Master of Arts (M.A.) in Pastoral Counseling – Theology
Prepare for Your Future in Ministry with Liberty’s M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Theology
As a pastor and counselor, people will look to you for spiritual and general life guidance. Whether you want to counsel individuals in your community or members of your church, our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Theology can equip you to help people heal and grow closer to Christ. With the specialization in theology, you will develop scriptural applications to integrate into your counseling practices. With biblical guidance and sound counseling techniques, you will have the tools you need for effective ministry.
You will also have many opportunities to take your education outside the classroom. Our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling students complete a 225-hour internship in an approved, related setting. You will gain valuable hands-on, face-to-face counseling experience in individual, relationship, and group therapy. You will also have our faculty by your side. With over 140 years of total pastoral counseling experience between them, our faculty knows how to provide exceptional care to those in need of spiritual truths and emotional guidance.
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 Learn?
- Essential Christian counseling techniques and evidence-based biblical counseling
- Foundational doctrines of Scripture, God, angels, and humanity
- How psychological and theological concepts relate to one another
- The role and practice of Christian ministry in responding to ethical challenges presented by cultural developments in the contemporary world
Career Opportunities for Discipleship and Church Ministry Pastoral Counseling Graduates
- Associate pastor
- Chaplain
- Church counselor
- Lay leader
- Non-licensed counselor
- Teaching pastor
- Youth pastor
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 ASIST account
These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. 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 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Aug 18, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
