Chaplains work in a wide variety of institutions and contexts, and employment criteria vary, but a degree alone is not sufficient for Professional Chaplaincy. Some organizations and individuals provide spiritual care as offered by volunteers. Some employers require only a theological degree such as an MDiv, others require an MDiv plus a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and some recognize the value of specialized certificates, such as in social justice, community, environmental, or palliative chaplaincy. The Department of Justice requires a degree and specialized requirements for chaplaincy in the Armed Services and VA Hospitals. The most rigorous employment requirement, found in all hospitals and common in Hospice and prisons, is Board Certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains’ certification office (BCCI). There are four requirements for Board Certification, two of which Maitripa College can provide as recognized by APC: Graduate theological education of 72 credits (Maitripa’s MDiv); Endorsement from a Faith-based Community (Maitripa is an Endorser); Four units of CPE; and minimum hours of provisional employment as a chaplain.

