On 19th August 2024, the Atlanta-based Georgia State University reported online with a headline "Georgia State Becomes First Public University to Offer Graduate Pathway to Chaplaincy". The term Chaplain is rooted in Christian pastoral care, but over the years Christian and non-Christian Chaplains have provided emotional and spiritual support in military, jails, airports, fire stations, hospices, hospitals, and higher education. In the context of separation of church and state policies and rising secularization in the U.S., it is remarkable how Chaplains not only maintained steady presence but have also grown their ministries (Kruzman, 2021). Traditionally, Chaplains were trained by private theological institutions but perhaps due to the rising demand, Georgia State University has adventured into training Chaplains on its public campus, while addressing sensitivity to the separation of church and state policies. This paper analyzes this milestone with its risks, challenges, and opportunities to offering chaplaincy training on public campuses.
On 19th August 2024, the Atlanta-based Georgia State University reported online with a headline "Georgia State Becomes First Public University to Offer Graduate Pathway to Chaplaincy". The term Chaplain is rooted in Christian pastoral care, but over the years Christian and non-Christian Chaplains have provided emotional and spiritual support in military, jails, airports, fire stations, hospices, hospitals, and higher education. In the context of separation of church and state policies and rising secularization in the U.S., it is remarkable how Chaplains not only maintained steady presence but have also grown their ministries (Kruzman, 2021). Traditionally, Chaplains were trained by private theological institutions but perhaps due to the rising demand, Georgia State University has adventured into training Chaplains on its public campus, while addressing sensitivity to the separation of church and state policies. This paper analyzes this milestone with its risks, challenges, and opportunities to offering chaplaincy training on public campuses.