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Master of Arts in

Pastoral Care Studies

Care That Meets People Where They Are

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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

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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.

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Coursework

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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
BSG 5510 Fundamentals of Biblical Interpretation 2 hours
CTH 5510 Fundamentals of Christian Theology 2 hours

Pastoral Care Studies – Core Courses
PCS 5530 Pastoral Care Studies 3 hours
 PCS 5511 Lifespan Human Development 3 hours
 PCS 5520 Person in Ministry 3 hours
 PCS 5525 Special Issues in Pastoral Care 3 hours
 PCS 7761 Small Groups as Context for Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care 3 hours
 PCS 7726 Healing the Stories That We Live By 3 hours

Advanced Pastoral Care
PCS 7721 Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis and Trauma 3 hours

Elective Courses
CRE 5501 Forming the People of God 3 hours
 CLD 6630 Leading the People of God 3 hours
 PCS 6653 Chronic Illness, Dying, and Grieving 3 hours

Field Experience
FLD 6611 Field Experience I 1 hour
 FLD 6612 Field Experience II 1 hour
 FLD 6614 Field Experience Capstone 1 hour

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.

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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.

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Hear from Pastoral Care Students

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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.

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.

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Request More Information

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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.

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