Chaplaincy

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Every applicant must either

• be a graduate and normally have achieved an average of B+ in the 300-level papers of his or her degree programme, or
• have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The aim of the Master of Chaplaincy (MChap) degree is to enhance chaplaincy in a whole range of contemporary settings, through engagement with current scholarship into the practice of chaplaincy.

The Master of Chaplaincy is designed as a professional qualification for those who serve as chaplains in a variety of settings and who seek advanced professional education to enhance their work, and for those who want to train to be chaplains.

The admission requirements are a degree or equivalent three-year qualification with satisfactory grades. In cases where a person’s prior qualifications do not include theological study, he or she may be required to undertake one or more 300-level papers in theology in order to satisfy the prerequisites for specific 400-level papers in Biblical Studies (BIBS) and/or Christian Thought and History (CHTH).

The coursework component of the degree consists of six 20-point 400-level taught papers, of which three are core papers in the area of Chaplaincy and three are selected from a list of additional papers offered in the areas of Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Ministry Studies.

The degree also involves the completion of a Research Project worth 60 points in some area of Chaplaincy of around 20,000 words, related to issues emerging from the contemporary practice of Chaplaincy. PAST 212 Research Methods, or an equivalent paper, is required as a prerequisite for enrolment in the Research Project (MINS 590). The degree is designed to enhance a graduate's professional practice of Chaplaincy and to enable advanced reflection and research on the practice of Chaplaincy.

All the papers offered for this qualification will be taught by Distance Learning.

Papers

The programme of study shall consist of six papers and a research project, worth a total of 180 points:

• MINS 409 Chaplaincy Studies (Advanced) (20 points)
• MINS 410 Pastoral Care in Dying, Grief and Loss (20 points)
• MINS 411 Chaplaincy in Diverse Contexts (20 points)
• Three papers with a combined value of 60 points chosen from BIBS 413, CHTH 415, CHTH 416, CHTH 420, CHTH 422, MINS 405, MINS 408, MINS 412, MINS 413, MINS 414
• MINS 590 Research Project (60 points)

Note: PAST 212 Research Methods, or an equivalent paper, is required as a prerequisite for enrolment in MINS 590.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.