Arts & Humanities

Master of Chaplaincy

The Master of Chaplaincy is a specialised postgraduate programme that provides professional preparation for chaplaincy ministries with broad exposure to theological study. The programme equips students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to serve as professional chaplains in diverse institutional settings.

Core areas include foundations of chaplaincy, chaplaincy formation and professional ethics, multi-religious context chaplaincy, care of the bereaved and dying, worship and healing, theology of creation and human suffering, clinical pastoral education, and research methods. Students engage with biblical, theological, psychological, and pastoral perspectives.

The programme is offered by the Adventist University of Africa through its School of Theology and Religious Studies, and by Pan Africa Christian University through its School of Theology. AUA offers the MChap over two years full-time or three years part-time, while PAC University offers the MA in Chaplaincy fully online over two years.

Students develop competencies in pastoral care, spiritual formation, crisis intervention, grief counselling, multi-faith engagement, institutional chaplaincy, worship leadership, and research. The programme includes coursework, clinical pastoral education internship, practicum, and thesis. At AUA, the clinical pastoral education component requires a supervised six-week internship of 240 hours.

AUA charges tier-based USD fees with Kenyan students at approximately KES 435,600 per year. PAC University charges within the range of KES 90,189 to KES 282,150 per year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religion, or related field with a minimum CGPA of 2.7-3.0.

Graduates serve as chaplains in hospitals, military, correctional facilities, educational institutions, corporate organisations, and community settings, providing spiritual care and support.

Skills Required

Pastoral Care and Spiritual Formation
Crisis Intervention and Grief Counselling
Chaplaincy Ethics and Professional Practice
Multi-Faith and Cross-Cultural Engagement
Biblical and Theological Foundations of Chaplaincy
Worship Leadership and Homiletics
Care of the Bereaved and Dying
Institutional Chaplaincy Practice
Clinical Pastoral Education
Research Methods in Theology and Chaplaincy

Key Subjects

Foundations of Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy Formation and Professional Ethics
Multi-Religious Context Chaplaincy
Care of the Bereaved and Dying
Worship, Homiletics and Healing
Theology of Creation and Human Suffering
Clinical Pastoral Education
Theology of the Old and New Testament
Applied Theology Research Methods
Chaplaincy Practicum and Internship

Certifications

ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education Certification
KAPC Professional Chaplain Certification

Specializations

Healthcare Chaplaincy

Focuses on chaplaincy in hospital and healthcare settings, providing spiritual care to patients, families, and staff, and supporting healing and wellbeing.

Military Chaplaincy

Examines chaplaincy in military and uniformed services, providing spiritual support to service members, families, and veterans in operational and garrison environments.

Correctional Chaplaincy

Covers chaplaincy in correctional facilities, providing spiritual care to inmates, staff, and families, and supporting rehabilitation and restorative justice.

Campus and Educational Chaplaincy

Focuses on chaplaincy in educational institutions, providing spiritual support to students, staff, and faculty, and supporting campus community wellbeing.

Corporate Chaplaincy

Examines chaplaincy in corporate and workplace settings, providing spiritual care and support to employees, and supporting workplace wellbeing and ethics.

Community Chaplaincy

Covers chaplaincy in community settings, providing spiritual care to community members, supporting community development, and addressing community needs.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 292,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Foundations of Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy Formation and Professional Ethics
Multi-Religious Context Chaplaincy
Care of the Bereaved and Dying
Worship, Homiletics and Healing
Theology of Creation and Human Suffering
Clinical Pastoral Education
Theology of the Old and New Testament
Applied Theology Research Methods
Chaplaincy Practicum and Internship

