The Doctor of Divinity (D.Div.) in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is an advanced professional and ministerial degree designed to equip seasoned pastors, chaplains, and spiritual care leaders for high-level service in complex and demanding care environments. This program emphasizes spiritual leadership, pastoral presence, and compassionate care for individuals and communities facing crisis, transition, trauma, illness, and loss. Growth and development are central as students deepen their calling to provide Christ-centered care with wisdom, humility, and resilience.
This degree is designed for ordained ministers, chaplains, pastoral caregivers, and senior ministry leaders who serve in hospitals, military settings, correctional institutions, hospice care, disaster response, educational institutions, and community organizations. It is especially suited for those who sense a calling to advanced pastoral leadership, supervisory chaplaincy, and ministry oversight. Chaplaincy and pastoral care are understood as sacred ministries of presence, listening, advocacy, and hope.
Students engage in advanced study of pastoral theology, spiritual care theory, trauma-informed ministry, crisis response, grief care, and ethical decision-making. The program integrates theological reflection with real-world pastoral application, preparing leaders to care for people from diverse backgrounds while remaining rooted in biblical truth and Christian compassion. Growth and development occur as students refine their pastoral identity, strengthen emotional and spiritual maturity, and expand their capacity to serve faithfully in high-pressure environments.
The Doctor of Divinity in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care prepares graduates for senior chaplain roles, pastoral supervisors, clinical pastoral educators, denominational leaders, crisis response coordinators, consultants, and mentors to emerging chaplains and pastors. Graduates are equipped to offer calm, Christ-centered leadership in moments of profound need, embodying the love of God through skilled pastoral care and spiritual guidance.
What You’ll Learn
- Biblical and theological foundations of chaplaincy and pastoral care
- Advanced pastoral care theory and spiritual caregiving models
- Ministry of presence in crisis, trauma, illness, and loss
- Grief, bereavement, and end-of-life spiritual care
- Ethical decision-making in pastoral and chaplaincy contexts
- Interfaith and cross-cultural spiritual care competencies
- Pastoral leadership in institutional and community settings
- Self-care, resilience, and spiritual formation for caregivers
- Supervision, mentoring, and leadership development in chaplaincy
- Applied doctoral research and reflective pastoral practice