Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy
More and more organizations are interested in the spiritual health of the people they serve. The Chaplaincy concentration integrates Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE) training with our Master of Divinity program, and helps students start the journey towards a professional spiritual care career in a variety of fields. While many graduates go on to provide spiritual care in hospitals, others work as chaplains or spiritual care providers in care homes, on college campuses, in emergency shelters, in interfaith chapels, in the military, for church denominations, and more.
Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE)
The Chaplaincy concentration integrates Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE) training with our Masters in Divinity program, and starts students on the journey of receiving the skills required to provide professional spiritual care for those who need it.
The CPE curriculum was developed by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) and equips future chaplains to provide excellent care in this field of work. Employment requirements for spiritual care providers vary province-by-province and country-by-country. This concentration gives students a significant head start towards completing those requirements.
In order to complete this concentration, MDiv students must complete two units of CPE through Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health, or Fraser Health (see below for details).
Notes:
- The Chaplaincy concentration is only available for students in the MDiv program. Students in the MATS program who are interested in CPE may transfer up to two units into their program within standard transfer credit and program requirement allowances.
- For more information on chaplaincy and Clinical Psychospiritual Education, visit the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) website.
- For more information or for help navigating this concentration, please connect with Regent's Academic Advisor.
MDiv Course & Credit Requirements
For a Chaplaincy concentration in the MDiv program, you will need to complete the Foundational Core Courses and most of the Additional Requirements listed on the MDiv program page. The concentration requirements are as follows:
| Concentration Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Two transferred units of CPE (6 credits each)* | 12 |
| Elective credits in a chaplaincy-related area (ethics, counselling, pastoral care, multiculturalism, or theological anthropology) | 3 |
| Applied Theology seminar | 3 |
*These transfer credits take the place of the following MDiv courses:
- Pastoral Care (APPL 546)
- Supervised Ministry A (APPL 693)
- Supervised Ministry B (APPL 694)
- 3 elective credits
Chaplaincy students may participate in the life of their MDiv cohort by auditing the classroom portions of Supervised Ministry A and B. Students are encouraged to use the Student 50% Audit Benefit. Standard eligibility requirements for that benefit will apply.
Additional Information
CPE Requirements
CPE unit leaders expect applicants to have completed academic work in biblical studies, doctrinal theology, and pastoral ministry prior to acceptance. They advise that MDiv students should complete 18 credit hours—including Old Testament Foundations, New Testament Foundations, Theology I and/or II, and Soul of Ministry—before applying for a CPE unit. Questions about CPE academic requirements should be directed to the unit leaders listed below.
To apply for Clinical Psychospiritual Education, please connect with one of the three CPE Contacts listed below. The CPE application process is independent from Regent College, and students are responsible for their own admission into these training units. Your CPE contact can provide you with accurate information on the timing of the units, workload, and application expectations in their health authority.
When you have completed your CPE unit, submit a letter from your CPE supervisor and a Credit Transfer Application to Academic Advising so we can apply those credits to your program. Fill out a Credit Transfer Application here.
CPE Contacts
These CPE unit leaders are here to help you navigate the ins and outs of preparing an application. Get in touch with any questions or to start your application today!
| Health Authority | Unit Leader | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Coastal Health |
Arun Chatterjee 604-875-5050 |
|
| Providence Health |
Francis Lau 604-874-1141 ext. 78005 |
CPE brochure (PDF) Application Form (PDF) |
| Fraser Health |
Don Cowie 236-332-1607 |
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for CPE units is set by CASC/ACSS and is usually paid through Vancouver School of Theology (VST).
Please note that you are not eligible for Regent financial aid during terms in which you are only taking CPE credits.
- If you are enrolled in an intensive CPE unit in the Fall (6 transfer credits), you must take an additional 3 credits to be eligible for financial aid and/or Canadians student loans in that term.
- If you are enrolled in a year-long CPE unit over Fall and Winter (3 transfer credits per term), you will need to enroll in at least 3 additional credits per term in order to be eligible for financial aid. (Please note that you will need to take an additional 6 credits per term to be eligible for Canadian student loans, which generally require 9 credits per term.)
After you pay for CPE through VST, bring your proof of registration and payment to Regent in order to verify your CPE units for financial aid eligibility and/or Canadian student loans.
