CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care
The Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is a 12-month course (full-time equivalent) for developing practical skills to help people work through life issues and assist in times of crisis. Within this course you can also choose to specifically study two units as part of our School Chaplaincy Upgrade (SCU), Ministers Chaplaincy Upgrade (MCU), or complete some of the elective subjects for professional development. More details below.
Course Description
The Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is a dynamic, practical course designed to equip you to provide a high standard of chaplaincy support in a variety of contexts in the community. It is taught by experienced and passionate chaplains through a series of intensives.
The intensives involve you in an interactive group learning environment in which to learn, discuss and practice. Attending the live intensives is mandatory for passing each unit. Each unit also has assessments to complete within a chaplaincy context. These intensives are supplemented by the practicum component of working in a chaplaincy field in areas such as prisons, schools, hospitals and aged care. Students arrange to undertake a 100 hour placement in chaplaincy context towards the end of their training. For more information about placement and course structure, please see the Course Structure and Units tabs.
Course Structure
This course comprises 13 units of competency completed over 1 year full time or 2 years part time.
To be awarded the Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, students must demonstrate competency in all 13 units.
- 11 core units
- 2 elective units
Full-Time Course Structure
There are two intakes each year which include four intensives with mandatory live attendance.
The four intensives must be completed in the following order across four terms:
Intensive 1 - Chaplaincy Foundations
- CHCPAS001
- CHCCOM002
- CHCCCS016
- CHCLEG001
Intensive 2 - Chaplaincy Responses
- CHCCCS017
- CHCCCS004
- CHCCCS003
- CHCDIV001
Intensive 3 - Professional Chaplaincy Practice (placement)
- CHCPAS002
- CHCMHS001
- CHCPRP003
Intensive 4 - Chaplaincy Specialisation (choose two of the following)
- CHCDFV001
- CHCAOD001
- CHCYTH014
Part-Time Structure
The four intensives must be completed in the following order across seven terms:
Intensive 1 part 1 - Chaplaincy Foundations
- CHCPAS001
- CHCCOM002
Intensive 2 part 1- Chaplaincy Responses
- CHCCCS017
- CHCCCS003
Intensive 1 part 2 - Chaplaincy Foundations
- CHCCCS016
- CHCLEG001
Intensive 2 part 2- Chaplaincy Responses
- CHCCCS004
- CHCDIV001
Intensive 3 part 1 - Professional Chaplaincy Practice
- CHCMHS001
- CHCPRP003
Intensive 4 - Chaplaincy Specialisation (choose two of the following)
- CHCDFV001
- CHCAOD001
- CHCYTH014
Intensive 3 part 2- Professional Chaplaincy Practice (placement)
- CHCPAS002
Units
Intensive 1 - Chaplaincy Foundations
- CHCPAS001 Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care
- CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships
- CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
- CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
Intensive 2 - Chaplaincy Responses
- CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
- CHCCCS004 Assess co-existing needs
- CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
Intensive 3 - Professional Chaplaincy Practice (placement)
- CHCPAS002 Provide pastoral and spiritual care
- CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
- CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
Intensive 4 - Chaplaincy Specialisation (choose two of the following)
- CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence
- CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
- CHCYTH014 Work effectively with young people in the youth work context
For more details on which subjects you can choose, please contact chaplaincy.support@ac.edu.au
Entry Requirements
- Government-issued Unique Student Identifier (USI) number.
- A 200-word Statement of Purpose, which is a short summary of why you wish to study this program.
- Letter of Endorsement from a current church leader or workplace.
- A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) is needed to participate in chaplaincy placement.
For details of how to meet the entry requirements, check the How to Apply page.
Study Modes
Locations: Online, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, PerthFull-time Duration: 1 year
Part-time Duration: Up to 2 years
See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.
How Chaplaincy study works
Training is completed in 4-day Intensives, which requires compulsory live attendance. This Intensive format creates opportunities for networking and enhanced learning. Assessments are completed online over the term duration, 10-12 weeks following the intensive.
How placement works
The placement component of the course gives students the opportunity to apply skills in a diversity of chaplaincy contexts which may include prisons, schools, aged care facilities, hospitals, youth centres. The 100 hour placement is organised between the student and the Alphacrucis Chaplaincy Placement Coordinator prior to commencement.
