Doctor of Worship Studies Pastoral Counseling
Pursue Doctoral Studies in Worship and Pastoral Counseling and Expand Your Ministry
Whether you are already serving in a ministry position or are looking to advance to a teaching role at the university level, our online Doctor of Worship Studies (D.W.S.) – Pastoral Counseling degree can help you pursue your personal, professional, and ministry-related goals. Our program emphasizes the practical application of worship studies and Godly counseling to your ministry.
Our courses can help you learn how to meet the unique demands of the 21st-century church and community. Throughout this degree, you have the opportunity to advance your knowledge of theology, philosophy, and leadership, as well as explore counseling techniques to integrate into your ministry.
It is our goal to equip worship leaders and counselors to meet the spiritual needs of congregations. If you have a passion for worship, pastoring, counseling, and leadership, this doctorate degree program could be a valuable asset to your role in the faith-based community.
What Will You Study in Our Doctor of Worship Studies – Pastoral Counseling Degree?
- Biblical and theological concepts and topics that ground ministries in the Word of God
- Essential counseling practice methods and intervention techniques
- Foundational principles of human psychology that can teach you how people think and change
- The concerns and issues often brought up in individual, family, premarital, and marital counseling
Our core worship studies courses provide advanced training in worship theology and the integration of foundational philosophies and methodologies, which is central to biblical worship for your ministry. By choosing to pursue the pastoral counseling focus, you can become equipped to pursue various new or advanced ministry opportunities. Furthermore, by developing the tools and techniques you need to handle situations within your ministry team, you can train to become a valuable asset and counselor.
Potential Career Opportunities for Doctor of Worship Studies in Pastoral Counseling Graduates
- Head worship pastor
- Music and worship instructor
- Professor of worship studies
- Worship coach or analyst
- Worship counselor and advisor
- Worship theologian
Highlights of Our Online Doctor of Worship Studies in Pastoral Counseling
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 worship studies doctoral 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!
- You will complete an integrated thesis project that can demonstrate your expertise and ability to apply advanced worship theology and Christian scholarship to practical worship ministry problems.
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Here’s how:
- If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
- If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $375/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $375/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!
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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.
Credit Hours

Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Oct 20, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC










600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
Top 35% for Affordability
Most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
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