2 answers
1
Question
Asked
1861 views
Does anybody know how I can become a Catholic Chaplin and what colleges can I attend?
Does anybody know how I can become a Catholic Chaplin and what colleges can I attend? I am a Catholic female, and I feel I have a calling to become one, but I am still figuring out whom I can talk to and hear others experiences on how they became a Chaplain or Catholic Chaplain. I also want to know if anybody is in the miliary and became a Chaplain in the military as well.
I am also very interested in Psychology so I will be taking an Introduction to Psychology and also taking courses on becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor.
Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you all! Thank you!!
Login to comment
2 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Fermina !
Your plans sound so wonderful and it is awesome that you are reaching out for information.
You have some options. Since women can not hold ordained positions in the Catholic Church, and that includes women being Catholic Chaplains there are things to consider. Since Catholic Seminary study is for the purpose of and end goal of being ordained, you may want to reconsider not taking the seminary path, although they do allow women to attend in the Catholic Seminary for up to a Masters Program, but once you obtain that, you'd not be able to be a chaplain or any other ordained position in the Catholic Church.
That being said, if you really want to take the seminary route, you can be a lay Chaplain. A lay Chaplain is someone who provides services to people of all and no religions. You may want to consider attending a University for this option (not a seminary) and Majoring in Religion, Theology, Pastoral Counseling or Psychology. Universities near you (they're all private colleges) for these degrees would be Fresno Pacific University, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University. I would recommend studying and training at the university because it will prepare you to serve all individuals of all faiths, seeing that the Catholic religion doesn't allow women to be ordained.
Now that you know a bit more about Catholic and Lay person Chaplain work, you can also make a choice about going to a University for your Bachelors Degree in Psychology while Minoring in Religion. The Psychology Major will also prepare you for your CASAC Program that you've stated you want to pursue. By all means, going the University route does not mean you have to give up your own religion. Keep up with possible Bible Studies at your church and any other workshops or trainings they provide to the community. You can possibly teach Sunday School, be a Eucharistic Minister (an unpaid volunteer position) or have a Music Ministry or any other Catholic Church ministry.
The CASAC Program for becoming a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor can be done right after you graduate high school when you are 18 years old. You don't need to wait till you have your college degree. There's no public information about how many definite hours of study are required for the CASAC in California, but it should be a course of 350 hours in your state. You can easily check this and obtain more information from the places that provide the training such as Helio Health’s Training Institute, and also try The Resource Training Center. You will undoubtedly take some addiction and alcoholism courses at the university as a Psychology Major, too. If your college does offer a CASAC Program on campus to be certified, that's great but this training is usually held outside of colleges in the community.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Your plans sound so wonderful and it is awesome that you are reaching out for information.
You have some options. Since women can not hold ordained positions in the Catholic Church, and that includes women being Catholic Chaplains there are things to consider. Since Catholic Seminary study is for the purpose of and end goal of being ordained, you may want to reconsider not taking the seminary path, although they do allow women to attend in the Catholic Seminary for up to a Masters Program, but once you obtain that, you'd not be able to be a chaplain or any other ordained position in the Catholic Church.
That being said, if you really want to take the seminary route, you can be a lay Chaplain. A lay Chaplain is someone who provides services to people of all and no religions. You may want to consider attending a University for this option (not a seminary) and Majoring in Religion, Theology, Pastoral Counseling or Psychology. Universities near you (they're all private colleges) for these degrees would be Fresno Pacific University, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University. I would recommend studying and training at the university because it will prepare you to serve all individuals of all faiths, seeing that the Catholic religion doesn't allow women to be ordained.
Now that you know a bit more about Catholic and Lay person Chaplain work, you can also make a choice about going to a University for your Bachelors Degree in Psychology while Minoring in Religion. The Psychology Major will also prepare you for your CASAC Program that you've stated you want to pursue. By all means, going the University route does not mean you have to give up your own religion. Keep up with possible Bible Studies at your church and any other workshops or trainings they provide to the community. You can possibly teach Sunday School, be a Eucharistic Minister (an unpaid volunteer position) or have a Music Ministry or any other Catholic Church ministry.
The CASAC Program for becoming a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor can be done right after you graduate high school when you are 18 years old. You don't need to wait till you have your college degree. There's no public information about how many definite hours of study are required for the CASAC in California, but it should be a course of 350 hours in your state. You can easily check this and obtain more information from the places that provide the training such as Helio Health’s Training Institute, and also try The Resource Training Center. You will undoubtedly take some addiction and alcoholism courses at the university as a Psychology Major, too. If your college does offer a CASAC Program on campus to be certified, that's great but this training is usually held outside of colleges in the community.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Nija Jackson, LCSW
Compassionate and Dedicated Social Worker currently seeking Social Work opportunities to establish growth and longevity.
129
Answers
Updated
Nija’s Answer
To become a Catholic chaplain, you usually need to:
1) Get a bachelor's degree, preferably in theology, psychology, or a similar area.
2) Complete a graduate degree in theology, divinity, or pastoral studies.
3) Finish at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
4) Obtain endorsement from your bishop or religious leader.
5) Apply for certification with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).
You can attend colleges like:
- Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
- Loyola University Chicago
- Fordham University
1) Get a bachelor's degree, preferably in theology, psychology, or a similar area.
2) Complete a graduate degree in theology, divinity, or pastoral studies.
3) Finish at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
4) Obtain endorsement from your bishop or religious leader.
5) Apply for certification with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).
You can attend colleges like:
- Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
- Loyola University Chicago
- Fordham University
Thank you for the advice, Nija.