Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Mentor Future Generations
Provide Biblical Guidance and Counsel with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling
A Master of Arts (MA) in Pastoral Counseling is a degree that can travel far in an imperfect world. If you want to help people work through life’s challenges, Liberty University’s non-licensure pastoral counseling degree is a great option. Our program can provide you with the counseling skills and biblical knowledge to help people in all walks of life – from spouses and families to service members and new believers.
Pastoral counselors combine theology with psychotherapy to address relational, emotional, and spiritual needs. By integrating modern psychology with ministry training, they can help people overcome many challenges, including addiction, marital issues, family conflict, and trauma. As leaders in ministry and mental health, they provide valuable guidance and comfort to people of all ages and stages.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts (MA) in Pastoral Counseling.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Please note that the online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling program is not designed to fulfill clinical counseling requirements. You can view Liberty University’s licensure-track Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree for more information about counseling licensure.
Accreditation
Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
What is pastoral counseling?
Our MA in pastoral counseling is a graduate-level program designed to blend the principles of mental health counseling with spiritual guidance, allowing you to support individuals not just psychologically, but spiritually as well. As a student in this program, you can dive deep into understanding human behavior, emotional distress, and the methods of therapeutic intervention.
However, what sets pastoral counseling apart is its integration of religious, spiritual, and theological insights into the pastoral counseling process. This means you can also study religious texts, spiritual formation, and the ethical considerations unique to pastoral counseling.
What Will You Study in Our Pastoral Counseling Master’s Degree Program?
What sets pastoral counselors apart from regular counselors? The ability to offer counseling from a biblical perspective.
In this program, you can learn how to address emotional, relational, and psychological needs within a spiritual context. Our courses can help enrich your understanding of what the Bible says about suffering and human nature, giving you the tools needed to employ scientifically and biblically sound counseling methods.
This pastoral counseling program integrates foundational courses with various specializations, allowing you to earn a degree that aligns with your interests and career goals. No matter which specialization you choose, this degree can help you become more biblically responsible, relationally wise, and ministry-ready.
The core pastoral counseling courses will address a variety of topics, including crisis intervention, family issues, counseling theory, theological doctrine, and multicultural issues. You can also gain real-world experience by completing a supervised internship, which includes at least 150 hours, including 25 hours of face-to-face pastoral counseling experience. With a master’s in pastoral counseling, you can be better prepared to pursue work in a variety of settings, like churches, hospitals, correctional facilities, military bases, and pastoral counseling centers.
Featured Courses
Online Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Degree Information
Why Choose Liberty University’s Online Pastoral Counseling Degree?
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Potential Careers with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling
- Associate pastor
- Chaplain
- Church counselor
- Lay leader
- Life coach
- Marriage and family
- Non-licensed counselor
- Outpatient care counselor
- Teaching pastor
- Youth pastor
Additional requirements may be necessary for licensure or practice in these roles. Liberty University does not guarantee employment.
MA in Pastoral Counseling Degree Options
Within our pastoral counseling degree online, you’ll get to choose a specialization that provides specialized training and knowledge. These cognates will allow you to personalize your degree to meet your unique goals.
Addictions and Recovery
Community Chaplaincy
Crisis Response and Trauma
Discipleship and Church Ministry
Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future
Dobson Center Marriage and Family Studies
Dobson Center Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development
General
Leadership
Life Coaching
Marriage and Family
Military Resilience
Pastoral Counseling
Theology
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,850 |
|---|---|
| Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $410/Credit |
| Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,575 |
| Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $290/Credit |
These 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.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the MA in Pastoral Counseling Degree Program
Admission Requirements
Preliminary Acceptance
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Transcript Policies
Admissions Office Contact Information
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,575 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder **
- 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 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.
**Not applicable to certificates, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.
These 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.
