Master of Divinity (M.Div.) – Pastoral Counseling

What Will You Study in Our M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling?

• Study foundational doctrines for Christian counselors
• Examine multicultural issues in pastoral care and counseling
• Learn a research-informed biblical standard for healthy sexuality
• Study unique issues in counseling such as end-of-life care

Because the pastoral counseling M.Div. is part of the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, you will be equipped with a foundation in core Master of Divinity courses like hermeneutics, discipleship ministries, and systematic theology. Your pastoral counseling area of study adds classes specialized in giving you an understanding of specific counseling issues likely to be encountered in ministry. In your specialization, you will be able to customize your pastoral counseling courses to best suit your specific ministry needs.

Our professors have real-world experience in ministry and are dedicated to helping you grow into a more effective servant of Christ throughout your M.Div. degree program courses. They facilitate interactive online learning environments to give you the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other online students.

Potential Careers for M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling Graduates

• Church counselor (non-licensed)
• Family pastor
• Senior pastor

Benefits of Pursuing Liberty University’s M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling

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 degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity has been accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your divinity degree has been approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
• 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 can complete the Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling degree program in as little as 2 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 Divinity are charged at the part-time rate.