Application - Chaplain

Standard Humanist Chaplain Endorsement Application
Applications are processed on a rolling basis, and the application process typically takes 2-4 weeks to review, approve, and issue credentials. You can speed up the process by paying your fees and ensuring we receive your references in a timely manner.

Our standard procedure includes the following steps:
- Staff will check your application, references, and paid fees.
- Staff schedules and completes phone interview.
- Your application, references, and summary of the phone interview will be reviewed by The Humanist Society Board of Directors.
- The Board reviews applications on a weekly basis.
- You will be notified via email with instructions for any necessary final steps once the Board has reached a decision.
  
  *You must pay your application fee online or mail a check before your application will be considered. Checks should be made payable to "The Humanist Society" and mailed to:
The Humanist Society
1821 Jefferson Place NW
Washington D.C. 20036
Qualifications:
- MDiv or equivalent degree from accredited institution
- At least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) completed
- Demonstrates experience providing emotional and spiritual support for crisis, grief, and/or trauma
- Strong understanding of humanism and commitment to humanist values
- Ability to work in interfaith settings
- Understanding of Chaplain role
- Plan for using endorsement
- $100 Application Fee
- Membership with the American Humanist Association
- $100 Annual Professional Fee (after approval)
Individuals endorsed as Standard Chaplains have completed a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent degree and at least one unit of CPE or supervised ministry.

Chaplains are encouraged to pursue certification through a national chaplaincy board.
Personal Information
Legal Name*

First NameLast Name
Name (If different from Legal Name)
Pronouns
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Are you a member of the American Humanist Association?*

YesNo
How did you hear about The Humanist Society?

Internet SearchSocial MediaLocal Secular GroupAHAReferred by Friend/ColleagueOther
Group Name
Name of person that referred you
How did you find us?
How long have you been an AHA Member?*
NOTE: AHA membership is a requirement for endorsement, and you will be expected to maintain your membership for as long as you are endorsed with The Humanist Society.

If you are not already an AHA member, please join Here.
Are you a member of an AHA Chapter or Affiliate?*

YesNo
What is the name of your group?*
Please describe in detail your involvement with the chapter/affiliate.*
Would you be interested in joining one (if available in your area)?*
Qualifications
Do you hold an MDiv or an equivalent degree?*

MDivEquivalent Degree
*MDiv Equivalencies

In accordance with industry standards, MDiv equivalency is defined by the Association of Theological Seminaries (ATS) as “72 graduate semester hours or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include a master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Ministerial experience alone is not considered the equivalent of or a substitute for the master’s degree.”

Due to the secular nature of humanist chaplaincy and lack of humanist oriented graduate programs, the Humanist Society has identified other graduate degrees that we consider equivalent to an MDiv for the purposes of our endorsement. Please note that ATS, graduate schools, and national chaplaincy certification boards do not necessarily accept these as equivalencies for an MDiv.

Possible equivalencies: MA Religion/Religious Studies, MA Theology/Theological Studies, Masters of Social Work, MA or MS Psychology, MA Leadership Studies
Applicants who hold other graduate degrees that they believe to be equivalent to an MDiv may request approval within the endorsement application
Please list equivalent degrees relevant to chaplaincy?*
Please describe your degree/program and how it applies to chaplaincy. *
Upload Scans/Photos of your MDiv/equivalent Certificates or Transcripts:

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A minimum of 1 Unit of CPE is required for this endorsement. Upload Scans/Photos of your CPE Certificates or Transcripts:

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List in chronological order all institutions of collegiate standing, and location, that you have attended. Include dates of entering and leaving, degrees received or those for which you are a candidate.*
Please note other programs and/or areas of study completed or not-completed:
Beyond education, describe any life experiences, that will enable you to meet the responsibilities of this endorsement? *
Current profession or occupation (if applicable). Please describe your work with some precision; single word responses are too vague:*
The Humanist Society adheres to the Humanist Manifesto III. Please read and reflect upon the Humanist Manifesto III prior to answering the following question.
To help us better understand your definition of humanism, please indicate below how you agree or disagree with the Humanist Manifesto III. Please describe with some precision; single word responses are too vague.*
How do you define the role of a Humanist Chaplain? In what setting do you intend to work as a Humanist Chaplain, and how do you plan to function?*
Are you currently providing chaplain services?*

Yes, full-time, paidYes, part-time, paidYes, volunteerNo, but seeking Chaplain employmentNo, but seeking volunteer rolesNo
Which institution(s) do you serve (or plan to serve) as a Chaplain?*

College/UniversityHospitalHospicePrisonMilitary InstallationAddiction Recovery ProgramHumanist CommunityNoneOther
Name and location (City, State) of the institution?
Optional Dual Endorsement
Only the Humanist Celebrant endorsement grants the legal authority to solemnize marriages and perform other humanist ceremonies. Would you like to add a Humanist Celebrant Endorsement at this time?*

YesNo
How do you define the role of a Humanist Celebrant? In what ways do you want to function as a Humanist Celebrant?*
Please comment on anything else about yourself that you believe would help us evaluate your application:*
References
The Humanist Society requires three references. This helps us determine your ability to serve in this role.

References may not be family members (including in-laws), spouses, or significant others. References should be able to affirm the candidate's qualifications as a humanist and potential celebrant.

Note: Ethical Culture Leaders (AEU), Humanist Rabbis (SHJ), Graduates of The Humanist Institute (THI) and members of The Clergy Project (TCP) are not required to fill out references and may proceed to the end of the application to submit. We will reach out to the respective organization to verify your certificate.
If you are a member of, or certified with, any of the below organizations, please check all that apply.*

The Clergy Project (TCP)Ethical Culture Leader (AEU)Humanist Rabbis (SHJ)Graduate of the Humanist Institute (aka AHA Humanist Studies Program)None of These
Upload Scans/Photos of your certification/membership with the organization you selected above.

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If you are not a member of AEU, SHJ, THI graduate or TCP, please provide references below:

Important Note - It is your responsibility to provide the link below to the three references that you list.
Reference Form for Chaplain Applicants
Reference Form for Dual Endorsement Applicants
Reference 1
Name

First NameLast Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Indicate special qualifications of this reference (if applicable):
Reference 2
Name

First NameLast Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Indicate special qualifications of this reference (if applicable):
Reference 3
Name

First NameLast Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Indicate special qualifications of this reference (if applicable):
Social Media Disclosure

The Humanist Society Ethical Code of Conduct requires that all endorsees "represent authentic humanism" and "maintain humanist values". These requirements pertain to all parts of your life, including your activities online.

As part of the endorsement process, The Humanist Society will review your public social media presence for consistency with our Ethical Code of Conduct. You are required to submit links to your personal and professional social media accounts in the below section. Only publicly accessible information will be reviewed.

Failure to disclose a social media account will be viewed as a dishonest violation of our Ethical Code of Conduct, and may be grounds to deny or rescind endorsement.
Acknowledgements
I understand I need to pay my application fee and AHA membership dues before my application will be considered. (Links to Pay Above)*

I understand
Chaplain Covenant
I acknowledge I have read and will abide by the Chaplain Covenant.*

Yes
Ethical Code of Conduct
I acknowledge I have read and will abide by the Ethical Code of Conduct.*

Yes
I verify that all information submitted in this application is true to the best of my knowledge and that I understand that falsifying information may result in denial of endorsement.*

Yes
Should be Empty:

Standard Humanist Chaplain Endorsement Application

Personal Information

Qualifications

Optional Dual Endorsement

References

Reference 1

Reference 2

Reference 3

Acknowledgements