Theology and Religious Vocations
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Colleges award this field under 7 named programs, from Pastoral Studies/Counseling to Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 7 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- Focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Covers pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
- Youth Ministry
- Prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults. Covers child and adolescent psychology, human growth and development, family studies, communication skills, religious education, youth counseling, small group leadership, planning and organizing youth activities, volunteer supervision, and youth evangelism and worship.
- Urban Ministry
- Prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to individuals and groups in urban communities. Covers bible study and theology, pastoral leadership and care, urban structure and context, inner city ministry, counseling ministries, family studies, homiletics, social ethics, and community organizing.
- Women's Ministry
- Prepares non-ordained women to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to other women in local churches, parachurch organizations, and other settings. Covers foundations of women's ministry, women's ministry in the local church, spiritual formation, women's evangelism and discipleship, bible study and theology, homiletics, lay counseling, women's issues, and leadership training.
- Lay Ministry
- Prepares non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings. Covers bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.
- Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
- Prepares you to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting. Covers global, healthcare, prison, and sports chaplaincy; addiction, crisis, disaster, family, marriage, grief, and loss counseling; ethics; leadership; multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts; and worship.
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other
- Pastoral counseling and specialized ministries not listed above.
Also called Christian Counseling
Also called Youth and Family Ministries
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
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Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University VA | 68 | 99% | $27,000 |
| Regent University VA | 44 | 41% | $18,000 |
| Calvin University MI | 30 | 71% | $19,000 |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor TX | 8 | 95% | $24,000 |
| Cedarville University OH | 5 | 63% | $20,000 |
| Samford University AL | 3 | 82% | $32,000 |
| University of the Incarnate Word TX | 3 | 93% | $22,000 |
| Anderson University IN | 2 | 53% | $22,000 |
| University of Dallas TX | 2 | 54% | $17,000 |
| Loyola University Chicago IL | 1 | 81% | $32,000 |