An Evidence-Based, Cross-Sector Competency Framework for Chaplaincy: A Model for CBE with Complex Professions

Professional chaplaincy is a complex, relational field practiced across diverse institutional contexts, and it remains fragmented in its competency standards, hindering coherent educational and certification models. This study develops and validates a unified, cross-sector competency framework grounded in Competency-Based Education (CBE) principles. Employing a multi-phase design research process, the authors synthesized over a dozen frameworks through a “human-in-the-loop” AI-assisted normalization procedure. The result yielded 36 standardized competencies across six domains, each defined by Observable Performance Indicators. A cross-sector survey of 353 chaplains assessed the importance, frequency of use, and educational preparation for each competency, revealing substantial gaps. The resulting framework, the Center for Chaplaincy Studies (CCS) Competencies, provides theological educators and certifying bodies with a replicable, evidence-based tool for curricular alignment and demonstrates how CBE methodologies can be extended to other fragmented, high-complexity professions.