Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling — Community Chaplaincy

What Will You Learn in Our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling Degree?

The pastoral counseling master’s degree courses integrate faith-based lesson plans so that you can learn in-demand skills while you study on your schedule. These distance learning classes are designed to accommodate you. The flexible and affordable 8-week format makes it easy to complete your courses without disrupting your current lifestyle. These courses cover topics such as:

• Introduction to Chaplaincy Ministry – Examine the theological and cultural issues in the ministry setting. Gain an understanding of the way the environment and culture of an area can influence the skills and materials utilized in ministry.

• Chaplain Ethics for Advisement and Pastoral Care – Prepare yourself for the full range of ethical issues facing yourself and those you will be ministering to. 

• Community Chaplaincy – Explore the different environments in which you may be called to serve. Identify the challenges and possible solutions that you may face in each situation. 

Each of your distance learning classes will be taught by a professor with experience in the field. They will be able to guide you through their own experiences and provide insight that can’t be found in a textbook. Your pastoral counseling master’s degree with a focus in community chaplaincy will prepare you for opportunities to serve in a variety of communities and environments.

You may also be interested in exploring our master’s degrees in addiction counseling, human services counseling, marriage and family counseling, or clinical mental health counseling.

Potential Careers for Pastoral Counseling Graduates

• Hospital counselor
• Military chaplain
• Non-licensed counselor
• Prison chaplain

Highlights of Our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling Program

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:

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• 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.
• 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. 
• You’ll be able to complete our ­­Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Community Chaplaincy online in as little as 1.5 years!

Military Benefits

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 – only $165/credit at 9-15 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 below 9 and above 15 credit hours for the online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling are charged at the part-time rate.