Credential Pathway

CSC certificate through to board-certified chaplain — the complete Hindu chaplaincy pathway through HSCI and the Graduate Theological Union

CSC Overview → Curriculum → Credential Pathway → GTU Partnership → Endorsement → Fellowships → Meet graduates from prior years

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The Hindu Chaplaincy Pathway

Four steps from foundational training to board-certified professional chaplain, rooted in the Hindu tradition.

CSC Certificate

HSCI

CSC Certificate

Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI)

9 months 6 Mandalas 200+ hours

The Counselor of Spiritual Care (CSC) program provides the foundational training in Hindu spiritual care. Scholars study the Bhagavad Gita, learn TrayaCare conversation methods, and develop skills for serving in hospitals, universities, and community settings.

Self-paced online learning with live mentoring
Pre-recorded lectures, role-play, and reflection papers
Open to applicants globally with a bachelor's degree

Learn more about the CSC program →

MA in Interreligious Chaplaincy

Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Berkeley

36 credits total 12 credits from CSC ~2 years

HSCI graduates can apply up to 12 transfer credits toward the GTU's Master of Arts in Interreligious Chaplaincy. This accredited graduate degree deepens interfaith competence and prepares students for clinical and institutional chaplaincy roles.

Accredited master's degree from a world-class theological university
12 HSCI credits transfer directly, reducing time to degree
Coursework in ethics, pastoral theology, and interfaith dialogue

Explore the HSCI-GTU partnership →

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

HSCI Hindu CPE via CPEI

400 hours (100 academic + 300 practical) Hindu-centric curriculum Community-based

HSCI offers a Hindu-centric CPE course under an affiliate agreement with CPEI (Clinical Pastoral Education International). The course integrates Hindu theology, philosophy, ethics, and spiritual care practices with supervised practical experience.

Typically completed during or after the MA program
Combines direct patient care with peer group reflection
Required for board certification

View HSCI fellowship opportunities →

Board Certification

APC / BCCI / NAJC

Professional credential Peer review

Board certification is the professional standard for chaplains in healthcare, military, and institutional settings. Candidates present their work to a peer review committee and demonstrate competence across multiple domains of chaplaincy practice.

Recognized by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI), and Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC)
Requires a graduate theological degree, 4 units CPE, and endorsement
The terminal professional credential for hospital and institutional chaplains

A note about accreditation: HSCI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization and is not an accredited degree-granting institution. The CSC is a certificate program. The pathway to an accredited master's degree and board certification runs through HSCI's partnership with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), which is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

"By design chaplaincy is inter-religious. It is intercultural. It is intergenerational. It is interdisciplinary."

Prof. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, GTU

"Do not underestimate the important and sometimes critical role that you will play."

Dr. Mahadevan, Stanford University

Start Your Training

Wherever you are on this pathway, from first enquiry to board certification, the pathway starts with the CSC program.

Apply to the CSC Program