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundation of Chaplaincy
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Overview of the nature and history of chaplaincy ministry, examining biblical and theological foundations of ministry of presence, history and development of chaplaincy, and the chaplain's identity, purpose, and ethical expectations.
Chaplaincy Formation and Professional Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines institutional chaplain ministries including military, healthcare, correctional, and campus chaplaincies, exploring commonalities, distinctiveness, expectations, legal aspects, and professional ethics.
Theology of the Old Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Studies major theological themes of the Old Testament in the light of literary, cultural, and historical contexts of ancient Israel, tracing concepts of God, humankind, covenant, sin, and sacrifice.
Theology of Creation and Human Suffering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores the theology of creation, the results of the Fall giving rise to human suffering and evil, and understanding suffering in the context of God's purpose in creating and redeeming the world.
Multi-Religious Context Chaplaincy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the role of the chaplain in multi-religious contexts, including non-Christian religious worldviews, religious freedom, and the chaplain as reconciler across faith traditions.
Worship, Homiletics and Healing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the role of worship in healing, with emphasis on helping the chaplain prepare, lead, and explore worship as a healing process in institutional and pastoral settings.
Theology of the New Testament
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Surveys New Testament theological themes within the framework of various New Testament books, focusing on unity, authority, and methodologies for New Testament theology.
Care of the Bereaved and Dying
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines biblical, theological, cultural, religious, relational, and psychological aspects of dying and death, and providing emotional and spiritual support to the bereaved.
Applied Theology Research Methods and Writing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and academic writing in theology and chaplaincy, preparing students for their research thesis.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE-1)
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Supervised six-week internship in a specific area of chaplaincy interest, requiring 240 total hours of clinical pastoral education in an institutional setting.
Chaplaincy Practicum
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical chaplaincy placement in an institutional setting, providing hands-on experience in pastoral care, spiritual support, and chaplaincy practice under supervision.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a chaplaincy or theological topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Healthcare Chaplaincy
Focuses on chaplaincy in hospital and healthcare settings, providing spiritual care to patients, families, and staff, and supporting healing and wellbeing.
Military Chaplaincy
Examines chaplaincy in military and uniformed services, providing spiritual support to service members, families, and veterans in operational and garrison environments.
Correctional Chaplaincy
Covers chaplaincy in correctional facilities, providing spiritual care to inmates, staff, and families, and supporting rehabilitation and restorative justice.
Campus and Educational Chaplaincy
Focuses on chaplaincy in educational institutions, providing spiritual support to students, staff, and faculty, and supporting campus community wellbeing.
Corporate Chaplaincy
Examines chaplaincy in corporate and workplace settings, providing spiritual care and support to employees, and supporting workplace wellbeing and ethics.
Community Chaplaincy
Covers chaplaincy in community settings, providing spiritual care to community members, supporting community development, and addressing community needs.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Chaplaincy programme combines lectures, theological reflection, case studies, practicum, and clinical pastoral education. Sessions cover foundations of chaplaincy, chaplaincy formation and ethics, multi-religious context chaplaincy, and care of the bereaved and dying. Foundations of chaplaincy sessions examine the biblical and theological foundations of ministry of presence, the history and development of chaplaincy, and the chaplain's identity and ethical expectations. Chaplaincy formation sessions cover institutional chaplaincy ministries including military, healthcare, correctional, and campus chaplaincies, exploring their commonalities, distinctiveness, and expectations. Multi-religious context sessions examine the role of the chaplain in multi-religious settings, non-Christian worldviews, religious freedom, and the chaplain as reconciler. Care of the bereaved and dying sessions cover biblical, theological, cultural, religious, relational, and psychological aspects of death and providing emotional and spiritual support to the bereaved. Worship and healing sessions examine the role of worship in healing, preparing and leading worship as a healing process. Theology of creation and suffering sessions explore the theology of creation, the Fall, human suffering, and evil. Old and New Testament theology sessions survey major theological themes. Clinical pastoral education involves a supervised six-week internship of 240 hours in a chaplaincy setting. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis. Case studies and verbatim presentations provide practical reflection. The programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides professional preparation for a growing field as institutions increasingly recognise the importance of spiritual care.
Includes clinical pastoral education with supervised internship, providing practical hands-on experience in institutional settings.
PAC University offers the programme fully online, providing flexibility for working professionals.
AUA offers denominational discounts of 20% for employees of Seventh-day Adventist institutions.

