M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Dobson Center Parenting & Child/Adolescent Development
Help Parents Raise the Next Generation with the Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling with a specialization in parenting and child/adolescent development is designed to train ministry professionals and church leaders to become biblical counselors in Christian ministries and agency-based non-licensure settings. Pastoral counselors make a life-lasting impact as they assist families in becoming a cohesive unit that is centered around God. As individuals or families face spiritual, physical, or mental crises, a counselor can assist them through healthy steps to overcome such challenges.
Liberty University has collaborated with the world-renowned psychologist, author, radio show host, and family expert Dr. James C. Dobson to create Liberty University’s James C. Dobson Center for Child Development, Marriage, and Family Studies. Through this partnership, our parent and child/adolescent degree program is offered.
What Will You Study in the Online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development Program?
Our parenting and child/adolescent studies degree features lectures from family expert Dr. James C. Dobson which will equip you with the knowledge and training to positively impact families and communities.
You will study the important foundational subjects of:
- How family issues and environmental factors affect child development
- The development of personhood from childhood to adulthood
- Premarital and marital counseling theories
- Counseling adolescents through transitional stages in life
- Human growth and lifespan development
You will also be able to choose individual child counseling issues courses such as Childhood Trauma and Healthy Sexuality. Because this degree program can be completed 100% online, you can stay involved with your family, job, church, and community while you earn your master’s degree!
Potential Career Options with a Degree in Pastoral Counseling
Students who complete a degree in Christian counseling like the online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling will be equipped for ministry-based, non-licensure counseling roles in many areas including marriage and family counseling, addiction counseling, and counseling women. Graduates of the parenting and child/adolescent development track will be equipped for specialized parent counseling and family therapy ministry.
- Associate pastor
- Caseworker
- Child advocate
- Church counselor
- Family therapist
- Outpatient care counselor
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Program Highlights
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 degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- 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 $2,750. It’s our way of supporting all you do to serve others.
- You can complete our Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development studies in less than 2 years.
Military Benefits for the Online M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
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 – $275 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: $2,475 per semester when taking 9-15 credits – only $165/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 above 15 credit hours for the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling degree program are charged at the part-time rate.
Credit Hours

Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC