M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future
Influence and Empower Others with an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future
Do you want to help families grow closer to God as they grow closer together? Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future will provide you with practical tools to help children, educate families, and empower parents. The skills you will develop are foundations to advocate for the rights of children and families and to assist families who are facing emotional and spiritual challenges. Liberty’s online pastoral counseling program will help you develop the skills you need to be a Champion for Christ for families in your community!
Please note: while this degree may assist students seeking professional licensure, it does not meet all licensure requirements.
What Will You Study in Our M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
- Public policy and advocacy strategies
- Divorce, marriage, and blended families
- Research and emergency paradigms in marriage and family studies
The core content of the online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling provides a broad set of foundational Christian counseling skills and knowledge along with field-specialized topic courses and hands-on skill areas. Graduates of this program are equipped to provide godly counsel and assist in conflict resolution. If you are passionate about making a positive impact for Christ in the lives of families, Liberty’s M.A. in Pastoral Counseling will help you get the training you need!
The Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling will provide you with a biblical worldview of human behavior and application of helping skills for a non-licensure counseling role. Through our carefully chosen courses, you can master essential biblical counseling skills and apply evidence-based practices in addictions and recovery, pastoral counseling, marriage and family therapy, pastoral leadership, and life coaching. With the specialized Family Advocacy content created in partnership with the Dobson Center, you will be able to apply these skills to help families meet the challenges of today.
Students in the Parent and Child/Adolescent track will study important foundational subjects such as how family issues and environmental factors affect child development and about the development of personhood from childhood to adulthood. Students will also be able to choose individual child counseling issues courses such as Childhood Trauma and handling Healthy Sexuality in a biblical way.
Potential Careers with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling
- Case worker
- Child advocate
- Family advocate
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Program Highlights
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:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online master’s degree in pastoral counseling degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- 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.
- 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.
- You can complete our online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Dobson Center Family Advocacy, Public Policy, and the Future in less than 2 years.
M.A. in Pastoral Counseling Dobson Center Family Advocacy 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
- Discounted Divinity Block Rate: 9-15 credits receives block rate of $2,475 per semester – only $165/credit at 15 credit hours!*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
- 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 above 15 credit hours for the Master’s of Pastoral Counseling degree program are charged at the part-time rate
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
No tuition increase for 9 years
We want to help you pursue your goals – so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven’t.
Popular Degrees
All Areas of Interest
Arts & Sciences
Aviation
Behavioral Sciences
Business
Communication & Design
Criminal Justice
Education
Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Law & Government
Music & Worship
Nursing
Religion & Seminary
Hear from our Graduates
“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”
Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision
“Liberty offers an affordable, Christ-centered education, honoring the foundations of our country. I have learned how to apply a Biblical worldview to my work in public policy while adequately knowing history and the founding documents of United States.”
Morgan Schlesselman, Master’s in Public Policy
“There have been so many highly qualified professors who have sown generously into my academic endeavors at Liberty that encouraged me when I felt like giving up.”
James, Master of Divinity
