Begin Your Chaplaincy Journey at LIM
Called to chaplaincy? The Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) prepares you for this rewarding path with an online Master of Pastoral Studies degree that combines theological depth with practical ministry skills.
What You'll Gain
LIM's graduate program equips you to provide compassionate spiritual care across diverse settings—from healthcare and hospice to universities, corporations, first responders, and beyond. You'll develop:
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theological reflection skills that connect faith to real-world experience
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professional competencies in communication and collaborative ministry
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spiritual formation practices essential for supporting others' wellbeing
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pastoral depth shaped through focus areas like Pastoral Care, Christian Spirituality, and more
Our integrated approach weaves spiritual formation throughout your coursework, helping you explore the psychological, spiritual, and sociological dimensions of ministry while honoring the dignity of every person you serve.
Your Path to Certification
LIM's MPS degree prepares you for certification through major chaplaincy organizations:
National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)
Key Requirements for Board Certification:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Master's degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, pastoral ministry, pastoral studies, or spirituality from an accredited institution (LIM's MPS fulfills this requirement)
- Four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from an NACC-accredited site
- Roman Catholic faith affiliation or membership in a church in union with Rome
- NACC Full Membership
View complete requirements at NACC»
Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)
APC offers two certification levels:
Associate Certified Chaplain (ACC)
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Master's degree (minimum 30 semester hours) in theology, philosophy, or psychology (LIM's MPS fulfills this requirement
- Competency: 24 semester hours covering three of four competency areas (history of religious tradition, spiritual practices, sacred texts, world religions)
- Total graduate hours: 48
- Four units of CPE from an accredited provider
- Faith group endorsement (current within 12 months)
- 2,000 hours of chaplaincy work experience in specialized settings (following CPE completion)
Professional competence demonstration through written materials and interview
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Master's degree (minimum 30 semester hours) in theology, philosophy, or psychology (LIM's MPS fulfills this requirement)
- Competency: 24 semester hours covering three of four competency areas (history of religious tradition, spiritual practices, sacred texts, world religions)
- Total graduate hours: 72
- Four units of CPE from an accredited provider
- Faith group endorsement (current within 12 months)
- 2,000 hours of chaplaincy work experience in specialized settings (following CPE completion)
- Professional competence demonstration through written materials and interview
View complete requirements at APC»
Spiritual Care Association (SCA)
SCA offers three certification levels:
Credentialed Chaplain (CC)
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a chaplaincy-relevant field
- 400 hours of clinical training (such as CPE)
- 1,000 hours of chaplaincy work experience (verified by employer)
- Three letters of recommendation (administrator, BCC chaplain/director, healthcare colleague)
- Competency demonstration through standardized patient exam and clinical knowledge test
- Active SCA membership and ethics accountability
- No faith group endorsement required
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
- Master's degree (minimum 30 credits) in a chaplaincy-relevant field (LIM's MPS fulfills this requirement)
- Additional coursework: One credit (or equivalent) in three of ten specialized areas (quality improvement, research, spiritual assessment, cultural competency, end of life, grief/bereavement, ethics, religious faith systems, communication, or pathophysiology)
- 1,600 hours of clinical training (such as CPE)
- 2,000 hours of chaplaincy work experience (verified by employer)
- Three letters of recommendation and competency demonstrations
- Active SCA membership and ethics accountability
- No faith group endorsement required
Advanced Practice Board Certified Chaplain (APBCC)
- Same requirements as BCC, plus:
- Enhanced coursework requirement: One of the three required credits must involve at least 20 contact hours in the content area
View complete requirements at SCA»
Be sure to review specific certification requirements to confirm the MPS aligns with your goals.
Ready to start? Learn about applying to the MPS program or contact us for more information.