PTC has graduates who have served in all kinds of chaplaincy: hospital, police, defence force, sports, school, community. Depending upon your chosen field, one or two specialised units may need to be undertaken with an external provider and credited into your PTC course (e.g. Clinical Pastoral Education, Chaplaincy in Educational Settings).

For most chaplaincy positions, the following units should be taken within existing degree (often the 1 year Diploma of Theology or Graduate Diploma of Divinity):

  • 2 Biblical units

  • 2 Theology units

  • 1 Evangelism unit (EM024)

  • 1 Pastoral Care unit (preferably two: PC002 PC003)

Some chaplaincy areas have more extensive requirements. Defence Force and Police chaplaincy require ordination and pastoral experience. See further below.

PTC consults with the Defence Force Chaplaincy Committee and the Health and Community Chaplaincy Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria to ensure that its training meets expectations. The Academic Dean will be pleased to refer you to the conveners of these committees or to serving chaplains if you wish to discuss your situation with them.

Chaplaincy is a growing field of ministry, with positions available to men and women in a variety of areas...

 

Healthcare

Healthcare chaplains work in hospital and hospice environments, providing spiritual support to those facing illness or bereavement. 

Within PTC’s existing degree structures, two units of Clinical Pastoral Education are usually taken through an external provider, the Association for Supervised and Clinical Pastoral Education in Victoria (ASACPEV). 

Spiritual Health Victoria is the primary association working with the Victorian Government to regulate healthcare chaplaincy.

Schools, universities and colleges

Chaplains in educational settings provide support and counselling to students at the primary, secondary, and tertiary level. Undertaking two pastoral care units at PTC within an Diploma or Graduate Diploma meets the usual requirements for an education chaplaincy position, though Korus Connect may have further training requirements.

Disaster relief

Disaster relief chaplains have the opportunity to comfort and counsel those suffering in emergency situations. The search for meaning in times of crisis is often more acute, and chaplains provide answers and support. 

Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry

Sports

Sports chaplains work with clubs to provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance to both athletes, coaches and other staff. 

Victorian Sports Chaplaincy

Police

Those wishing become police chaplains should contact the Academic Dean to discuss, and be put in contact with Presbyterian Ministers who currently work in the field. 

Considerable parish experience (at least three years) is usually required.

Defence Force

Those wishing to become chaplains with the Defence Force should seek the advice of the Defence Force Chaplaincy Committee. 

Considerable parish experience (at least three years) is usually required.