US Conference of Chaplains

School of Ministry

This may entail travel to the West Coast of the United States (most likely Southern California, but alternatively Northern California or Washington State) by the candidate.

Arrangements could possibly be made for a Director to travel. Any such travel and lodging costs are to be borne by the candidate. These ceremonies may also take place at the annual gathering of The Conference in July, if convenient for the candidate.

In extreme circumstances, and only upon a vote of the Board, will a commissioning ceremony be performed either electronically or officiated over by a qualified member of Christian clergy other than a Director of, and approved by, the USCoC.

There is an application process for admission into the USCoC School of Ministry which includes a tuition amount as may be set and published from time-to-time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors for The Conference also sits as the Board for the School of Ministry. Any references to a Lead or Senior Pastor are to be inferred as references to the Chief Chaplain.

Tuition

As of the last revision of this cirriculum (2/22), the amount of the tuition to The Conference is $840.00 for the School of Ministry’s four-semester credit hour course of study. That does not include the $149.00 direct-pay cost to the outside online program provider for their external course. Therefore, the total combined tuition cost is estimated at $989.00.

PLEASE NOTE: This does not include travel and lodging expenses which will also need to be budgeted and incurred to attend your “Commissioning Ceremony” in-person, when possible. This rite of ordination includes the laying on of hands by servant-leaders in The Conference.

Amounts are provided here as estimates only and subject to change at any time. The member/student is responsible for obtaining real-time quotes from representatives that are only good for 30 days. Once you have enrolled and paid your tuition and fees, you are locked in at those figures for fifteen (15) weeks. After that, they are subject to change.

Candidates seeking Chaplain status that are unable to provide proof of satisfactory Christian ordination, may pursue Commissioning as a Chaplain (becoming an ordained minister) via the US Conference of Chaplains School of Ministry. Only after completing the A.M.E.N. basic level of training for all members will one be allowed to enroll. This has the added benefit of giving the candidate a head start by virtue of having already completed the first two (2) requirements of required coursework.
Additionally, the candidate must complete the following:

A High School Diploma (or its equivalency).

“Now That You’ve Been Called to Ministry” textbook provided through our ministry partner. USCoC HQ mails to you.

Church History: Complete Documentary. Suggestion – Split up viewing time into two, three or four sessions, keeping track of the time-stamp on the bottom progress bar. You must arrange with a Director to quiz you after you have completed the video lecture.

“Christianity Through Its Scriptures.” This seminary level course is a four-week course which will take five (5) to ten (10) hours per week to complete. This course, as our culminating class, will take the most commitment on the part of the candidate. There is a $99.00 cost directly with outside online program provider when registering.

And, lastly, the candidate must satisfactorily pass their oral board exam. This is an official interview process with the Board of Directors of the USCoC sitting as the Commissioning (ordaining) Body. The candidate must select a Chaplain senior to them in the organization to assist them in preparing for this final step. The oral board will take place via videoconference. This interview is considered your “final” for the School of Ministry. The candidate should plan on at least an hour for this interview.

Only after successful completion of all these steps and having been issued a diploma from the USCoC School of Ministry, will a commissioning ceremony be scheduled. Other than during a National Health Emergency (i.e. the COVID 19 pandemic), these ceremonies should be done in person.