Study support
Alphacrucis offers a high level of support to all students. Chaplaincy Tutors are available to answer your course questions, assist you with your assessments and the online Moodle system.
For further questions about study modes and units please contact chaplaincy.support@ac.edu.au.
Fees & Timetable
A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.
For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.
Government loans are unavailable for this course.
Course Learning Outcomes
Not applicable to VET courses.
Meet Laura
Laura Douglas describes her joy working as a Chaplain at a school in Western Sydney.
Meet Nadia
"Studying the Cert IV in Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care at AC was the first course I had ever done which truly felt like 'me'. The course sharpened my skills and taught me so much about professionalism, governance, crisis support, and boundaries around caring for people. Now I'm working as a Community Manager in the corporate space and I can see how God is using my life's journey to show that it serves a greater purpose."
Nadia Lino,
Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Graduate
Work-Integrated Learning
As part of unit CHCPAS002 Provide Pastoral and Spiritual Care, students must arrange and undertake a 100-hour chaplaincy placement in an area of their choice and engage in supervision as a part of their training.
Chaplaincy Career Opportunities
Wherever there are people, chaplains are needed.
Sectors where chaplains work
This program equips you to become a Chaplain or pastoral carer in diverse areas such as: Schools, Street Chaplaincy, Sports, Universities, Workplaces, Aged Care, Ambulance, Arts, Defence Force, Community, Corrective Services, Courts, Cruise Ships, Disaster Relief, Fashion Industry, Airports, Food Care, Home Care, Hospitals, Mental Health, Mining, Police, RSL & Veterans, Rural, State Emergency Service and Shopping Centre Chaplaincy.
Pastoral care topics
Some of the topics you might cover when providing pastoral care include:
family and relationships, trauma, loneliness, death or dying, unemployment, disaster response, colleague tension, grief and loss, education and schooling, housing and accomodation, medical or physical health, career transition or relocation, domestic and family violence, addictive behaviour including drugs and alcohol, moral or ethical decision-making, self-harm or harm behaviour, suicide ideation, geographical separation issues as well as spiritual health or belief.
Professional Development Days
We have a range of electives that you can study as a part of a Professional Development Day to equip you for some of the biggest issues faced today. Our electives allow you to specialise in your field of interest, in subject areas as varied as Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Problem Gambling, Drugs & Alcohol, Aged Care and Young People.
Special rate applies for Chaplaincy Australia members and ACC Pastors completing as a Professional Development day.
Note: Students who are enrolled in the full Certificate IV course must complete elective units for credit. Optional accreditation for all others.
How it works
Students needing to obtain the two mandatory units for school chaplaincy can complete the School Chaplaincy Upgrade (SCU) by attending the relevant sessions during a Chaplaincy intensive or a School Chaplaincy Upgrade course. Dates for upcoming SCU are listed on the AC timetable page. This intensive with assessments is completed online.
Units Included
- Respond to client needs (CHCCCS016)
- Work with people with mental health issues (CHCMHS001)
- The School Chaplain and Self-Care (additional non-accredited unit)
Professional Accreditation
All Alphacrucis Chaplaincy training is endorsed by Chaplaincy Australia. The Courses are approved by the C.C.A.C. (Civil Chaplains Advisory committee), which means that students who have completed this course are eligible to apply for chaplaincy positions in NSW hospitals and prisons.
Get the support you need while studying at AC
For information on the range of student support services available, please see Student Services.
How it works
This is a short program for Pastors and Ministers with years of experience looking to upskill or move into the Chaplaincy field. This includes a 3-day Intensive (8.30am-5pm) and assessments completed online. Pastors who choose this option complete 2 units of study (below), receive a statement of attainment, and may complete additional units.
- CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
- CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
Student Story
"I recently completed the Ministers Chaplaincy Upgrade. The balance of a 3-day intensive and then assignments in an online setting made the course very manageable.
The intensive equipped me to better understand some of the challenges and principles around issues like mental health and responding to client needs. The assignments resourced me to know what is available in my local area to support people, which I have found invaluable. It has also opened a door for me to volunteer as a Chaplain in my local community. Highly Recommended."
Ps Paul McCullock
Hope Unlimited Church
Course Code: CHC42315
