Where can this degree take me?
The Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care (MA in CMC) is designed to develop pastoral and spiritual life counseling skills. This degree has three prime applications:
- As a stand-alone degree, it offers excellent preparation for those who will serve in local churches in a direct helping ministries or in public settings as a chaplain.
- It combines easily with additional theological coursework for those who desire to serve in the role of chaplain (i.e. spiritual care provider) in ministry, healthcare, first-responder, church or business organization.
- If you are interested in military chaplaincy, an MDiv is required, though our Chaplaincy degree is an ideal supplement and can be completed alongside your MDiv at TEDS.
The emphasis of the MA in CMC is on direct, interpersonal communication and face-to-face engagement with those seeking spiritual care. The variety of counseling training options available at Trinity requires careful assessment prior to beginning a program of study. In addition to the MA in CMC, students will also want to consider the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling*, since the MA in CMC degree recipient is not eligible for a license as a mental health counselor. However, credentials as a professional chaplain are obtainable with this degree as a foundation (i.e. Association of Professional Chaplains). Board certification requires 72 hours from a graduate theological institution and is feasible by combining the MA in CMC degree with further theological coursework (i.e. Master of Arts in Theological Studies or Master of Divinity). For board certification the graduate will need to secure three additional units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and obtain formal endorsement or ordination from your church community or denomination.
* The MA in CMC replaces our former Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry. Our admissions team is happy to provide detailed information on the programs we currently have available to help students select the one most appropriate for their career path.
What will I study?
Courses you’ll take include the following: