Chaplain with patient and family

Your Career

Chaplains provide spiritual guidance to medical patients and their families, as well as facility staff members, of various faiths and religious belief systems. Of the almost 50,000 clergy employed in the US, 28% of them serve in hospitals, home health organizations, and skilled nursing facilities. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts the number of hospital chaplains will rise 16% through 2026, which is much faster than the average national job growth rate.

Popular Careers in Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy

Earning a Master of Science in Spiritual Care prepares you to serve as a chaplain in a wide range of settings.

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  • Praying with patient

    Hospital Chaplain

    Median Salary: $51,247

    As a hospital chaplain, you will experience a wide range of spiritual care opportunities, from blessing a new life brought into the world to providing comfort as one nears end of life. Chaplains guide patients and their loved ones through a whole person healing process, serving as a listening ear for concerns and spiritual struggles and source of strength through grief and loss. Hospital chaplains also minister to clinicians and staff within the healthcare facility. Source

     

     

  • spiritual-care-holding-hands

    Hospice Chaplain

    Median Salary: $49,000

    Chaplains working in hospice facilities provide focused care for those experiencing life-altering illness. They minister to individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, serving as a source of emotional and spiritual support. Hospice chaplains also coordinate with community clergy and congregations, such as assisting families with funeral arrangements and memorial service plans. Source

     

     

  • Military Chaplain reading a bible

    Military Chaplain

    Median Salary: $60,630

    Serving as commissioned officers, military chaplains are responsible for the spiritual well-being of armed forces members and their families, providing advice on matters of religion and morale. They oversee a range of programs, such as counseling sessions, workshops, and religious education, and also officiate official ceremonies, such as funerals and memorials. Source

How an Online MS in Spiritual Care Can Help Advance Your Career

The innovative MS in Spiritual Care provides those in pursuit of chaplaincy an alternative to the traditional requirement of a Master of Divinity. By pursuing a degree focused on spiritual care in healthcare settings, graduates receive a targeted education in the ministry of whole person care. Backed by AdventHealth, a national healthcare organization with over 30 years of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) experience, students will experience a modern approach to chaplaincy training designed to challenge and expand upon their world view.  Graduates of the Online MS in Spiritual Care program will:

  • Expand their cultural and ethical knowledge in healthcare
  • Conduct research and evidence-based practice
  • Gain knowledge of a wide range of religion and belief systems
  • Provide interdisciplinary spiritual guidance

If you are ready to advance your career, learn more about AHU’s online MSSC program today:

Apply to Begin Your MS in Spiritual Care

Contact an Admissions Coordinator today for more information.