Licentiate in Chaplaincy (LCHAP)
If you feel a professional calling to serve others and provide spiritual comfort, pursuing a Licentiate in Chaplaincy at the Association of Certified Chaplains in South Africa offers a robust pathway to equip you with essential skills and knowledge for ministry leadership across diverse settings. The three-year Licentiate in Chaplaincy Program is meticulously crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of cognitive topics vital to effective Chaplaincy, encompassing areas such as Chaplain Leadership, Ethics, Pastoral Care & Counselling, and Biblical Theology.
This program distinguishes itself by covering a wide array of subjects not typically addressed in conventional Bible Colleges, thereby ensuring graduates are well-prepared to tackle unique challenges in their roles. With a flexible curriculum designed for a variety of environments—including corporations, sports organizations, public safety agencies, and disaster relief teams—the program emphasizes the importance of embodying Christ-centred leadership and spiritual care. By prioritizing a holistic education, the Association of Certified Chaplains in SA is dedicated to preparing future Chaplains to make a meaningful impact in their communities, fostering a professional commitment to compassionate service and spiritual support.
Why Choose ACCSA’s Licentiate in Chaplaincy
Choosing ACCSA’s Licentiate in Chaplaincy represents a strategic decision for individuals seeking a professional foundation in spiritual care and support. This program is meticulously designed to equip students with the theological knowledge and practical skills essential for excelling in diverse chaplaincy roles. Through a comprehensive curriculum that combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on experiences, students gain a deep understanding of pastoral care, ethical decision-making, and crisis intervention. The focus on real-world application prepares graduates to address the unique spiritual and emotional needs of individuals in various settings, such as hospitals, military units, and correctional facilities. By fostering proficiency in interfaith dialogue and grief counselling, the Licentiate in Chaplaincy cultivates compassionate and competent leaders who are ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities, thereby enhancing the professional landscape of spiritual care.
What Will You Study?
The Licentiate in Chaplaincy at ACCSA is meticulously designed to provide students with a professional foundation in Scriptural understanding, ensuring they are adept at communicating God's Word to diverse audiences with clarity and conviction. Emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills and robust theological principles, the program equips students to address and counter objections persuasively, enhancing their effectiveness in various ministry contexts.
With a curriculum that encompasses a wide array of chaplaincy-related subjects—ranging from corporate and healthcare to education, prison, and disaster relief—students gain comprehensive knowledge essential for professional practice. Moreover, the program fosters proficiency in Pastoral Care & Counselling, integrating awareness of various methodological approaches alongside practical skills. By exploring core competencies, strategies, and character traits vital for impactful chaplaincy in both secular and sacred environments, students are prepared not only to navigate ethical considerations but also to develop leadership skills that are crucial for a meaningful and successful career in chaplaincy.
Curriculum Design and Duration of the Licentiate in Chaplaincy
The Licentiate in Chaplaincy, offered online by ACCSA Chaplains Academy, is a professional three-year program designed to accommodate the diverse schedules of adult learners by presenting its curriculum in a modular format. This innovative approach allows students to enrol at their convenience, fostering immediate engagement with course materials while permitting a personalized educational trajectory.
The program leverages an advanced Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver self-paced courses that enrich the learning experience through a variety of instructional methods, including multimedia resources, discussion boards for collaborative engagement, and practical exercises. By integrating digital technologies, the Chaplains Academy transcends traditional educational boundaries, ensuring that students not only gain a comprehensive understanding of chaplaincy but also develop the professional competencies necessary for effective practice in diverse settings. This multifaceted curriculum is tailored to accommodate varying learning styles, empowering future chaplains to excel in both their personal and professional development.
Duration of the Licentiate in Chaplaincy
The Licentiate in Chaplaincy at ACCSA aims to give you a firm basis for your understanding of Scripture and equip you to explain God’s Word to the masses. You can learn both critical thinking skills and theological principles for responding persuasively to those who bring up objections. Through our Licentiate in Chaplaincy, you can develop an awareness of the various approaches to Biblical Counselling and gain foundational skills in this area.
Accreditation and Professional Membership
Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP)
Our in-house short courses offer an extensive blend of theoretical and practical training specifically designed for our chaplains.
We would like to clarify that our courses, including the Licentiate in Chaplaincy (LChap), are not aligned to any registered unit standards and do not lead to formal qualifications presented on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). However, we have a formal written agreement with the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP), a professional body for church leaders and other Christian ministry leaders and practitioners. Upon completing the Licentiate in Chaplaincy (LChap), prospective candidates may register for professional designation with ACRP.
The levels of registration and designation range from:
Level 1: Religious Practitioner
Level 2: Advanced Religious practitioner
Level 3: Religious Professional
Level 4: Religious specialist
ACRP is recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in terms of Section 13 of the National Qualification Framework Act (Act No. 67 or 2008) as a professional body, with a registration number of PB0000110.
We are proud to have a formal written agreement with ACRP, ensuring that our courses meet the high standards required for professional recognition in the industry and encourage our students to take advantage of this opportunity to advance their careers and professionalism in the field. (We will assist with the registration process)
This achievement is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and our dedication to providing a high-quality education to our students. We are proud to be part of this esteemed organization and look forward to continuing to serve our students with distinction.
Council for Counsellors in South Africa (CCSA)
We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Council for Counsellors in South Africa (CCSA), a professional body that regulates non-psychological counsellors. Upon completing our Licentiate in Chaplaincy (LChap), prospective candidates may register for a professional designation with CCSA, enhancing their career prospects and professional standing in the field of counselling.
The levels of registration and designation range from:
Level 1: Student Counsellor
Level 2: Institutional Counsellor
Level 3: Counsellor
Level 4: Specialist Counsellor
The ACCSA are actively working with other training organizations to explore potential pathways for formal recognition in the future. This approach allows our students to gain valuable knowledge and skills in a flexible learning environment without being bound by the constraints of formal accreditation.
The recognition and credit transfer of our courses are determined by individual churches, institutions. This gives our students the liberty to tailor their learning experiences in accordance with their personal and professional aspirations, while also respecting the diverse educational landscapes they may navigate.
Fee Structure
Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to make payment for each module they intend to register for, thereby confirming their place in the program.
Good news for students! Our pay-per-module structure makes it easy to manage your finances. With clear and transparent transactions, you'll always know exactly how much you're paying and what you're getting. No more confusing fees or unexpected costs. Stay on top of your expenses and focus on what matters most - your studies!
Registration Fee - R 500.00 (once-off)
Payment in full - R 11 250.00 (15% discount) for all ACCSA MEMBERS / Non-Members - R 14 250.00
Fee per module - R 375.00 for all ACCSA MEMBERS / Non-Members - R 475.00
Reactivation fee R500 (Non-refundable) Note: The student will need to pay a reactivation fee; if the student is inactive for more than 6 months or does not register for any modules for more than 6 months period.