Best PhD in Pastoral Counseling Programs

There are very few admissions requirements for a doctoral degree program in pastoral counseling, but this does not mean that anyone can apply and get in to the program. While pre-admission exams like the GRE, LSAT or GMAT are not required, acquiring a master's degree in counseling or a similar field from an accredited university is required prior to admissions for the doctoral program. In addition to the master's degree it is important to have admissions materials, such as both pastoral and professional recommendations, a personal testimony and statement of purpose, a resume, and an admissions interview. Some institutions also require one year of clinical training.

There are a number of educational prerequisites for pastoral counseling doctorate students. These include courses in counseling, such as Counseling Theories or Introduction to Christian Counseling, Human Growth and Development, Ethics of Counseling, Psychology and Theology, and Group Counseling or Individual Counseling. It also includes courses in theology, including Systematic Theology, Introduction to New Testament, Introduction to Old Testament, and Practical Theology. While there are not necessarily specific professional prerequisites, it is important to have significant professional experience in counseling and theology in order to be considered for doctoral candidacy.

There are a number of accreditations for pastoral counseling doctorate programs to take into consideration. For example, national accreditation with an accreditor that is recognized by the Department of Education, such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), will give students the opportunity to apply for federal financial aid. Additionally, there are a number of regional accreditors, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). This allows students to have access to various regional financial aid opportunities, like receiving in-state tuition from any of the universities in states that are regionally accredited by the same organization.

The average length of a doctorate in pastoral counseling program is around 36-40 credit hours, depending on the university attended. This usually takes around 3-4 academic years, depending on number of required credits and how many courses are taken each semester. It is important to check with each individual university because some programs have time limitations on how long it can take to complete. These credit hours are generally broken down into a number of categories depending on the institution. These categories may include:

• Academic
• Elective
• Clinical
• Research
• Dissertation

There are many courses available that are common to the pastoral counseling doctoral degree. These courses may include:

• Integration of Theology and Psychology
• Applied Research Methods (Qualitative and Quantitative)
• Cognitive Theory/Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

The integration of theology and psychology is extremely important to the degree because these courses discuss the relationship between Biblical theories and understanding of the human condition and professional counseling perspectives. This type of course may be found under a different name, such as Religious and Psychological Research, but it discusses the same topic. Applied Research Methods, both qualitative and quantitative, is a course that consists of different methods of clinical research. This is an extremely important course, as the profession may call for research and analysis of specific topics, especially if one wishes to become published. This is also important in setting up the future dissertation. In Cognitive Theory/Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, the student will learn various techniques of how cognitive therapy is conducted.

Preparing Your Pastoral Counseling Dissertation

In addition to completed academic, clinical, and research courses, it is important for students to complete a dissertation for pastoral counseling. The dissertation process includes extensive research, drawing conclusions and writing about findings, and completing a form of dissertation defense. There are a number of courses integrated into the program to assist with the dissertation process. Each student must create a dissertation proposal on a chosen topic that will add value to the pastoral counseling academic community, successfully defend the proposal, obtain permission to conduct research, collect and analyze the data, and complete the final writing of the dissertation. This will commonly take a number of years to complete, and many students will receive All But Dissertation (ABD) status on transcripts when they have completed the academic portion of the degree but have not yet completed the dissertation.

The pastoral counseling doctorate programs may also offer the option of concentrations within the field of pastoral counseling. This will allow the student to get a more focused view and may provide more specific learning opportunities. Concentrations may include:

• Pastoral Theology, Personalty and Culture
• Theological and Ethical Studies
• Liturgical Studies

Each of these opportunities provide different expectations of the pastoral counseling student and will better prepare the student for a specific career route.

Pastoral Theology, Personality and Culture

This is the most basic concentration that will best prepare a student for pastoral care and counseling in general. This interdisciplinary program will allow students to increase their understanding of the theories and practices of healing and care within a spiritual setting. It incorporates Biblical knowledge and the knowledge of human behavior and cultures in order to best assist clients/patients/church members with the healing care they need. Overall, a concentration in Pastoral Theology, Personality and Culture will be best suited for the student who wishes to go into counseling services in order to serve their community on a personal basis.

Theological and Ethical Studies

This concentration prepares the student to deal with ethical topics within theology, such as gender, race and class relations, war and peace, and technology and culture. Many clients/patients/church members may be a part of a minority group, or otherwise facing some of these ethical issues, and it is important for their pastoral counselor to be educated on such social topics, both within the context of today's society and within a Biblical or spiritual context. Overall, a concentration in Theological and Ethical Studies will be best suited for the student who desires working in a social justice field of pastoral counseling.

