MDiv in Professional Chaplaincy Program – General Craft Effective Chaplain Strategies

75
Credit Hours
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
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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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 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
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 100% 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 learn from 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.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Corporate chaplain
- First responder chaplain
- Law enforcement chaplain
- Military chaplain
Featured Courses
- CHPL 621 – Mentoring for Clinical Pastoral Education Unit 1
- CPED 631 – Clinical Pastoral Education Unit 1*
- CHPL 645 – Chaplain Resilient Leaders
- CHPL 699 – Chaplaincy Internship
*Course guide coming soon
Degree Information
- This program falls under Liberty’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View our Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan

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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.
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,750 |
---|---|
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
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.
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

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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
Do you need to have a degree to be a chaplain?
Most organizations require at least a bachelor’s degree for you to serve as a chaplain. In addition, many institutions prefer job candidates who have also completed a divinity master’s program. Whether or not you hold a ministry-related bachelor’s degree, our MDiv in Professional Chaplaincy can help you pursue your career goals.
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.
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