“The traditional model for ministry as a chaplain is changing, and the Seminary of the Southwest is taking the leading role in implementing that change.”

New to the seminary's Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree program is the Chaplaincy Track. This new concentration is a 72-hour degree program designed in compliance with the Association of Professional Chaplains’ requirements for recognition as a Board Certified Chaplain.

The basic structure of the Chaplaincy track follows that of the other MAPM tracks: core curriculum consists of six courses of basic theological, historical and ethical material for ministry. Other required coursework equips students for general chaplaincy ministry in a variety of settings. Elective courses enable students to broaden and/or deepen their understanding of particular ministries in specified settings (e.g., hospice, VA hospitals, prisons, workplaces, schools, disaster relief, etc.) Although the MAPM program is designed to be accessible to people who work in the daytime, the chaplaincy track provides flexible course options to allow for overlap between daytime and evening offerings and a variety of timetable for the completion of the degree. A student might complete the degree is as few as three years, and a maximum of six years for completing the degree is allowed.

To become a Board Certified Chaplain, a total of four units of CPE are required. Please note that this program does not provide for CPE to be undertaken while pursuing the degree. If board certification is desired, it will be up to the student to pursue CPE upon graduation. This is similar to our counseling program, in which a post-graduate internship is required of our Master of Arts in Counseling students in order to qualify for state-sponsored licensing.

 “Not all chaplains need to be ordained clergy, so this degree meets an important need,” said Joseph Liro, admissions director at the Seminary of the Southwest. “The traditional model for ministry as a chaplain is changing, and the Seminary of the Southwest is taking the leading role in implementing that change.”

Seminary of the Southwest news release announcing program in March 2007

MAPM Chaplaincy Track

Through core courses in biblical studies, history, theology and ethics and an in-depth study of issues in and approaches to chaplaincy, students will learn:

qTo understand key aspects of biblical history and the social world of the Bible from a cross-cultural perspective and to exercise awareness of a variety of cultural perspectives that affect reading scripture today;

qTo read appreciatively and critically diverse and influential texts in the history of Christian theology and the literature of spiritual guidance with an eye to their interpretation in light of contemporary concerns;

qTo bring contemporary questions and issues of faith and the challenges it faces in the world of work and society into deep and productive conversation with the Christian tradition, its Anglican expressions, and with other faith traditions;

qTo master skills and understanding in the competency areas required for Board Certification as a chaplain;

qTo be academically ready to proceed to the next stage of preparation for Board Certification;

qTo articulate a theology of spiritual care that is integrated with a theory of pastoral practice;

qTo function within the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, and Pastoral Counselors, and,

qTo offer pastoral care that respects diversity and differences including, but not limited to gender, sexual orientation, culture, or religious practices.

CHAPLAINCY TRACK COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Core Curriculum (18 credits)

Required Courses (33 credits)

C5304 Appraisal and Assessment Techniques

C5308 Cultural Differences, Community and Human Flourishing

C5317 Medical Issues and Healing Presence

F5305 Faith Development and Spiritual Type

L5310 Ritual and Ritualization

P5310 Preaching & Teaching for the Chaplain

P5320 Organizational Behavior/Systems Theory

P5330 Issues of Identity and Authority in Chaplaincy

P5340 Issues in Death and Dying

P5350 Issues in Loss and Bereavement

P5360 Ministry in Times of Crisis

Elective Credits (21 credits)

MAPM Chaplaincy Track

Required Courses

C5304 Appraisal and Assessment Techniques. The principles, concepts and procedures of systematic assessment of an individual’s attitudes, aptitudes, interests and personal characteristics using testing and interview techniques. Offered Spring 2008

C5308 Cultural Differences, Community and Human Flourishing. This course will examine cross-cultural perspectives in working with individuals and groups other than one’s own. We will explore the implications of contemporary writings on the nature of community and the theology of culture for rethinking human flourishing and therapeutic endeavor. Offered Spring 2008

C5317 Medical Issues and Healing Presence. Students will be introduced to models and strategies for assisting others in the healing arts of lay ministry. Illness, shut-ins, dying, death, health care, reproduction and end-of-life issues will be discussed.Offered Fall 2009

F5305 Faith Development and Spiritual Type. This course is an intensive study of faith development theory and spiritual typology. It will focus on the seminal work of James Fowler augmented by the work of Erickson, Piaget and Kohlberg. Students use faith development interviews as a diagnostic tool for use in personal and group work as well as in spiritual direction. We also bring other “spiritual maps” into play. Jungian types as interpreted by Myers-Briggs and other models are employed as an attempt to understand the mystery of persons on a spiritual journey. Offered Fall 2007

L5310 Ritual and Ritualization. This course examines the role of ritual in chaplaincy work and specific rites that the chaplain may be called on to administer. Examination of the theology and theory of ritual grounds the chaplain for the demands placed on ministry in a pluralistic context. Rites from the Episcopal/Anglican tradition are explored as one liturgical resource.

P5310 Preaching and Teaching for the Chaplain. This course is a practicum in the art of translating theological concepts into conversational tools and preachable prose for application in various situations confronting the chaplain. Preparation, design and delivery of a homily and/or verbatim reports of and reflection on theologically-informed conversations will aid in development of a serviceable verbal repertoire to assist the chaplain in her ministry.