Against it

Programme is only offered by two private universities, with no public university option, limiting accessibility and affordability.
AUA's tier-based fee structure can be expensive for Kenyan students at approximately KES 435,600 per year.
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religion, or related field, limiting entry for those from other disciplines.
Career opportunities, while growing, may be limited compared to more mainstream professional degrees.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private115k to 293k

115k at Pan Africa Christian University293k at Adventist University of Africa

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

AUA fees USD-based, tier-dependent. PAC existing. UoN generic MA 220.5K/yr. Maseno unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. AUA offers a 20% denominational discount for employees of Seventh-day Adventist institutions. PAC University offers financial aid for qualifying students. Religious organisations and churches may provide sponsorships for chaplaincy students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AUA Denominational Discount
PAC University Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate theology and chaplaincy studies at recognised universities.
AUA Denominational Discount
DiscountKsh 87,000Kenyan
Adventist University of Africa offers 20% tuition discount for employees of Seventh-day Adventist denominational institutions.
PAC University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Pan Africa Christian University offers financial aid for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating academic merit or financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: AUA requires a Bachelor's degree in Theology/Religion with minimum CGPA 3.0 (or 2.5-2.99 on probation), plus two recommendations from church board and previous university or employer. PAC University requires an undergraduate degree in Theology, Divinity, Religious Studies, or any specialisation with CGPA 2.7 (or 2.5 with two years' experience), or any degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma with CGPA 3.0. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, theological reflection papers, case studies, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering chaplaincy foundations, theology, ethics, multi-religious contexts, and care of the bereaved and dying.
Clinical Pastoral Education and Practicum
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment through supervised clinical pastoral education internship (240 hours), practicum placement, verbatim presentations, and institutional chaplaincy performance.
Research Thesis
Research20% of the mark
Original research thesis on a chaplaincy or theological topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Adventist University of Africa offers MChap through its School of Theology and Religious Studies, and Pan Africa Christian University offers MA in Chaplaincy through its School of Theology. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate theology and chaplaincy education.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Adventist University of Africa offers MChap through its School of Theology and Religious Studies, and Pan Africa Christian University offers MA in Chaplaincy through its School of Theology. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate theology and chaplaincy education.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Hospital Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides spiritual care and support to patients, families, and hospital staff in healthcare settings, supporting healing and wellbeing.
Military Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides spiritual support to military service members, families, and veterans in operational and garrison environments.
Correctional Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides spiritual care to inmates, staff, and families in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and restorative justice.
Campus Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides spiritual support to students, staff, and faculty in educational institutions, supporting campus community wellbeing.
Corporate Chaplain
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides spiritual care and support to employees in corporate and workplace settings, supporting workplace wellbeing and ethics.
Community Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides spiritual care to community members, supporting community development and addressing community needs in diverse settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates serve as chaplains in hospitals, military, correctional facilities, educational institutions, corporate organisations, and community settings providing spiritual care and support.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Bible Software (Logos/ Accordance)
SoftwarePrimary
Bible study and research software for biblical exegesis, theological research, sermon preparation, and chaplaincy resource development.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for research, data analysis, quantitative methods, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for research papers, thesis writing, reports, verbatim documentation, and producing academic and pastoral documents.
Zoom
Software
Video conferencing software for online learning, pastoral counselling sessions, supervision meetings, and remote chaplaincy support.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Chaplaincy is only for ordained ministers or pastors.
While many chaplains have ministerial backgrounds, the programme accepts individuals with theology or religious studies degrees who seek professional chaplaincy preparation, regardless of ordination status.
Chaplains only work in churches.
Chaplains serve in diverse institutional settings including hospitals, military, correctional facilities, educational institutions, corporate organisations, and community settings.
Chaplaincy is only for one denomination.
The programme prepares chaplains for multi-religious contexts, equipping them to serve people of all faiths and no faith in diverse institutional settings.
Chaplaincy is just about praying with people.
Chaplaincy involves pastoral care, crisis intervention, grief counselling, ethical guidance, spiritual formation, worship leadership, and institutional support, requiring diverse professional skills.
The programme is purely theoretical.
The programme includes clinical pastoral education with a supervised six-week internship of 240 hours, practicum placements, and verbatim case presentations for practical skill development.
Chaplaincy has limited career opportunities.
Demand for professional chaplains is growing in healthcare, military, corrections, education, and corporate sectors as institutions increasingly recognise the importance of spiritual care.