Pastoral Counseling, M.Div.
The Masters in Pastoral Counseling concentration is designed for those who desire to be involved in a counseling ministry, but who also want a solid biblical and theological foundation upon which to build their perspectives and practices of counseling.
This Master of Divinity degree program is intended especially for those who desire to minister through a pastoral counseling degree under the auspices of the local church. (M.Div. Core plus 12 credit hours.)
People are hurting, and they often turn to their pastor to seek spiritual guidance and help. Many of our students have been called by God to shepherd the body of Christ in ways that bring healing and restoration. The Master of Divinity with the pastoral counseling concentration provides both a deep theological foundation and skills for dealing with hurting people. The counseling courses in this degree are provided by the faculty in the Graduate Department of Counseling at Grace.
The MDiv degree program provides an optimal curriculum in graduate theological study to prepare men and women for various ministry roles. The three-year program requires 75 hours of study. There are eight concentrations: General Studies, Pastoral Studies, Pastoral Counseling, Christian Ministry, Exegetical Studies, Intercultural Studies, Women’s Leadership, and Chaplaincy Studies. Advanced Standing credit may be obtained for up to 18 credit hours of the MDiv degree and 36 credit hours may be transferred from an accredited institution. The combination of Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit is limited to 36 credit hours.
Ideal Fit
The Pastoral Counseling concentration is designed for those who desire to be involved in a counseling ministry, but who also want a solid biblical and theological foundation upon which to build their perspectives and practices of counseling.
This program is based on an inerrantist view of scripture and works to integrate biblical truth with valuable and helpful psychological and counseling principles that can be used in soul care, pastoral ministry, and Christian living.
Career Opportunities
A pastoral counselor's most important job is to provide support, spiritual guidance, and counseling to those in need.
Pastoral Counselors provide theologically and psychologically-informed support, spiritual guidance, and counseling to people of all ages and life circumstance.
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Pastoral Counselor
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Christian Schools
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Church Counseling
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Pastoral Care
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Lay Counseling Ministry
I was one of the only females in many courses, this was often intimidating, however it has prepared me well for ministry and my doctoral degree. I learned that my opinions and thoughts were just as valuable and insightful as my fellow classmates. I was able to join a mentoring group that was mostly female, the opportunity to walk through seminary with those in a similar position and on a similar path was encouraging and helped me endure.
Nicole Miller
Master of Divinity - 2012Course Overview
This course will examine the relationship between the fields of psychology and theology. A theology of “integration” will be presented.
In this course, students will examine today’s predominant counseling theories in order to develop their own biblical framework in which they will provide counsel to others.
This course will examine the various skills, methods and techniques used by a Christian or Pastoral Counselor to effectively minister to those being counseled.
This course will examine how to effectively engage in pre-marital counseling to help couples prepare for marriage and to help couples who are struggling in their marriage.
Through reading and writing, pastoral interviews, you will learn about: servant leadership, mentoring, visionary leadership, and leading as a change agent.
Entry Requirements
In order to be considered for enrollment in the Master of Divinity program at Grace Theological Seminary, you must fulfill certain admissions requirements:
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A four-year bachelor‘s degree or its equivalent (for international students) from a recognized institution of higher learning. Graduates of Bible colleges, liberal arts colleges, and state colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.
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A student who received his or her pre-seminary education at an institution that is not accredited or who achieved less than a 2.5 grade point average in pre-seminary education may be admitted on academic restriction.
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Applicants without a bachelor’s degree who have completed some or no college may be admitted if they meet certain ministry and research/writing requirements. Please contact seminary admissions for more information; email: gtsrec@grace.edu or phone: 877.607.0012.
Admission Requirements
Grace Theological Seminary welcomes applications from all individuals who have a testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
To be admitted as a Grace Theological Seminary student, you’re asked to provide:
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Official transcripts from the school where you obtained your degree. (If you are currently working on your degree, you can submit an unofficial transcript for admission until term completion, at which time an official transcript is required. Transcripts should be sent to admissions@grace.edu.
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A spiritual life reference
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International applicant must provide a copy of TESOL test scores, and provide a financial certificate indicating sufficient funding for the program of study.
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Master of Arts applicants may have additional non-academic requirements as well as longer ministry experience requirements. MA applicants are encouraged to contact admissions for more information.
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