The new training program is open for college students who want to pursue a career in chaplaincy and earn a teacher’s salary while still studying. The National School Chaplain Association (NSCA) will also be responsible for matching chaplains with local schools.
For more information, visit https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org
Coinciding with an article published by the National Education Association about teaching religion in schools, the NSCA’s recently launched program not only introduces prayer into the school system but also decreases the risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in the student body.
Chaplains serve as a safe space for students to air out their struggles, whether it is academic or personal. According to the NSCA, one of the biggest problems in the school system today is that students are expected to deal with big, confusing emotions on their own instead of providing them with the care and support they need.
In countries worldwide, most schools do not employ a counselor or psychologist who can conduct regular mental health checkups with the students. The NSCA explains that, as a result, students have a lot of pent-up stress, frustration, and anger, and they manifest these feelings in negative behaviors such as disrespect for authority and poor performance in school.
There are three levels of training offered, depending on the applicant’s skill and experience. Ordained ministers and chaplains with credentials in another country or state qualify for Level One. This requires very minimal training and focuses more on placement and feedback.
Level Two is a 48-hour course open to teachers and those with experience working with children and teenagers. This course is spread out over eight weeks, with an average of six hours of classes every week. Oklahoma State University, in collaboration with the NSCA, will be hosting the course, and trainees will get one college credit hour and three CEU credits if they complete the program.
Level Three is recommended for those without any chaplain certification or teaching experience, including college students who want to earn their accreditation while earning their degree. The course lasts for a year and serves as the first year of a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
More information is available at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/chaplains
national School Chaplain Association
rmalloy@missiongeneration.org
+1-405-831-3299
PO Box 720746
United States
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