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Program Exploration

School Chaplain Program

  • The NSCA is the world’s largest certification provider of school chaplains. You can become a fully certified chaplain without going back to college, putting your life on hold, or taking out student loans.

  • The National School Chaplain Association program is trusted by districts and successful chaplains alike. We deliver a solid foundation of proven chaplaincy skills and strategies necessary to feel confident in your calling. Upon completion of your training, safety courses and background checks, you will be fully certified as a school chaplain, qualifying you to receive full pay and benefits.

  • – The NSCA Chaplains Certification Course is a 8-week, three credit hours course offered by ORU

    – Active Shooter & Personality Threat Assessment (10-hour course)

    – First Aid, Stop the Bleed Training (usually done in a day)

  • Schools have lots of options when hiring a chaplain either full-time or part-time. In most states, federal and state funding designated for mental health are available along with school safety and security. Each school district will decide the salary.

  • The NSCA School Chaplain Certification includes the 8-week training course through ORU, the Active Shooter Certification, the Threat Assessment Certification, and the Stop The Bleed Certification.

  • Once you have completed your Chaplains Training and paid for your NSCA Registration fee, you will have access to training updates and courses.

    – Entry to chaplain support app and national job posting.

    – Most importantly, relationships with other school chaplains through wiki-powered open chat lines and counsel by members of the senior chaplain board.

    – Listing on National School Chaplain Register

    – Notice sent to school districts noted on the application that a certified school chaplain is available

Chaplain Certification

  • There are two paths that lead to school chaplain admission. The Traditional Path requires candidates to possess a two-year degree and 2,000 hours of hands-on ministry experience.

    The Ordained Ministerial Path requires candidates to possess 6,000 hours (3 years) of hands on full-time ministerial experience as an ordained clergy.

  • If you have participated in the following ministerial areas of experience as an ordained clergy you qualify for the Ordained Ministerial Path: Pastoral service, counseling, missionary, guest services, police chaplain, military chaplain, first responder chaplain, hospital chaplain, airport chaplain, marketplace chaplain, children’s ministry, youth pastor, student ministry, athletes ministry, CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management), praise and worship, teaching, leadership, church planting, prayer groups, home group leader, women’s ministry, men’s ministry, orphan outreach, elderly ministry, emergency shelter, homeless ministry, disability ministry, hospital ministry, hospitality ministry, home visitation, evangelism; role as an elder, deacon, discipleship.

  • Your first step is submitting an application. Once you’ve submitted your application you will receive email correspondence and instructions for signing and uploading all required documents to complete necessary background checks. You will be granted login access to NSCA’s online portal for easy document sharing.

    After your background checks are completed, you will be emailed a link to upload any additional documents (transcripts, reference letters) and a link to pay for your enrollment. All enrollment and certifications information will be provided to you from the NSCA by email.

    Your online course through ORU will be sent directly to you via email. You will be able to complete the coursework in as little as 8-weeks.

  • Your fees are offered in two categories - the Application Fee, and the Enrollment Fee.

    The Application Fee covers your initial education verification, national and international background checks.

    The Enrollment Fee covers your ORU Certification Course, Threat Assessment Course, and Active Shooter Course.

    The Stop The Bleed course will need to be completed locally. NSCA provides resources for you to easily access this certification. Stop The Bleed Certification is inexpensive and many times is offered free.