Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma
Help Those Suffering from Crisis and Trauma with Liberty’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling
Imagine a career that gives you opportunities to minister to those suffering from deep pain. You could use biblical truths and tested psychological methods to bring healing into the middle of life’s hardest situations. Liberty’s M.A. in Pastoral Counseling with a focus in crisis response and trauma can prepare you to make a positive, lasting impact on people’s lives.
Our degree in counseling will help you assess and respond to people experiencing stress, grief, and trauma. Get ready for ministry in churches, counseling centers, community programs, and even hospitals. In all of these settings, there are people desperately looking for ways to cope with their grief and pain. Whether your work involves believers, nonbelievers, or both, you will be making an impact on countless lives. Our degree is designed to give you the tools you’ll need to provide one-on-one attention to those in need so you can provide them with care spiritually and ethically.
Pursue Your Degree with Confidence
- Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Throughout the program, you will have opportunities to earn several certificates from the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). These certificates include Crisis Response, Life Coaching, and Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts (SYMBIS).
- With an 6:1 student to professor ratio for residential graduate courses, you can be sure you’re getting the one-on-one attention you need to excel in your program.
- Gain invaluable hands-on, face-to-face counseling experience in individual, relationship, and group therapy as you complete your internship.
What Will You Study?
- Church health and growth in the early, middle, and mature years of a church’s existence
- Fundamentals of the therapeutic relationship
- Solution-based models for short-term counseling
- Selected theories of counseling and psychotherapy
- The causes, symptoms, and treatments of PTSD and combat-related PTSD
- Various techniques for family discipleship, including family devotions, drill and catechism, Scripture memory, storytelling, teaching moments, relational example and intentional rehearsal
Career Opportunities for Discipleship and Church Ministry Pastoral Counseling Graduates
- Associate pastor
- Chaplain
- Church counselor
- Non-licensed counselor
- Outpatient care counselor
Internships and Resources Available to Pastoral Counseling Students
- You will complete a 225-hour internship in an approved, counseling-related setting.
- Gain invaluable hands-on, face-to-face counseling experience in individual, relationship, and group therapy.
- With an 6:1 student to professor ratio for residential graduate courses, you can be sure you’re getting the one-on-one attention you need to excel in your program.
- Our faculty care deeply for their students and are committed to praying for and with them throughout their academic journey.
Admission Requirements for Our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts with a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Questionnaire
- Contact information for 1 pastoral recommender
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their myLU account
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Available On Campus
Class Type
Residential
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Aug 24, 2026
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
