Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
The need for Chaplains is great – they offer spiritual and pastoral care in diverse setting from hospitals to the military.
In a world in which church attendance is dwindling, chaplains working in secular settings sometimes serve as the only point of contact between people in the wider community and the Christian church. And those serving as chaplains within the Canadian Armed Forces minister to military personnel and their families, regardless of their religious affiliation.
At Acadia Divinity College you will develop theological understandings of the chaplain’s unique call and be equipped in pastoral interventions, crisis response and stress management. You will also be well-trained to provide support to those facing mental health concerns, struggling with addictions, at risk of suicide, or dealing with grief and loss. Students who enter this MA program will choose whether they want to focus on general chaplaincy or specifically prison chaplaincy, and will complete supervised experience units particular to their area of focus.
The Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, a centre of excellence at ADC, fosters and promotes clinical and theological excellence in Pastoral Care through personal growth, the building of professional capacities and rigorous theological reflection.
For admission requirements and tuition information visit the Master of Arts (Theology) page.
Contact
Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias

Program Overview
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours Core Courses IDTH 5010 Orientation Pass / Fail BIBL 5023 Interpreting the Old Testament 3 BIBL 5033 Interpreting the New Testament 3 CHUR 5013 Introduction to Christian History 3 THEO 5013 Christian Theology 1 3 THEO 5023 Christian Theology 2 3 THEO 7113 or
THEO 6013Christian Theology in a Pluralistic Context or
Christian Ethics3 XXXX Elective (1) 3 SPECIALIZATION CHAP 5023 Introduction to Chaplaincy 3 CHAP oror PACC Elective 3 CHAP oror PACC Elective 3 CHAP oror PACC Elective 3 XXXX Practical Theology Elective (2) 3 XXXX Practical Theology Elective 3 XXXX Practical Theology Elective 3 BIBL or CHUR Elective 3 PRACTICUM/strong> CHAP 6013 Personal and Professional Ethics 3 CHAP 7016 Clinical Pastoral Education 1 6 CHAP 7026 (3)
or
CHAP 7103 AND
CHAP 7113Clinical Pastoral Education 2
or
Prison Ministry Practicum 1 AND
Prison Ministry Practicum 26
or
3
3Thesis credit hours 15 Total Credit Hours 60
Electives and Directed Studies should be chosen in consultation with your program supervisor.
- This elective must be Survey of the Bible if the Bible Knowledge Entrance Exam has not successfully been completed.
- Students specializing in Prison Ministry are required to take CHAP 5033
- For students specializing in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care
Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
IDTH 5010 | Orientation | Pass / Fail |
SPECIALIZATION | ||
CHAP 5023 | Introduction to Chaplaincy | 3 |
CHAP or PACC | Elective (1) | 3 |
CHAP or PACC | Elective | 3 |
CHAP or PACC | Elective | 3 |
XXXX | Practical Theology Elective (2) | 3 |
Specialization credit hours | 15 | |
PRACTICUM | ||
CHAP 6013 | Personal and Professional Ethics | 3 |
CHAP 7016 | Clinical Pastoral Education 1 | 6 |
CHAP 7026 (3) or CHAP 7103 AND CHAP 7113 | Clinical Pastoral Education 2 or Prison Ministry Practicum 1 AND Prison Ministry Practicum 2 | 6 or 3 3 |
Thesis credit hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Electives and Directed Studies should be chosen in consultation with your program supervisor.
- Student focusing on Prison Ministry are required to take CHAP 5033
- EVAN/PAST/DISP/SPFM/NXGN/LEDR/PACC
- For student specializing in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care