Theological Education Equivalency: Defending the First Pagan Master of Divinity Degree, 2012 CE

The Master's thesis of the first Master of Divinity graduate of the first Pagan seminary in the world argues that her degree is equivalent to a graduate theological degree from an accredited seminary, as required for board certification as a chaplain. The thesis compares the author's specific 72-credits of successfully-completed coursework in Pagan Pastoral Counseling -- with descriptions, required texts, and faculty qualifications -- to the requirements for an MDiv from a wide range of US and Canadian accredited seminaries and universities. Most of these are Christian, but recently two accredited universities have begun offering Buddhist MDiv opportunities. The context and clarification of the issues describe board certification in chaplaincy and examine the process, qualifications, necessity, and options for aspiring or functioning chaplains, primarily in healthcare settings. With the growing and welcome diversity of religions in America nurturing potential chaplains in search of credentials for employment, certifying bodies like the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) are expanding their understanding of theological education to, in this case, include religions without Scripture. The formal Abstract of the Thesis reads: The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) requires a graduate theological degree from an accredited seminary or the equivalent for qualification as a Board Certified Chaplain. This study infers the applied standard for equivalency from the publications of APC and from the theological masters program requirements of accredited seminaries. The courses credited toward the first Master of Divinity in Pagan Pastoral Counseling from Cherry Hill Seminary are shown to parallel those of degrees from two accredited seminaries, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Tyndale Seminary, when religion-specific requirements for Bible and Christian history studies are replaced by Pagan studies and personal spiritual formation is based on the stated mission values of Cherry Hill Seminary rather than the teachings of Jesus. Further analysis, given similar accommodation, suggests that the Cherry Hill Seminary curriculum in Pagan Pastoral Counseling could satisfy the accreditation requirements of the Association of Theological Schools.