Program Overview
The Doctor of Divinity in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is an advanced religious education program designed for individuals seeking doctoral-level preparation in Christian chaplaincy, pastoral care, spiritual support, counseling, biblical interpretation, and ministry leadership. The program integrates advanced study of chaplaincy and pastoral ministry with Christian counseling, family care, psychology, reconciliation, and biblical and theological reflection. Students engage the foundations and expectations of chaplaincy, chaplaincy opportunities, pastoral counseling, Christian counseling and family therapy, leadership and reconciliation, principles of biblical interpretation, Christ and culture, and the psychology of learning. Through these areas of study, students examine complex pastoral and spiritual-care situations requiring theological discernment, compassionate presence, ethical judgment, cultural awareness, and responsible Christian ministry practice. The program emphasizes doctoral-level theological reflection, pastoral judgment, advanced spiritual care, Christian counseling integration, leadership, scholarly inquiry, and the responsible application of Scripture within diverse ministry and chaplaincy environments. The program culminates in doctoral research and a dissertation, through which students demonstrate their ability to investigate significant issues in chaplaincy and pastoral care, integrate biblical and academic scholarship, and contribute meaningfully to Christian ministry practice and scholarship.