M.A. Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Counseling

Degree Description:

Pastoral counseling is the study of the family and of the individual from a spiritual perspective. It includes the study of the various principles of counseling as they relate to the work of the Pastoral Counselor. This degree is designed to provide the student with the basics in pastoral counseling and is unlike degrees offered by secular colleges. This degree is strictly religious in nature.

This degree is designed for those who have a desire to serve others as ministers and/or as spiritual/pastoral counselors. This degree prepares the student to enhance their community work as a minister/pastor or assisting others in those roles. This is an interfaith degree, drawing its coursework from various faiths and schools of counseling, and not oriented towards any particular religious belief system, though coursework can be rearranged to follow a students spiritual beliefs and/or future or current ministry.

This degree is NOT designed to meet any State or Federal licensure requirements nor does it qualify one to be a psychiatrist/psychologist or any other form of non-religious mental health or family counselor. This degree does qualify one to be a Pastoral Counselor. We encourage students to check with their State or Country regarding licensure requirements.

Upon graduation students are eligible to join The American Association of Psychotherapists or The International Association Pastoral Counselors   

Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling

Degree Requirements for the M.A. is as follows:

Prerequisites: Bachelor's Degree from an approved educational institution or proof of related life/work experience.

1. All assigned coursework as agreed upon by the student and their Academic Advisor.

2. M.A. candidate must write and then defend a Master's Thesis on a subject pertaining to pastoral counseling.

3. Tuition paid in full and all coursework must be completed and graded before diploma is awarded.

Total Courses: 9 + Thesis

Total Required Hours: 42

For more information please see our Admissions Requirements Page.

M.A. in Pastoral Counseling Coursework:

Coursework is as follows:

Counseling Basics (4 credit hours)

Pastoral Counseling I (4 credit hours)

Pastoral Counseling II (4 credit hours)

Transpersonal Counseling (4 credit hours)

Anger Management (4 credit hours)

Counseling in the Community (4 credit hours)

Addiction Counseling (4 credit hours)

The Psychology of Death & Dying (4 credit hours)

Brief Pastoral Counseling (4 credit hours)

Thesis (6 credit hours)

**Please note: All texts available either from the IFS Bookstore or Amazon.com. See the Bookstore link to the left.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Counseling

Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. is as follows:

Prerequisites: Master's Degree from an approved educational institution or proof of related life/work experience.
1. All assigned coursework as agreed upon by the student and their Academic Advisor.

2. Ph.D. candidate must write and then defend a dissertation on a subject pertaining to pastoral counseling.

3. Tuition paid in full and all coursework must be completed and graded before diploma is awarded.

Total Courses: Coursework + Thesis

Total Required Hours: 48

For more information please see our Admissions Requirements Page.

Coursework:

Coursework is as follows:

Courses and texts are the same as the Master`s Degree but with the following change in credit hours:

Counseling Basics (4 credit hrs)

Pastoral Counseling I (4 credit hrs)

Pastoral Counseling II (4 credit hrs)

Transpersonal Counseling (4 credit hrs)

Anger Management (4 credit hrs)

Counseling in the Community (4 credit hrs)

Addiction Counseling (4 credit hrs)

The Psychology of Death & Dying (4 credit hrs)

Brief Pastoral Counseling (4 credit hrs)

Doctoral Thesis (12 credit hrs)

 

For more information please see our Admissions Requirements Page.