MA Pastoral Counseling - Theology

Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Theology

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Master of Arts Pastoral Counseling: Theology

Overview
What You Will Study
Careers
Benefits
Military

Provide Biblical Guidance and Counsel by Earning a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Degree Online

Finding new ways to enhance your ministry to further God’s kingdom can be challenging due to a lack of resources and knowledge. So let Liberty University help you help others! Our Master of Arts (M.A.) in Pastoral Counseling – Theology online degree can help you cultivate your walk with Christ as well as meet your educational needs by providing an in-depth investigation into biblically-based counseling techniques and theological examinations.

Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling with a specialization in theology can provide you with the training to integrate theological principles with the psychological knowledge to provide compassionate pastoral and counseling care. This training can enable you to provide counsel and assistance in a variety of church and ministry settings. The master’s in pastoral counseling distance learning degree builds upon previously gained knowledge as you strive to become a capable leader with the ability to address a variety of situations. 

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 among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – 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.

Cited tuition rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Credit Hours

SACSCOC

Available Online

Class Type

Online, 8-week courses

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Date

Sep 15, 2025

Accreditation

Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC

Areas of Interest

Choose your area of Interest:

Please select a Program of Interest. View Area of Interest

Training Champions for Christ

Liberty’s promise to you is an education that expertly brings knowledge and faith together. Here, education is designed around you. It connects you to people and opportunities that help you develop the skills and confidence you’re looking for. At Liberty, you’ll find the knowledge, experience, and mentorship you want to make your career — and life — a fulfilling one.

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Liberty University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and certain programs have earned additional field-specific accreditation as well.

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