At the Academy for Jewish Religion California (AJRCA), we understand that becoming a chaplain is not simply a career choice—it is a profound calling to provide spiritual care, emotional support, and ethical presence in times of need. Whether serving in hospitals, hospices, prisons, the military, or community organizations, chaplains play an essential role in offering comfort, guidance, and connection to people of all backgrounds and faiths. Our Chaplaincy School is designed to prepare individuals for this sacred work through a rigorous, holistic, and accessible educational journey.
Step 1: Discern Your Calling
The journey begins with a deep personal reflection. Individuals drawn to chaplaincy often feel a calling to be present with others during life’s most vulnerable moments. AJRCA encourages prospective students to explore this sense of purpose and consider how they envision serving diverse communities. Our Chaplaincy students come from a multitude of varying backgrounds, including, medical, legal, education, clergy, or social work. We welcome those with a sincere desire to provide spiritual support in a professional context.
Step 2: Apply and Enroll in the Chaplaincy School of the Academy
The Chaplaincy School is designed for those who seek to integrate Jewish wisdom, spiritual care training, and clinical experience into a meaningful career in chaplaincy. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to demonstrate a readiness for graduate-level academic and spiritual learning. Applications are reviewed holistically, taking into account academic background, professional experience, and spiritual motivation.
Step 3: Begin Your Coursework
Once admitted, students embark on a journey of both academic and personal growth. The Chaplaincy School curriculum includes foundational Jewish studies, courses in pastoral theology, spiritual care, Hebrew, and interfaith engagement. Students study classical texts while also learning the skills necessary for active listening, crisis intervention, grief counseling, and ethical decision-making.
AJRCA’s hybrid model allows students to participate from across the country through a combination of synchronous online learning. This flexibility ensures that students can balance their studies with personal and professional obligations, while still receiving a rich, immersive educational experience.
Step 4: Complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
A core requirement of becoming a chaplain is completing units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a hands-on training that includes a classroom experience as well as place students in real-world clinical settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, or correctional institutions. Through CPE, students engage directly with individuals and families in crisis, under the supervision of experienced chaplains and clinical educators.
Students are required to complete at least two units of CPE during their time at the Academy. The additional units–a total of four are required to be recommended for board certification–may be completed after graduating the program, either at the Academy or elsewhere.
Step 5: Graduate and Seek Certification
Upon completing their degree, a Master of Jewish Studies with a certificate in Jewish Chaplaincy, AJRCA graduates are equipped to serve in diverse spiritual care roles. While board certification is not always required for employment, many positions—especially in healthcare—strongly prefer board-certified chaplains.
To become a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC), graduates of the Academy typically apply through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). Requirements for certification generally include:
- A graduate-level theological degree (such as AJRCA’s MJS)
- At least four units of CPE
- Endorsement from a recognized religious body
- Demonstrated competencies in spiritual care provision
- An extensive application and interview process
The Academy supports alumni throughout the certification journey, offering guidance on documentation, endorsement, and preparation.
Step 6: Serve and Grow
Chaplains serve on the frontlines of human experience—offering compassion, wisdom, and spiritual guidance in times of joy and sorrow. As spiritual professionals, chaplains often continue their education through professional development, supervision, and community engagement.
At AJRCA, we remain a lifelong partner to our alumni, offering continued learning opportunities, community events, and support networks to help spiritual care providers thrive in their sacred work.
A Sacred Vocation
At its core, chaplaincy is about being a compassionate presence and a beacon of hope. The Chaplaincy School of the Academy exists to prepare thoughtful, grounded, and spiritually resilient leaders for this essential role. By combining Jewish tradition, clinical experience, and interfaith sensitivity, we empower our students to meet people where they are—with open hearts and steady hands.
Whether you are just beginning to explore chaplaincy or are ready to take the next step, we invite you to discover how AJRCA can help you answer the call.