Bachelor of Science in Chaplaincy Prepare for a Career in Spiritual Leadership
120
Credit Hours
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
Do you feel a calling to serve others and give spiritual comfort? Conferring a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chaplaincy at Liberty University can help equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to work as a ministry leader in diverse settings. Your coursework will delve into key areas such as chaplain leadership, chaplain ethics, biblical counseling, and biblical theology. These subjects are crafted to enhance your ability to lead, whether you are speaking from the pulpit or guiding a small group.
This comprehensive program also emphasizes the importance of being a witness to the Good News in the various communities you may serve. Designed for flexibility, this degree can help prepare you to provide Christ-centered chaplain leadership and spiritual care in a range of environments, including corporations, sports organizations, public safety agencies, and disaster relief teams. Through this program, Liberty aims to help prepare you to make a meaningful impact, wherever your calling takes you.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
The Bachelor of Science in Chaplaincy at Liberty University has been crafted to help prepare you to be sent by the local church to share the presence and message of Christ in every setting. This degree aims to help equip you with the skills to serve in various chaplaincy roles where graduate education is not required, while also laying a solid groundwork for future graduate-level chaplaincy studies if you hope to further your education later on. For instance, you could potentially pursue an MA in Chaplaincy or a Master of Divinity in Professional Chaplaincy after completing our online chaplaincy bachelor’s degree program.
With a strong emphasis on leadership, ethics, and ministry from an evangelical, biblical worldview, this program can help provide you with a robust foundation in chaplaincy. The internship component can help prepare you for real-world situations as you work under the supervision of an approved mentor. As a graduate, you can follow your calling to bear the presence and message of Christ without reservation.
The Bachelor of Science in Chaplaincy at Liberty University aims to give you a firm basis for your understanding of Scripture and equip you to explain God’s Word to the masses. You can learn both critical thinking skills and theological principles for responding persuasively to those who bring up objections. Through our chaplaincy degree, you can develop an awareness of the various approaches to biblical counseling and gain foundational skills in this area.
In addition, you can explore the prophets and historical books of the Old Testament as well as learn effective methods for studying Scripture. Your education will cover Acts, Paul’s letters, interpretation and application of the books of Hebrews through Jude, and many more topics that can enhance your ability to serve effectively in ministry.
You will also explore a variety of topics directly related to chaplaincy. Your courses will focus on various functional areas of chaplaincy, including corporate, healthcare, military, education, prison, community, disaster relief, public safety, recreation, and sports. Additionally, you will explore the skills, strategies, and character traits necessary for effective chaplain ministry within secular and sacred settings. Ethics and leadership skills will also be a part of your preparation for your future career.
Depending upon your chosen field of chaplaincy additional training may be needed.
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
| Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
| Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
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Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.