MILITARY CHAPLAINCY SPECIALIZATION

Military Chaplaincy Specialization

Wesley Theological Seminary has a long commitment to training, equipping, and supporting persons called to chaplaincy within the various branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Military Chaplaincy specialization invites Master of Divinity students to explore and prepare for this vocational calling while also pursuing ordination or credentialing in their own spiritual tradition, fulfilling current requirements of the respective Armed Services.

Students in this specialization will be guided by CH (COL-Ret) James Driscoll, a UMC pastor who served in the National Guard and Reserves as well as active duty with the Army, recently retiring from the Chief of Chaplains Office in the Pentagon. CH Driscoll is special assistant to the president at Wesley and is a hospital chaplain at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in VA.

Earn a Specialization

Earn your Masters with a Specialization in Military Chaplaincy

In addition to the Masters-level degree requirements, you can obtain a specialization in Military Chaplaincy by taking the following requirements:

Required Courses:

PC-101 Counseling Skills for Ministry (3 credits)
PC-111 Pastoral Care and Counseling in Contexts (3 credits)

PC-201 Introduction to Chaplaincy (2 credits)
PC-491 or PC493 CPE (3 to 6 credits)

(Note: If CPE is completed and is not considered part of the two-year PMM requirement, then it may be counted as an elective.)

PMM Placement in Chaplaincy context
Two Electives: (Selected in conversation with advisor) Can be in any discipline area that addresses core themes/theology of chaplaincy
CPE may be considered if it is not part of the PMM requirement
Can be an Independent Study with student’s military-specific advisor

*Current Master's students, please request the Military Chaplaincy Specialization declaration form from the Registrar's office, Registrar@wesleyseminary.edu.

Admissions Information for Specialization

Admissions

The Military Chaplaincy specialization is only open to Master of Divinity degree students. Non-degree students are not eligible for this concentration. Eligible degree students must declare their intent for participation in the Military Chaplaincy prior to the completion of one-third of their degree.

Students should submit a declaration application to the Registrar's Office to declare their intent. Applications must first be approved by the Military Chaplaincy program director(s).

Admissions Requirements

Application:

Þ Online application: wesleyseminary.edu/apply

Create an account with a username and password
Select 'Master of Divinity'

Þ Personal Statement (400-500 words)

The formative elements in your background, focusing on the most significant people and events that have shaped your faith and identity as a person
Your sense of your vocational call and your professional objective
Your reasons for wanting to pursue theological education at Wesley

Note: You must upload your personal statement as a Word document.

Þ Resume

Þ Recommendations

Pastor/Clergy/Endorser
Professor/Employer
Layperson

Þ Transcripts from previous undergraduate and graduate schools

Program requirements

Required Courses:

PC-101 Counseling Skills for Ministry (3 credits)
PC-111 Pastoral Care and Counseling in

Contexts (3 credits)

PC-201 Introduction to Chaplaincy (2 credits)
PC-491 or PC493 CPE (3 to 6 credits)

(Note: If CPE is completed and is not considered part of the two-year PMM requirement, then it may be counted as an elective.)

PMM Placement in Chaplaincy context
Two Electives: (Selected in conversation with advisor) Can be in any discipline area that addresses core themes/theology of chaplaincy
CPE may be considered if it is not part of the PMM requirement
Can be an Independent Study with student’s military-specific advisor

Preview the courses

Student receives communion, embodying spiritual connection and the transformative journey at Wesley Theological Seminary