MDiv and Certifcate in Psychedelic Chaplaincy

DEEPEN YOUR ABILITY TO HOLD SPACE

​The Psychedelic Chaplaincy Programs at SKSM create a sacred training ground for people of faith to engage psychedelics through the lenses of justice, ethics, and spiritual care.

Participants learn to companion individuals through altered states of consciousness and to foster informed, grounded conversation within religious communities.

OUR UNIQUE PROGRAMS

REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Certificate in Psychedelic Chaplaincy

The Certificate Program is designed for those who already hold a graduate degree, as well as current Starr King students enrolled in one of our degree programs.

Admission requires completion of the Educating to Counter Oppressions (ECO) Core course at Starr King, offered in both Fall and Spring semesters.

The Certificate includes four courses (12 credits), to be completed within two years:

• Psychedelic Ministry Methods
• Psychedelic Traditions in the Cradle of Civilization: Anthropology, Myth & Indigenous Practices
• Deep Listening for All Forms of Ministry
• Psychedelic Policy, Advocacy & Decriminalization

Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Psychedelic Chaplaincy

The MDiv pathway includes the same four-course Psychedelic Chaplaincy deep dive, while also providing comprehensive ministerial and chaplaincy formation.

Students complete robust training in spiritual traditions, theology, pastoral care, ethics, and interreligious competency — preparing graduates to work skillfully with individuals and communities from any religious, cultural, or spiritual background.

The MDiv forms leaders who are grounded in justice, spiritually fluent across traditions, and equipped for professional chaplaincy, ministry, and advocacy in emerging psychedelic spaces.

Requirements

The Certificate in Psychedelic Chaplaincy is a 12-credit program to be completed within two years. The prerequisite for admission is the Educating to Counter Oppressions (ECO) Core course at Starr King, which is available to take in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Students may take ECO and Sacred and the Substance concurrently.

Program Director

The Rev. Dr. Pamela D. Hancock is a pagan priestess, professor author and artist.  She has over 20 years of experience in the realm of psychedelics–utilizing their medicine to enhance magical practices, strengthen bonds within her community, and assist people in connecting to deep archetypal wisdom.  Her current research is the investigation of the use of plant medicine through the lens of Depth Psychology and ancient Goddess traditions.  She not only is co-director of this program but will be teaching a course entitled Psychedelic Ministry Methods.

To learn more about Pamela please visit the full profile at www.sksm.edu/faculty/rev-dr-pamela-d-hancock.

Psychedelics and the Seminary Lecture Series

Professor Ayize Jama-Everett of Starr King’s Sacred and the Substance course has led two Psychedelics and the Seminary lecture series (2022 & 2023). During these lectures, he interviews some of the top writers, practitioners, and religious leaders in the psychedelic movement. Watch two of these lectures below:

Starr King Graduate Roundtable:

Next Steps

Questions? Contact us at admissions@sksm.edu or Contact Program Director at psychedelics@sksm.edu.