MA in Pastoral Counseling – Pastoral Counseling
Develop the Character and Skills You Need For a Successful Career in Pastoral Counseling
Equip yourself for a career that pairs your passion for people with your desire to serve the Lord. Our Master of Arts (MA) in Pastoral Counseling – Pastoral Counseling degree provides the skills, training, and experience to help people understand their situation, prevent further hardship, and begin the healing process.
Becoming a pastoral counselor allows for incredible ministry opportunities. Imagine being entrusted with your congregation’s emotional and spiritual well-being. You will have the chance to minister to countless individuals at a time when they need it most.
Whether you are looking to become a full-time counselor in your church, a non-licensed marriage and family counselor, or even a pastor, this graduate degree will put you on the right track. Our experienced team of professors has spent years in pastoral ministry, so you can trust that your courses will highlight the skill set to start your career journey.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
ATS Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of Our Master’s in Pastoral Counseling – Pastoral Counseling Degree
Fast-Track Your Future in Ministry
At Liberty, you can complete your master’s in pastoral counseling in as little as 1 year, so you can begin serving others sooner. This accelerated path allows you to dive into meaningful ministry with confidence, while still receiving a comprehensive, biblically grounded education that can help prepare you to counsel with wisdom and compassion.
Boost Your Credentials with Specialized Training
As a student, you’ll have the opportunity to earn additional certifications through the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). These include Crisis Response, Life Coaching, and Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS). Each certification adds practical value to your résumé and helps equip you with tools you can use immediately in a wide range of ministry settings.
Experience Mentorship That Truly Matters
With a 6:1 student-to-professor ratio for residential graduate programs, you can benefit from personalized attention and deep faculty investment. Our professors are more than instructors, they’re mentors who care about your spiritual growth and professional development. Many even pray for and with their students, creating a supportive, faith-filled environment where you’ll be encouraged every step of the way.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with This Pastoral Counseling Master’s Degree?
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling degree can help prepare you to pursue the following occupations:
- Associate pastor
- Chaplain
- Church counselor
- Lay leader
- Non-licensed counselor
- Teaching pastor
- Youth pastor
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in This Pastoral Counseling Master’s Program?
Our graduate students studying pastoral counseling explore the multicultural, family, and spiritual issues most often faced in a pastoral setting. As a student in this program, you will receive training in solution-based models so you can apply various behavioral approaches and appropriate biblical teaching in your work. You will also examine the best ways to promote spiritual growth during crises, as well as in premarital and marriage circumstances.
Pastoral Counseling Concentration
By specializing in general pastoral counseling studies, you will examine how to address issues across various demographics, such as children, women, and the elderly. You can also learn how to combine faith with successful counseling practices from both secular and Christian counselors.
Featured MA in Pastoral Counseling Courses
PACO 506 – Integration of Psychology and Theology
PACO 507 – Theology and Spirituality in Counseling
PACO 630 – Gerontology and Counseling
PACO 687 – Counseling Women
Degree Information
- This program falls under the Liberty Theological Seminary
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Accreditation
Your seminary degree is approved by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and has met rigorous accreditation standards. You can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Pastoral Counseling Master’s Degree?
Step Into Ministry with Confidence
Wherever God is calling you – whether it’s a local church, counseling ministry, or community outreach – you need the right training to lead well. Earning your MA in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty can help you build a strong foundation in biblical wisdom and counseling strategies, so you can serve others with confidence and care. This degree can help equip you to make a lasting impact in the lives of those you minister to.
Faculty Who’ve Walked the Path
Our professors bring over 140 years of combined experience in pastoral counseling, and they’re passionate about mentoring the next generation of Christian leaders. They’ve served as chaplains, crisis counselors, and ministry professionals, and they’re here to share their expertise with you. When you study at Liberty, you’re not just gaining knowledge; you’re learning from some of the most experienced voices in the field.
Apply What You Learn Through Meaningful Practice
You won’t just talk about ministry, you’ll step into it. As part of your program, you’ll complete a 225-hour internship in a counseling-related setting where you’ll provide individual, relationship, and group therapy. This hands-on experience is a key part of your training, giving you the opportunity to put your studies into practice while being supported and guided by faculty who care deeply about your success.
Be Mentored Every Step of the Way
At Liberty, you’ll be part of a community that believes in walking alongside its students. Your professors won’t just grade your assignments, they’ll be available to guide you, pray with you, and offer support as you grow into your calling. You’ll find a team of mentors who care about your spiritual formation as much as your academic progress, helping you become a compassionate and capable counselor.
Admissions
How Do You Become a MA in Pastoral Counseling Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Questionnaire
- Pastoral recommender contact information
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.