Chaplains serving in a school setting interact with students, teachers, principals and perhaps parents. Respectfully supporting an individual’s well-being through appropriate spiritual and crisis care is the primary objective of a chaplain; it is no different in a school setting. Chaplains do not take the place of school counselors, teachers or administrators, nor usurp their positions of authority. Rather, chaplains position themselves to be present and attentive to staff and also students who may be particularly vulnerable at the time of encounter and as always, endeavor to do no harm.
School chaplains are expected to provide encouragement to students and staff, engaging with empathetic listening, kindness and acceptance. Conveying understanding and hope through the lens of cultural diversity awareness and knowledge is foundational to a school chaplain’s service.
How do I get started as a School Chaplain?
Pursue training and experience with children or adolescents to fill gaps in knowledge and skill set.
Prepare to meet personnel from Human Resources, principals or other school officials and begin building relationships.
Be ready to present your credentials, experience, history and a clear explanation of your qualifications and your desire to serve in an educational environment. Express a willingness to participate in school trainings and to follow their guidelines.
Dress professionally and invite input from school authorities on expectations of your presence and service.
How do I become an I.F.O.C. Licensed School Chaplain?
Are you ready to demonstrate to your church that you have the education and experience necessary to serve your local schools as a Chaplain? I.F.O.C. Chaplains can now become licensed specifically in School Chaplaincy! Follow the below steps to receive your School Chaplaincy License.
- Complete the I.F.O.C. Advanced Chaplaincy credential. Check out the program on our Advanced Chaplain Webpage. The first Tier of the application is the Advanced Chaplain credential.
- Complete the School Chaplain Specialty (Tier 2) on the second part of the Advanced Chaplain application to receive your School Chaplaincy license.
I.F.O.C.’s School Chaplain Training Course
I.F.O.C.’s School Chaplaincy Course is now available!
The course includes the following content:
- School Chaplaincy Webinar
- School Chaplaincy
- Handling Difficult Conversations
- Interviews with School Chaplains
- Child Development Concerns
- Continuing Education
I.F.O.C. Advanced School Chaplain Classes
You can view the full requirements for Advanced School Chaplain Credentialing here
- I.F.O.C.’s School Chaplaincy Course – I.F.O.C.
- Assisting Individuals in Crisis – ICISF
- Group Crisis Intervention – ICISF
- Talking to Children About Death & Dying – I.F.O.C.
- CISM Applications with Children – ICISF
- Managing School Crisis – ICISF
- Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention – ICISF
- School district courses on active shooter, stop the bleed, and physical threat assessment are often required for any employment position.
Recommended Additional Continuing Education Classes
- Strategic Response to Crisis – ICISF
- IS-362.a Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools – FEMA
- Crisis Care in Diversity – CRC
- Grief Following Trauma – ICISF
- Spiritual & Psychological First Aid – Multiple Providers
- Youth Mental Health Coaching – American Association of Christian Counselors
- Trust Based Relational Intervention – Karyn Purvis Institute
- TBRI Trauma Informed Classrooms – Karyn Purvis Institute
- Youth Mental Youth Coaching – Light University
- Any reputable training in Child Development
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