MA Chaplaincy

Received a BA with honors in classical and early Christian studies from the University of Calgary; an MA from the University of Calgary in religious studies (ancient Christianity); an MSt from Oxford (Christ Church) in Jewish studies; and a PhD from the University of Toronto in religious studies (early Christianity). Before coming to BYU, he held a visiting assistant professorship in the Department of Classical Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Justin Top joined Religious Education in 2022 and is an associate graduate coordinator for the MA Chaplaincy program. Justin has a MA in Religious education and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, both from BYU. His area of interest is in the relationship between spirituality and mental health, and he has a particular passion for studying the role that grace can play in emotional and mental well-being. After working in Seminaries and Institutes for seven years, Justin joined the US Navy as an active-duty chaplain in 2008, where he completed two deployments in support of the war on terror. He also worked at the Pentagon developing a program to promote “spiritual fitness” in the Marine Corps. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU, Justin worked first as a hospice chaplain, then as a psychologist in various mental health settings. He also continues his military service in the Navy reserves. Justin, his wife Shauna and their large family enjoy outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, canyoneering, skiing and travel.

Dr. Harms was born and raised in Port Townsend Washington. He is a retired Army Chaplain with combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He first served in the United States Army for six years as a Hebrew Linguist, and then for another seventeen years as an Army Chaplain. He received a D.Min. from Erskine Theological Seminary, a Master’s degree from the Baltimore Hebrew University (Judaic Studies), and a Bachelor’s degree from BYU. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, and the Hebrew Course at the Defense Language Institute. Dr Harms was the Distinguished Honor Graduate from the Army’s Chaplain Advanced Course. He completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and has worked as a supervisory Hospital Chaplain (Chaplain Senior Clinician). He has experience in Combat Ministry, Post Traumatic Healing and Growth, Hospital Ministry, Jewish History, and Hebrew Studies. He is married to the former Heidi Harper of Olympia, Washington. They have seven children and two grandchildren.