Course Requirements

📚 Required Courses – 2 units of LES credit and 2 modules of CDS Modules

1. Officiating Chaplain Foundations (1 Unit)

This course lays the intellectual and practical groundwork for functioning as a chaplain in secular environments, such as public schools. You will:

• Develop a clear chaplain presence—learning the body language, tone, and professional demeanor that build trust in diverse settings.
• Gain officiating skills that translate into leading ceremonies, offering public prayers, and representing faith respectfully in multi-belief contexts.
• Study crisis ministry principles so you can respond calmly and wisely in emergencies, whether it’s a student tragedy, staff crisis, or community incident.
  This foundational unit equips you to think critically about your role, adapt to various school cultures, and navigate sensitive moments with clarity and poise.

2. Public School Chaplain Foundations (1 Unit)

In this targeted unit, you will gain the intellectual framework for chaplaincy within the unique environment of public education. Topics include:

• Legal foundations—understanding the First Amendment, state laws like Texas SB 763 and Florida HB 931, and district-specific policies.
• Ethical frameworks—how to offer spiritual care without proselytizing, respect diverse beliefs, and maintain confidentiality under FERPA.
• Relational strategies—building bridges with administrators, teachers, students, and families while maintaining professional boundaries.
  By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge to operate within legal parameters and the skills to foster respectful, trust-based relationships in your school community.

3. Wedding Officiant Training (1 Module)

While it may seem unrelated to daily school life, this module gives you versatile ceremonial leadership skills that extend your ministry impact. You will learn:

• The intellectual structure of wedding ceremonies, from legal documentation to order of service.
• How to personalize ceremonies in ways that honor the couple’s story while remaining biblically faithful.
• How to engage with school staff and families when they request your services, often deepening trust and expanding your influence in the community.
  This training strengthens your capacity to minister at life milestones—an essential relational bridge between school and community life.

4. Funeral Officiant Training (1 Module)

Public schools face seasons of loss—from the passing of staff members to tragedies affecting students and their families. This module prepares you to:

• Understand the psychology and theology of grief and how it impacts children, teens, and adults differently.
• Craft sensitive, meaningful memorial services that bring comfort and hope.
• Serve as a pastoral presence in moments when the school community is hurting the most.
  By mastering funeral officiation, you are intellectually and emotionally prepared to guide people through loss in a manner that is both compassionate and professional.

5. Public School Chaplain Credential Course (0 Credits)

This capstone course functions as the administrative and reflective backbone of your credential journey. It:

• Tracks your progress through the program, ensuring you complete all academic and practical requirements.
• Collects your feedback to help Christian Leaders Institute improve and refine the program for future chaplains.
  This course ensures that your training and credentialing is not just theoretical but holistically evaluated, sharpening your readiness for real-world ministry in the school setting.