Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Theology
Prepare for Your Future in Ministry with Liberty’s MA in Pastoral Counseling – Theology
Take the next step in your academic and professional journey with Liberty. Whether you want to counsel individuals in your community or church, our Master of Arts (MA) in Pastoral Counseling – Theology can help equip you for success.
When people experience difficult situations in their lives, they can feel confused and lost. Having the right answers to their questions during this time can allow you to minister to them in a way you couldn’t otherwise. Our pastoral counseling degree is designed to help prepare you for these conversations so you can help individuals recover and heal from whatever they are facing.
If you choose to pursue our specialization in theology, you can develop Scriptural applications to integrate into your counseling practices. You can assess the methods of secular and Christian counselors and study under both to ground yourself in practical, ethical techniques.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
ATS Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of Our Master’s in Pastoral Counseling –Theology Degree
Professional Growth
You will have opportunities to earn several certificates from the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). These include Crisis Response, Life Coaching, and Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS).
Real-World Skills
You will complete a semester-long internship where you can gain real counseling experience in an approved setting, with guidance from a faculty member and small assignments to support your studies.
State-of-the-Art Ministry Resources
The 275-foot-tall Freedom Tower is home to the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity and Liberty Theological Seminary, giving you access to world-class facilities for your ministry training.
Training for Global Ministry
Through the International Mission Board (IMB) Pipeline Group, you can gain the training and support to help prepare for short-term or long-term mission work. This program can help you develop the skills and experience to serve in ministry worldwide.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with a Pastoral Counseling and Theology Master’s Degree?
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling with a specialization in Theology can help prepare you for 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 Our Pastoral Counseling – Theology Master’s Degree?
Our graduate students studying pastoral counseling explore the multicultural, family, and spiritual issues often faced in a pastoral setting. As a student in this program, you can receive training in solution-based models to apply various behavioral approaches and appropriate biblical teaching in your work. You will also examine the best ways to promote spiritual growth during crises and in premarital and marriage circumstances.
By focusing your degree in theology, you can gain a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine that can be applied to your profession as a counselor. From systematic to public theology, your classes will examine advanced theological concepts found throughout Scripture. You can gain the knowledge to share about the hope found through a relationship with Christ. That hope is a critical part of counseling and guiding others to healing.
Featured Theology Courses
PACO 509 – Spiritual Formation in Pastoral Counseling
THEO 525 – Systematic Theology I
THEO 626 – Doctrine of God
THEO 650 – Public Theology
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 – Theology Master’s Degree?
Strengthen Your Calling with Theological Insight
As a pastoral counselor, people will turn to you for both spiritual direction and life guidance. By choosing a theology concentration, you can deepen your understanding of biblical doctrine and gain the confidence to speak truth with clarity and compassion. This specialized training can help equip you to guide others through difficult seasons with wisdom rooted in Scripture.
Learn from Seasoned Ministry Professionals
When you join Liberty’s MA in Pastoral Counseling program, you’ll be mentored by faculty who have over 140 years of combined experience in the field. From hospital chaplains to marriage counselors, our professors have walked alongside people in some of life’s most challenging moments. They’re passionate about sharing their knowledge with you, not just through lectures, but through mentorship grounded in real-world ministry.
Apply Your Knowledge Through Meaningful Experience
You won’t just study theology and counseling theory, you’ll put it into practice. As part of your degree, you’ll complete a 225-hour internship in a setting that aligns with your calling. You can gain practical experience in individual, relationship, and group counseling, all while being supported and guided by faculty who are invested in your personal and professional growth.
Be Guided Every Step of the Way
At Liberty, your professors are more than teachers, they’re partners in your journey. They’ll monitor your internship assignments, provide feedback, and be available to support you both academically and spiritually. You’ll be part of a community that believes in walking with you as you prepare to lead others with truth, empathy, and grace.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling – Theology 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.