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Columbia International University’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling will equip you to offer compassionate, Christ-centered pastoral care, helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world through God’s perspective. Whether serving in church ministry, non-profit organizations, or cross-cultural settings, you will learn to provide short-term pastoral care and counseling that addresses emotional, relational, and spiritual needs within a holistic approach. You will develop the tools to foster growth and healing in light of the gospel and a biblical-theological outlook for any ministry that God calls you to.
As a student, you’ll integrate theological wisdom with evidence-based counseling techniques, equipping you to provide care that is both biblically grounded and clinically informed. With mentorship from experienced faculty, you’ll develop the confidence and expertise to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, making a meaningful and lasting impact in their lives.
Campus • Online
Online – June 29
Online – August 24
Campus – August 24
39
$550
Seminary & School of Counseling
ABHE, ATS, SACSCOC
The MA in Pastoral Care & Counseling offers a transformative educational experience that combines interactive residential or online classes with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, all committed to the Bible’s call to care for those made in God’s image and make Him known.
At the heart of this program is a faculty comprised of caring, scholarly, and experienced practitioners who are deeply invested in your academic and spiritual growth.
You will graduate with the confidence and competence to provide holistic care, utilizing both theological and evidence-based counseling skills, to address the emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of others in any ministry you serve in.
Here is a glimpse at a few of the courses you will be taking in this program.
For a full list of courses related to this program, visit the Academic Catalog:
This course will enable you to understand the worldview assumptions that are foundational to a person’s belief systems and behavior patterns. You will analyze the culture and worldview of an ethno-linguistic or socio-economic grouping of people from a biblical worldview perspective. You will also consider elements of biblical contextualization.
In this course, you will explore the calling and practice of pastoral care as an expression of Christ’s compassion in a diverse and global context. You will study the biblical and theological foundations of caring ministry while developing culturally sensitive skills such as empathetic listening, comforting the grieving, and guiding others toward healing and reconciliation. Through reflection and practice, you will deepen your pastoral identity and learn to care wisely and faithfully across cultures and ministry settings as a Great Commission servant.
In this course, you will explore ethical and professional challenges in pastoral ministry, leadership, and counseling across diverse cultural and ministry settings. You will consider biblical standards, cultural expectations, and professional practices that promote integrity, accountability, and humility. Topics include confidentiality, dual relationships, power dynamics, gender interactions, and self-care. The course prepares you to serve faithfully and ethically in culturally varied contexts as a representative of Christ and His church.
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