Master's Degrees
Master of Pastoral Counseling
Advanced pastoral counseling study for ministers carrying significant care load, integrating theology of suffering, counseling method, supervised practice, and thesis research.
- Tuition
- $5,500full program
- Credit Hours
- 36
- Duration
- 24–36 mo
- Format
- 100% Online
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Provide soul care rooted in Scripture and pastoral presence
- Counsel through crisis, grief, marriage, and spiritual struggle
- Develop a theology of suffering that holds under pressure
- Recognize clinical indicators and refer responsibly
- Maintain confidentiality, ethics, and personal boundaries
Core Coursework
- 01Foundations of Pastoral Counseling
- 02Theology of Suffering and Lament
- 03Counseling Skills and Method
- 04Marriage and Family Care
- 05Crisis and Trauma Response
- 06Ethics, Confidentiality, and Legal Duty
- 07Addiction and Compulsive Behavior
- 08Supervised Pastoral Practicum
- 09Thesis
Course sequence and titles are subject to catalog revision. See the state course catalogs for the governing version.
Who This Program Is For
Pastors and ministry leaders whose primary work is caring for people.
Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree or equivalent standing
What This Credential Does and Doesn't Do
CRITICAL: Pastoral counseling is not clinical counseling. This degree does not lead to state licensure as a professional counselor or therapist.
FMI holds degree-granting authority in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, and is not accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. Read our full accreditation statement.
Ready to begin?
Enrollment is open year-round. Application and registration is a one-time $150, and payment plans are available on all tuition.
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