About this program
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
Career Opportunities
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Philosophy and Religion Professors
teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
$90160
Doctoral degree
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
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Clergy
conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
$56560
Master's degree
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
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Religious Activities Directors
coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
$52660
Bachelor's degree
High job satisfaction
Related Majors
Youth Ministry
A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults. Includes instruction in 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
A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to individuals and groups in urban communities. Includes instruction in 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
A program that prepares non-ordained women to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to other women in local churches, parachurch organizations, and other settings. Includes instruction in 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
A program that 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. Includes instruction in bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.
Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
A program that prepares individuals to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting. Includes instruction in global, healthcare, prison, and sports chaplaincy; addiction, crisis, disaster, family, marriage, grief, and loss counseling; ethics; leadership; multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts; and worship.
Religious/Canon Law
A program of study that focuses on the history, theology, and philosophy of religious, church, and ecclesiastical law and that prepares individuals to serve as professional canonists.
Worship Ministry
A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship. Includes instruction in digital media, electronic hardware design and installation, music, theater, and worship theology.