Liturgical Studies

This concentration prepares the student for leadership opportunities in seminary professions and the Church. Liturgical Studies provides a strong foundation through historical, theological, and pastoral study, including multi-cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives, so that each student is highly knowledgable in various areas both theologically and in counseling services. It is important for pastoral counselors to be strong leaders because clients/patients/church members are consistently looking to their pastoral counselor for help and advice.

Before obtaining a doctoral degree in pastoral counseling it is important to review the other types of pastoral counseling degrees that may be available to you. There are associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even graduate certificate options that will fulfill various pastoral counseling career obligations, depending on the student's desired outcome.

Pastoral Counseling Associate Degrees

Students may pursue an Associate of Arts in Pastoral Counseling or Christian Counseling in order to broaden their views on how to serve their church community from a Biblical counseling perspective. This is for ministry leaders who wish to enhance their effectiveness when ministering to people. This program is not designed to prepare students for state exams in counseling or to practice in secular organizations, so students may wish to further their education with a bachelor's degree.

Pastoral Counseling Bachelor's Degrees

A bachelor's degree in pastoral counseling will provide the student with the necessary credentials to pursue a career in Christian counseling. Students have the option to either prepare for pastoral counseling within the local church, parachurch community agencies, and other organizations that provide soul care, or for eventual professional counseling licensure by a state board. However, students will not be able to become state licensed unless they begin pursuing a master's degree in pastoral counseling.

Pastoral Counseling Master's Degrees

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling is designed to develop students' ability to provide counseling services within the church community or a nonprofit organization. This degree program will also offer the student the opportunity to take state licensing exams and apply for various counseling licenses and certifications. This will allow the student to practice professionally both within the church and within secular environments.

Pastoral Counseling Graduate Certificates

A graduate certificate in pastoral counseling or care is the most fast-paced option to receive essential skills for biblical counseling. The certificate program is best suited for ministry professionals looking to enhance their skills or for counseling professionals who wish to expand their knowledge with Christian counseling practices. This option is best for those who already have a previous degree in another area, such as psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, organizational psychology, school psychology, or school counseling and wish to offer their skillset to a new area of expertise.

Have you ever wondered, "What can I do with a Christian counseling degree?" There are many career options for those holding a degree in pastoral counseling, such as becoming a marriage and family therapist, a counseling psychologist, or a pastor. Other job options include an organizational psychologist, or mental health counselor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a career in counseling offers a job growth rate of about 14%-22% from 2019-2029, which means there is a very positive job outlook.

Become a Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists (MFT) provide counseling services to couples and children. A marriage and family therapist with a degree in pastoral counseling may be able to help families within a spiritual setting. An MFT with a doctorate degree in developmental psychology would strongly benefit a career in adolescent counseling. According to the BLS, an MFT has a median salary of about $51,340 with the highest 10% at $92,930. This is significantly above the median salary for all jobs, which is at $41,950. Overall, an MFT has many beneficial job outlooks.

Become a Counseling Psychologist

A counseling psychologist is a general counseling profession that provides mental health guidance to clients/patients. There are many ways to become a counseling psychologist, but all routes lead to obtaining a Psy.D in Clinical Psychology or another doctorate in counseling. According to the BLS, psychologists have a median annual income of $82,180.

Become a Pastor

A pastor leads and ministers to a church or other spiritual organizations. Pastors require an education in Christian services. According to the BLS, religious workers make an annual median wage of about $40,070, which is under the median annual income for all jobs. However, the top 90% make about $65,830, which is much higher.

One common license for pastoral counseling graduates is a license in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Each state requires different educational and professional backgrounds in order to become licensed, but most require at least a master's degree and passing a state licensing exam. One common certification is with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Counseling (ACPE). The ACPE Educator Certification is an earned privilege to those pastoral counselors who are qualified to educate the next generation of counselors.

One common professional organization for pastoral counselors is the American Association for Christian Counselors (AACC). The AACC provides resources for Christian counselors and their church members. Membership costs between $54-$129 depending on the desired package, and offers monthly magazines and discounts on resources. Another common organization is the National Association of Christian Counselors (NACC). The NACC offers training to church leaders and counseling services to spiritual people.

For a doctorate in pastoral counseling, each credit hour costs about $1,425, or $4,275 for a three credit hour course. This means that the entire degree program can cost anywhere from $51,300-$57,000 depending on how many credit hours are taken and which program is chosen. There may also be some extra student fees on top of annual tuition.

Despite high costs for this degree program, there are many scholarship and funding opportunities for a pastoral counseling doctorate. The most common opportunity is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This offers merit-based and need-based grants and loans to qualified individuals. Another scholarship option is the Mary Seeley Knudstrup Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This scholarship offers $1,000 to graduate women who are studying theology, Christian studies, religious education, pastoral counseling or other Church-related majors.