P5320 Organizational Development/Systems Theory. This course examines organizations and behavior appropriate to them, ways of analyzing complex situations arising within organizational life, remedies to sick systems, and ways to aid in organizational growth. Particular attention will be paid to the complicated role of the chaplain in non-parochial organizations and the prophetic task which can often be compromised by corporate interests.

P5330 Issues of Identity and Authority in Chaplaincy. Within the context of theology of ministry, this course explores various models of chaplaincy, addressing issues of ministerial identity and authority, clarification of role, professional boundaries, and the place of the chaplain within the church and within secular organizations.

P5340 Issues in Death and Dying. This course addresses critical issues, themes and needs of those facing death, exploring theological, ethical, spiritual and relational dimensions. Significant literature in the field of thanatology is explored, as well as resources and models of care for those who are dying.

P5350 Issues in Loss and Bereavement. Loss takes many forms and bereavement is expressed in many ways. This course introduces students to theories of grief and bereavement and their application to various life situations, with a focus on factors that complicate the mourning process. Students are introduced to models of ministry to people and communities who are grieving.

P5360 Ministry in Times of Crisis. Understanding the nature of crisis in the lives of individuals and communities from the perspective of theology and Scripture as well as the behavioral sciences grounds the work of the chaplain in various settings and situations. Models of care, intervention and advocacy will be addressed.

Elective Courses

C5301 Normal Human Development. A study of the processes and stages of human intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development from their prenatal origins through maturation to old age and death. Offered Spring 2009

C5302 Abnormal Human Behavior. Utilizing the psychological sciences, this course will present the principles for understanding dysfunction in human behavior, both in individuals and organizations. Offered Fall 2007

C5314 Chemical Dependency and Addictive Behaviors. A specialized course addressing one of society’s most urgent problems. Students will learn theories of cause and treatment for chemical dependencies and self-defeating addictive behaviors. Effects on the addicted person and their families and associates will be addressed. Offered Fall 2008

C5315 Counseling Children and Adolescents. The developmental lives of children and adolescents. Familial and societal influences, as well as biological factors affecting behavior will be considered. Offered Spring 2010

C5316 Brief Therapy Techniques and Crisis Management. The emergence of managed care has fostered the development of new therapies which provide immediate intervention and are aimed at problem solving. The counselor will need such tools for today’s clients, as well as the skills for managing crises that arise in the lives of those they treat. Offered Spring 2009

C5321 Counseling from a Pastoral Perspective. The goals of this course are that each student gain a historical understanding of pastoral counseling from ancient times to the present. Also covered will be the theologies, theories and distinctive models of pastoral counseling. The course will conclude with an overview of how this counseling approach is practiced as a contemporary ministry of the faith communities. Offered Spring 2008

D5302 Inclusivity/Exclusivity: Divisions of Race, Gender and Economics. An examination of divisions within society and how these affect the life of the individual and the Christian community. Ethical, biblical and philosophical resources will be brought to bear in a lively exchange with text and teacher. Offered Fall 2007

D5304 Money as Metaphor. An exploration of the spirit and logic of money, examining how our attitudes toward money shape the way we experience our work, our possessions and each other. Since Jesus teaches so often on the topic, money provides a point of departure for a dialogue between the Christian Gospel and “the economic way of thinking” – a distinct theology with its own “good news.” The course examines the gospel perspective on economic life as well as the economist’s perspective on the life of the church.Offered Spring 2008

D5305 Spirituality in the Workplace. This course explores the challenges associated with bridging the worship place and workplace, seeking to identify and respond to the perceived lack of correlation between these two important components of life in today’s world. Through a combination of lectures and reflective dialogue, we try to re-define concepts such as “work,” “vocation” and “spirituality” by examining aspects of Christian scripture, tradition and contemporary writings, both religious and secular. Offered Spring 2009

F5304 Prayer, Action and the Contemplative Life. An examination of the causes for spiritual burn-out and dryness among those in the helping professions. Students explore ways of praying, crafting and maintaining a contemporary Rule of Life and other spiritual disciplines for nourishment and growth throughout a lifetime. Offered Spring 2010

 F5309 Art and Soul: The Creative Dialogue of Faith. Art can express feelings about God and communicate with others about God, just as do words. This powerful course explores the visual and tactile arts as they intersect with personal faith. You do not need to be a gifted artist, or an artist of any kind, in order to deepen your connection to God and your creative self through the arts. Taught by professional artists and a theologian. Offered Spring 2010

F5316 Practicum in Theological Reflection. Students engage in disciplined theological reflection using texts from literature and popular culture and from personal and ministerial experience. Various models and methodologies of theological reflection will be used, including individual and group work.

P5301 Establishing and Maintaining a Workplace Chaplaincy. This course examines the successful model of corporate chaplaincy at Zachery Construction in San Antonio, Texas. Assessing the particular chaplaincy needs of any corporate setting, selling the management on establishing a chaplaincy program, and maintaining a chaplaincy once established are the focus of this course.