our residential modules are accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
During your intensives, you will work in a clinical site with guidance and approval from our CPE program director.

Online Mentoring

You can also complete your CPE units with an ACPE-accredited training program in your area.
In addition to working at a clinical setting near you, you’ll receive virtual mentorship from Liberty’s chaplaincy faculty. That way, you can develop your skills, learn from chaplaincy professionals, and gain hands-on experience — all without needing to leave town!

What Will You Study in Our MDiv in Chaplaincy Online Program?

Liberty’s master’s online in chaplaincy provides the core ministry coursework and specialized training you need to impact the world for Christ. In this program, you’ll complete 63 credit hours of ministry-focused studies. These courses explore a variety of topics, including world religions, biblical leadership, intercultural communication, sermon preparation, and pastoral counseling. You’ll also dive into the history of Christianity and take Greek and Hebrew classes so that you can increase your understanding of the Bible in its original languages.

Several of our core courses focus specifically on chaplaincy. For example, you will shadow professional chaplains in various settings so that you can learn about the skills, strategies, and character traits needed to succeed as a chaplain. You can also explore matters such as ministry, ethics, evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual development in the context of chaplaincy.

Within the general area of study, you can learn how to become a resilient chaplain, lead others through crises, and help individuals and organizations overcome challenges. To gain real-world experience, you can complete CPE training or a chaplaincy internship.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,850
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$410/Credit
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,575
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our General MDiv Degree in Professional Chaplaincy

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 2.0 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.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

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

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

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 – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
Discounted divinity block rate – $2,575 per semester*
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder **
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, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online General MDiv – Professional Chaplaincy Degree

Do you need to have a degree to be a chaplain?

Is a chaplain the same as a pastor?

Pastors and chaplains have much in common, and it is possible for an individual to serve in both roles. However, the duties and responsibilities of a chaplain often differ from those of a pastor.

Pastors typically serve within the church and minister to local congregations. In contrast, chaplains provide spiritual guidance and support in secular institutions outside the church. They may serve in hospitals, companies, prisons, nursing homes, police and fire departments, and schools, among other places. As a chaplain, you have the unique opportunity to meet the spiritual needs of those who may not attend church on a regular basis.

Are you ready to change your future?

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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MDiv in Professional Chaplaincy Program – General Craft Effective Chaplain Strategies

Launch Your Career in Ministry with Liberty University’s Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy – General Program

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose An Online Master’s Program in Chaplaincy – General?

What Will You Study in Our MDiv in Chaplaincy Online Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our General MDiv Degree in Professional Chaplaincy

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Military

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online General MDiv – Professional Chaplaincy Degree

Do you need to have a degree to be a chaplain?

Is a chaplain the same as a pastor?

Are you ready to change your future?

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