Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Theology

What Will You Study in Our Pastoral Counseling Degree?

• Ethics and Christian ministry
• Systematic theology
• The doctrine of God

This online M.A. degree allows you to integrate theological principles with the psychological knowledge to offer compassionate pastoral and counseling care. Your online training can enable you to give counsel and assistance in a variety of church and ministry settings.

You may also be interested in exploring our master’s degrees in addictions counseling, human services counseling, marriage and family therapy, or clinical mental health counseling. 

Potential Career Options with Your Degree in Pastoral Counseling

• Church counselor
• Lay pastor
• Non-licensed counselor
• Teaching pastor

Highlights of Liberty’s Online M.A. in Pastoral Counseling Degree

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026 – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online MA in Pastoral Counseling — Theology degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors. As a nonprofit university, Liberty continues to strive to keep costs low for our students!
• Your ministry matters – so when you take 9-15 credit hours per semester in your divinity program, you’ll pay a discounted block rate of $2,850. It’s our way of supporting all you do to serve others.
• You have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through an optional internship.

Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)

• Discounted Divinity Block Rate: $2,575 per semester when taking 9-15 credits – only $172/credit at 15 credit hours!*
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences).

*Credits taken below 9 credit hours and above 15 credit hours for the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Theology are charged at the part-time rate.