Islamic Chaplaincy Resources

Resources for Muslim chaplains, for chaplains of all faiths who address the needs of Muslims in their institutions, and for everyone interested in learning about Hartford International University's Islamic Chaplaincy Pathway.

Contact:

(860) 509-9534
(860) 509-9539 fax
admissions@hartfordinternational.edu

  • What is a Chaplain?

    A chaplain is a professional who offers spiritual advice and care in a specific institutional context, such as a college or university campus, hospital, prison or military unit. Although chaplains often provide religious services for members of their own faith communities, the main role of a chaplain is to facilitate or accommodate the religious needs of all individuals in the institution in which he or she is working. Chaplains often serve as experts on ethics to their colleagues and employers, providing insight to such diverse issues as organ transplantation, just-warfare, and public policy. Professional chaplains do not displace local religious leaders, but fill the special requirements involved in intense institutional environments. Thus, a Muslim chaplain is not necessarily an “Imam,” although an Imam may work as a chaplain. There is a need for both male and female Muslim chaplains. For example, female Muslim students on college campuses or hospitalized Muslim women may feel more comfortable with a female Muslim chaplain.

    Why is Hartford International University an excellent setting to train in Islamic Chaplaincy?

    The Islamic Chaplaincy Program complements the strengths already in existence at HIU:

    a) the strong academic curriculum available through the Master of Arts in Religious Studies (MAIRS) degree program with a concentration in Islamic Studies; and

    b) the interfaith orientation, work and scholarship of the Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations; and

    c) the expertise of the HIU’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research in working with active faith communities.

    The Macdonald Center is the country’s oldest center for the study of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. It embodies HIU's long-term commitment – begun in 1893 – to the study of Islam and Christianity and the complex relationship between the two religions throughout history and in the modern world.

    Hartford International University and the Macdonald Center believe deeply that mutual respect and cooperation among faith groups can and must develop. The Islamic Chaplaincy Program is a natural result of that belief.

    Is Hartford International University’s Islamic Chaplaincy Program equivalent to a Master of Divinity?

    Yes, the Association of Theological Schools recognizes HIU’s combined 36-credit Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies and 36-credit Master of Arts in Chaplaincy as a 72-credit-hour M.Div. equivalency.

    What is the course schedule?

    Most classes meet late afternoons and evenings during the academic year. Hartford International also offers excellent opportunities to take intensive 5-day courses during January Intersession and in the June summer session. These courses require students to complete reading and writing assignments prior to the start of classes and to submit final course assignments by the end of the spring semester for January Intersession classes or prior to the start of the fall semester for summer session classes. Please consult the catalogue for a full listing of courses, which are generally offered on a two-year cycle.

    Are online courses available?

    Online courses may be taken for credit or audited just like the on-site courses. 

    Can credits be transferred?

    Students who have taken graduate level courses in religion from an accredited institution that have not been applied toward a previous degree may ask for these courses to be applied toward their Master of Arts degree. Students may receive up to 18 credits of transfer credit. Students who have completed at least one semester as a matriculated student may apply to receive up to six credits toward their degree for relevant life experiences. Application for advanced standing credit are reviewed by the Academic Affairs Committee and granted where appropriate. The total credit awarded for advanced standing and transfer credit combined may not exceed 18 credits.

    Is financial aid available?

    Financial aid is available in the form of admissions scholarships and need-based grants to matriculated students who qualify and who are enrolled in Hartford International degree programs. Students must file the FAFSA for consideration for need-based grants and federal loans. A Hartford Internaional financial aid supplement must also be submitted. Students are required to reapply for financial aid each year.

  • Articles and Book Reviews

    Sr. Rabia Harris, a Hartford Islamic Chaplaincy Program graduate (2009), has written a manual for CPE supervisors entitled, “Supporting Your Muslim Students: A Guide for Clinical Pastoral Education”. This is published and available through the ACPE at $5/copy. Contact ACPE: 1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103 Decatur, GA 30033; Phone: 404-320-1472; Email: acpe@acpe.edu

    GUIDELINES FOR IMAMS ASSISTING AN ABUSIVE PERSON*

    GUIDELINES FOR IMAMS ASSISTING A VICTIM/SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE*

    Dignity and Patient Care: An Islamic Perspective by Ingrid Mattson in the Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine

    “The terminally ill Muslim: Death and dying from the Muslim perspective.” Found in American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, Volume 18 No. 4, July/August 2001. By Sarhill, LeGrand, Islambouli, Davis and Walsh.

    Can Islamic Spiritual Scale Be Useful  By Nazila Isgandarova, PhD student, Muslim College, London, UK and Resident Chaplain, St. Joseph’s healthcare Setting, Hamilton, ON

    HIU Adjunct Professor Ahmed Nezar Kobeisy has published an important resource for professionals who counsel Muslims. The book Counseling American Muslims: Understanding the Faith and Helping the People is published in 2004 by Praeger in their “Contributions in Psychology” series.

    Armed Forces Chaplain Links

    Institutional Chaplaincy Sites

    Related Links

    • Professional Chaplains Organization http://www.professionalchaplains.org/
    •  American Association of Pastoral Counselors
    • Association for Clinical Pastoral Education The ACPE is a multicultural, multi-faith organization devoted to improving the quality of ministry and pastoral care offered by spiritual caregivers of all faiths through the educational methods of Clinical Pastoral Education.
    • Association of Professional Chaplains
    • Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education
    • International Network of Prison Ministries
    • The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) is an association of pastoral ministers who participate in the church’s mission of healing.  Our mission is to promote professional development and support services for our members.  We respond to the signs of the times prophetically and collaborate with others who share our mission.
    • Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains The Mission and Purpose of the Assembly is to foster Chaplaincy as an essential expression of the church’s healing ministry in response to the gospel imperative. The vision of AEHC is to further its mission by three means: advocacy, communication, and education.
    • Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE) http://www.cappe.org
    • Coalition On Ministry In Specialized Settings http://www.comissnetwork.org/
    • Journal of Pastoral Care Publications http://www.jpcp.org
    • The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) http://www.aapc.org
    • National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) http://www.najc.org/about/mission
    • The United Methodist Section of Chaplains and Related Ministries http://www.gbhem.org
    • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
http://www.aamft.org
    • American Association Mental Retardation/Religious Division
http://www.aamr.org
    • American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) http://www.aapc.org
    • Civil Air Patrol (CAP) go to CAP directorates http://www.capnhq.gov
    • Crime Victims Advocacy Council http://www.cvaconline.org/
    • Military Chaplains’ Association http://www.mca-usa.org
    • National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC) 
http://www.navac.net/
    • National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces http://www.ncmaf.org/
    • OMNI: Journal of Spiritual and Religious Care  http://www.omni.omc.ca/ 
This is the Online Journal of the Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care and has a readership which includes chaplains in various institutional settings, clergy and faith group leaders, and many government and institutional administrators.

    Islamic Resources

    Hartford International University Islamic web resources https://www.hartfordinternational.edu/interreligious-peace-studies-programs/degree-programs/ma-chaplaincy/islamic-chaplaincy-pathway/islamic-chaplaincy-resources

    Resources for the study of Islam

    Islamic News Portal  www.YaNabi.com
    Islamic Social Services Association http://www.issausa.org

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