Students enrolled at the GTU or any of its member schools have the opportunity to choose from among more than 700 courses offered across the consortium each year. With 8 member schools, 5 academic centers, and 4 affiliates, the GTU is one of the largest theological consortiums in the world.

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Interested In Becoming An Interreligious Chaplain?

The GTU’s Certificate in Interreligious Chaplaincy provides training in Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu traditions

About The Graduate Theological Union

Prepare for successful careers in a variety of fields, from higher education, nonprofit, public service, ethical leadership, ministry and beyond

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Located in Berkeley, California, the center of one of the world's most diverse and innovative, active, learning communities

An institution of higher learning unlike any other, the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley brings together scholars of the world’s diverse religions and wisdom traditions to advance new knowledge, share inspiration, and collaborate on solutions.

We carry out our work by educating scholars for vocations devoted to study and service, by equipping leaders for a world of diverse religions and cultures, by teaching patterns of faith that encourage justice and care of the planet, and by serving as an educational and theological resource for local communities, the nation, and the world.

Choose field of study from among more than 30 concentrations and certificate options

Work with a faculty advisor as your mentor

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Graduate Theological Union • 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California 94709

510-826-4488 • admissions@gtu.edu

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Earn A Certificate In Interreligious Chaplaincy

The GTU’s Interreligious Chaplaincy Program equips leaders to practice spiritual care among diverse populations. The program offers students who have previously earned a qualifying master’s degree the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Interreligious Chaplaincy.

Spiritual care is a vital need across industries, including hospitals, universities, prisons, military, immigration, family and social services, disaster relief, airports, and corporations. This program provides the skills to effectively serve persons from diverse religious backgrounds in a wide variety of situations and life stages. Coursework will incorporate practical spiritual care and interreligious training, as well as counseling, theology, and ethics. The certificate fulfills a requirement for board certification and equips students with spiritual caregiving skills and knowledge necessary to practice chaplaincy in traditional and non-traditional chaplaincy settings. The ICP works closely with the GTU's Centers for Jewish, Dharma, and Islamic Studies and with affiliate institutions to increase the competency of chaplaincy students in traditions underrepresented among institutional chaplains.

Students in the Islamic Studies concentration engage in the interdisciplinary study, research, and teaching of Islam in its theological, historical, cultural, and comparative contexts, with a focus on Islamic texts in contemporary contexts, Islam as a lived tradition, and the global expressions of Muslim diversity, both past and present. Key topics of study include Islam and Muslims in the West, secular modernity and religious formation, Islam and Muslims in interreligious contexts, and the public understanding of Islam and Muslims, especially through media and technology.

Residents of the following states can now learn via remote modalities: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia

Earn a stand-alone certificate in just one year (requires a previously earned qualifying MA)

Financial aid is available for qualified students

Remote learning options are available

"The level of personal care from professors has made the GTU so special for me. I have always felt well supported and welcomed. The personal warmth at the Center for Jewish Studies has made it the most wonderful learning experience."

- Lea Heitfeld, Masters in Jewish Studies

Graduate Theological Union

2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California 94709

510-826-4488 • admissions@gtu.edu

Gain The Skills Needed To Provide Spiritual Care

Financial aid is available

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