Program Purpose
To educate and prepare individuals to serve communities through compassionate chaplaincy, humanitarian assistance, ethical advocacy, crisis support, and national and community service leadership.
Designed for aspiring chaplains, community advocates, veterans' service representatives, nonprofit volunteers, faith-based service leaders, and humanitarian workers.
Tuition
$350.00
Your one-time tuition includes everything you need to earn the credential:
- Detailed study information for all 11 lessons — read each lesson in the study guide
- The complete Crisis Referral Directory to download or print for your field work
- The 25-question final examination with secure, saved scoring
- Your GIA certification certificate, issued once you score 70% or higher
- A GIA Chaplaincy Pin and your printed certificate sent by mail after you pass the final exam

What arrives in the mail
Once you pass, GIA mails your Chaplaincy Pin and a printed copy of your certificate to the address you give us. Your digital certificate stays available to print or download as a PDF at any time.
Shipping
All overseas students are responsible for their own shipping. To South Africa, economy post with tracking is about $20 and arrives in 14–28 days; tracked priority is about $47 and arrives in 6–10 days.
Frequently asked questions
- When do I receive my pin and mailed certificate?
- After you pass. Once you score 70% or higher on the 25-question final exam, GIA issues your certificate and mails your Chaplaincy Pin together with a printed certificate to your address.
- Do I still get a certificate I can print or download?
- Yes. The moment you pass, your certificate appears on the Certificate tab, where you can print it or download it as a PDF. The mailed pin and printed certificate are in addition to that.
- Who pays for shipping?
- All overseas students are responsible for their own shipping cost. GIA confirms the amount and delivery option with you before the pin and certificate go out.
- How long does the mailing take?
- It depends on where you live and the option you choose. To South Africa, allow 14–28 days by economy post or 6–10 days by tracked priority.
- What if my pin or certificate never arrives?
- Tell GIA staff and we will mail a replacement. Your certificate number stays valid, so the certificate can still be verified online.
GIA Certification Requirements
| Educational instruction | Complete all lessons in the study guide |
| Final examination | 25 multiple-choice questions · 4 points each · 100 points total |
| Minimum passing grade | 70% (18 correct answers) |
| Practical assessment | One supervised community-service case study |
| Ethical responsibility | Acknowledge professional conduct and confidentiality requirements |
| Certificate issuance | After successful completion and GIA administrative verification |
Course Schedule
- Session 1. Introduction to Chaplaincy and Compassionate Service45 min
- Session 2. National and Community Service Advocacy45 min
- Session 3. Human Rights, Ethics, and Confidentiality45 min
- Session 4. Crisis Support, Veterans, and Community Outreach45 min
- Session 5. Review and 25-Question Final Examination60 min
Total recommended learning time: 4 hours — in one day or at your own pace over up to seven days.
Tuition required to open the 11 lessons
The $350.00 tuition must be paid in full before you study the course or take the exam. Each payment unlocks one student account only.
Sign in or create your account firstKeep the Crisis Referral Directory on hand — download or print it for your field work.