Menu

Master of Arts in

Pastoral Care Studies

Care That Meets People Where They Are

gradient line

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies is a 37-credit-hour degree designed to be completed in approximately two years. Beginning in fall 2026, the program is delivered through an online cohort model with periodic cohort gatherings and seminars that support working ministry leaders while fostering meaningful formation and community.

When people face crisis, loss or deep uncertainty, they often turn first to someone they trust. Pastors, chaplains and caregivers are called to enter those moments with presence, wisdom and compassion. The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies prepares you to walk alongside individuals and communities through seasons of trauma, transition and healing, grounded in Christian faith and informed by counseling principles.

This program is designed for those called to serve in faith-based care settings where spiritual, emotional and relational needs intersect. Through intentional formation and practical experience, you will learn how to offer care that is attentive, ethical and deeply human.

What to Expect

gradient line

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies is a non-clinical, non-licensure degree designed for those called to provide spiritually grounded care in ministry and faith-based settings. While this program does not prepare students for professional counseling licensure, it offers rigorous theological, formational and pastoral training rooted in Christian tradition.

Through this program, students develop the skills and presence needed to walk alongside individuals and communities through seasons of grief, trauma, illness and transition. The curriculum is intentionally structured to emphasize pastoral presence, spiritual formation and holistic care rather than clinical diagnosis or state-regulated counseling practice.

Together with faculty and peers, students grow in discernment, relational wisdom and ethical responsibility, preparing them to serve faithfully in ministry-based caregiving roles.

Students progress through the program together as part of a cohort, allowing for shared learning, sustained relationships and deeper formation over the course of the degree. The program begins in fall 2026 and is structured to support working ministry leaders through a primarily online format combined with intentional cohort gatherings and seminars that deepen learning and community.

Request Information

Coursework

gradient line

37 Credit Hours

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies equips students to provide theologically grounded, spiritually integrated, non-clinical pastoral care to individuals, families and communities. Designed for pastors, chaplains, ministry leaders and lay caregivers, the program emphasizes soul care, spiritual formation and pastoral presence rooted in scripture, theology and the Christian tradition.

This degree prepares students for ministry-based caregiving roles and does not lead to professional counseling licensure.

Having completed the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical and faithful interpretation and responsible use of scripture in appropriate ministry settings.
  2. Establish communal and personal disciplines that nourish Christian spiritual and moral formation.
  3. Demonstrate critical theological reflection that is biblically faithful, historically grounded, contextually relevant and integrated with life and ministry.
  4. Exhibit effective ministry skill sets related to personal care.

Courses are delivered primarily through an in-person, cohort-based format, with select hybrid or intensive options designed to support working ministry leaders and integrate learning with life and ministry.

Core Biblical & Theological Foundations (4 Hours)
BSG 5510 Fundamentals of Biblical Interpretation (2)
CTH 5510 Fundamentals of Christian Theology (2)

Pastoral Care Studies Courses - Year One F2F Cohort Model (16 Hours)
Fall Semester
PCS 5530 Pastoral Care Studies (3)
 PCS 5511 Lifespan Human Development (3)
PCS 7761 Small Groups as Context for Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care 1 (2)

Spring Semester
 PCS 5525 Special Issues in Pastoral Care (3)
PCS 5520 Well Being in Ministry (3)
 PCS 7762 Small Groups as Context for Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care 2 (3)

Advanced Pastoral Care (8 Hours)
PCS 7721 Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis and Trauma (3)
PCS 7725 Interpersonal Neurobiology (3)
PCS 7726 Healing the Stories That We Live By (2)

Electives (6 Hours)
CRE 5501 Forming the People of God (3)
 CLD 6630 Leading the People of God (3)
 PCS 6653 Chronic Illness, Dying, and Grieving (3)
PCS 6657 Marriage, Family, and Relational Issues (3)
PCS 7728 Care of Soul/Formational Prayer (3)
PCS 6680 Introduction to Spiritual Direction (3)

Field Experience (3 hours)
FLD 6611 Field Experience (3)

Total Hours: 37 hours

Study with scholars who have decades of real-world ministry experience. Our faculty are called to train faithful followers for effective ministry and are personally invested in you.

Meet Your Professors

Step Into Your Calling

Prepare to serve others with wisdom, presence and compassion. The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies provides faith-based formation and pastoral training for ministry-centered caregiving and chaplaincy roles.

Request Information
Apply Now

Hear from Pastoral Care Students

gradient line
Rich Hoffman

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2019 Graduate

I had no idea how much I would enjoy the curriculum and love the students and faculty. The deep personal connections I formed created a safe place to learn about myself while learning how to help others. Ashland Theological Seminary provided the right combination of academic and spiritual teaching for me to stay humble and have confidence in helping others.

Elizabeth Shold

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2007 Graduate

When I enrolled, I knew Ashland Theological Seminary would prepare me to pass my Ohio licensure test and find a job as a counselor. What I wasn’t expecting were all the other benefits: personal and professional connections, job opportunities, a deeper faith, and a transformational journey of self-discovery. Attending here wasn’t only an investment in my career, it was an investment in myself and my spiritual life.

Mindy Jonelle Wise Nielsen

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2012 Graduate

Ashland Theological Seminary gave me the opportunity to respond to God’s call in my life and exercise and enjoy the art of biblical integration.

gradient line
Hear from Rev. Amy F. Davis Abdallah, Ph.D., Hollowell Chair and Practical Theology Department Chair, on the Pastoral Care Studies Master of Arts

Theological Education You Can Afford

One of your main concerns with theological education may be the costs involved. Financial aid and scholarships may be available to help cover the cost of your seminary program and ensure you can access the ministry preparation you need.

Learn More

Request More Information

gradient line

We’re here to support you as you discern God’s call on your life. When you complete this form, a member of our team will reach out to share more about the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care Studies and help you explore whether this program is the right fit for your ministry goals.

Loading...