Graduate degree already completed
For those who only lack the religion credits, the most likely route is to take distance education classes. Residence study is an option but normally those in this position already have a family and the chaplaincy is most likely an unexpected turn in one's career. Many of our number have been taking classes from Lubbuck Christian University. Those who are doing this feel free to comment on the short residence period required each semester.
http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/academics/GradBible/default.htm
I also understand that Fuller Theological Seminary is an option for online courses. Talk with Dr. Keller at BYU as he can advise more specifically in this area.
http://www.fuller.edu/
The least expensive option is going to be BYU. This also seems like a more viable option than in the past as they will probably be expecting chaplain applicants/candidates to need to take classes with the CES students. That said, the trade off here is a sacrifice of experiences in Christian plurality (albeit online ones) for cheaper tuition costs.
http://home.byu.edu/webapp/home/index.jsp
Graduate degree not completed
For those who have yet to complete a graduate degree, you have quite an adventure ahead of you. There are basically three options here.
- If you already plan to get a degree in a helping field, get started as soon as you can taking online religion courses as described above. If you're at a university that has graduate religion classes, take one per semester if your class load permits it.
- The second option, and the one I decided to pursue, is to attend a seminary or divinity school in residence. Even though there are many to choose from, several factors narrow the field considerably. First, the seminary must be accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Fortunately the ATS website lists their schools alphabetically, geographically by state/province, and my personal favorite: by denominational affiliation. Next, its essential to find a school that will at least look at the application of LDS students. Some schools it goes without saying will never admit us, but you'd be surprised how close I came a couple of times. Who knows, if your grades and test scores are better than mine, and consider the fact that LDS and protestant/evangelical relationships are improving over time, you might just get in where I could not. This part is a real adventure. Don't be intimidated. Lastly, look for seminaries you can afford to attend. Tuition will range from 300 to 600 per credit hour (higher at places like Yale, University of Chicago, etc.)
http://www.ats.edu/member_schools/denom.asp
I chose to attend Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, TN. I love it. I encourage this option because it requires Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) credits for its M.Div in Christian Care and Counseling, requires one year of Hebrew and two years of Greek, offers a long term experience interacting with others of various religious faiths, and ultimately, brings you to the same level as other Christian chaplains. They will not be able to dismiss you as easily because you did not go through seminary. But of course I must qualify this portion as strictly my own opinion.
3. Finally, the creation of the new and improved chaplain program at BYU offers a path for those concerned about cost, living outside of Utah, the effects of pluralism on fragile testimonies, or who don't want to hurt their chances to become a general authority. The upside is it only takes two years to complete, versus three in seminary. But I think that's the only upside. Not even a world religions class from a great professor like Dr. Keller can replace getting to experience dialogue with people of diverse religious, not to mention ideological backgrounds.
Consider all these options and others this post will hopefully inspire. Those that know of other paths please comment. Ask questions and I'll try to respond as soon as I can. For more general chaplain candidate information see:
http://armychaplaincy.com/category/chaplain-candidate-program/
Aaron L.
3 comments:
One option that we've found is Trinity Seminary. You can do it completely online - there is no required residency period. Every once and awhile seminars come around to various places nationwide. You can substitute these seminars for classes in your catalog. Most of the time you're able to get a tuition cut (30-45%). For the most part you have to do two "mini" master degrees to make up the total 72 hours required but it's pretty easy to do on top of taking classes for a secular masters degree. For more information see their website at www.trinitysem.edu. The only "glitch" we've found is that they are not yet accredited. The military will accept them as a valid seminary because (1) they are in the process of becoming accredited and (2) accreditated seminaries will accept their course credits towards equal degrees. All you need are three letters from other seminaries stating that they willing to accept those credits. If you need more info on this let us know.
Katrina Marriott (John Brian Marriot - Chap. Cand.)
This is a repost of my deleted comment which had a grammer error.
Good work Katrina. The pertinent regulation allowing transferable religion courses from non-accredited institutions is DA Pamphlet 165-17, Chaplain Personnel Management, para 2-11. I would just caution anyone who decides to take classes from any non-accredited school to double and triple check that your courses will transfer. Accredidation can take years so never bank on the fact that a school will be accredited by the time you graduate.
Tuition at Trinity is a bargain at $187 per credit hour. The 40% military discount advertised on Trinity's webpage stipulates that you must not be receiving tuition assistance to receive the benefit. Given the very low tuition cost, I would pass up the 40% discount and consider TA a free ride scholarship. Not a bad find at all.
One concern though. One thing you will hear consistently from everyone from chaplain recruiters to church military relations to currently serving chaplains is that where you earn your religion degree(s)matters. Not only that, but what degree you earned also speaks for you or against you (or perhaps just "not for you"). A religious degree is looked upon more favorably than a degree in a helping profession, and a masters of divinity is more valuable than a master of arts in a religious specialty. In addition, and this is really the point, distance education is the red-headed stepchild educatioal tracks. One of the sad realities in the chaplaincy, unlike the officer corps in general, is that we are training for a professional branch- like the doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc. Both in terms of respectability and acceptance among fellow chaplains, and the practical concern of its ability to effectively equip someone for what is essentially a vocation in relationships, distance education is lacking.
When I was investigating this path Frank Clawson told me that the church, LDS soldiers, and LDS chaplains as a whole need chaplains who will reach O-6 and online degrees are unlikely to propel us to the top considering all the other things LDS chaplains have to deal with (stereotypes, religious bigotry, etc). Ask him about the "Unfair Advantage". I swear he will go off for 30 minutes about all this. He also gave the analogy of military doctors. Who would you feel more comfortable with: one who graduated from University of Phoenix, or Harvard Medical School? This is why military relations has worked so hard to get the BYU program going. BYU is, if nothing else, reputable.
Of course we all can't go to ivy league schools and LDS chaplains have done well without "protestant" educational credentials. But I just thought I would pass on the wisdom I was given by Frank when I was considering distance ed.
Aaron L.
Post a Comment