M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Addictions Counseling
Walk Alongside Others on the Road to Recovery
The M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Addictions Counseling is designed to equip pastors, ministry leaders, and helping professionals with the biblically grounded counseling tools needed to walk alongside people struggling with substance abuse, process addictions, and related behavioral challenges. Offered entirely online and rooted in a Christian worldview, this non-licensure concentration builds on the pastoral counseling core to prepare graduates for roles in recovery ministry, behavioral health, peer support, and crisis intervention — all while remaining grounded in the faith and values that drew them to ministry.
Meet A Critical Need in Your Community
Clergy and ministry professionals are often the first line of support for congregants confronting addiction. Equip yourself with the knowledge and practical tools to respond with competence and compassion.
Expand Your Career Path
Whether you serve in a church or a faith-based nonprofit, this concentration can prepare you for meaningful work across a wide range of ministry and community environments.
Combine Faith & Practice
All courses are taught from a Christian worldview by highly trained faculty, integrating biblical principles with evidence-informed approaches to addictions counseling. The concentration draws on Christian psychology, mental health counseling, and clinical pastoral education.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Addictions Counseling degree, you can:
- Apply assessment, intervention, and treatment planning skills to support individuals and families affected by substance use and process addictions.
- Facilitate or lead a recovery or addiction ministry in a church, parachurch, or community setting.
- Provide peer support, recovery coaching, or case management.
- Respond to addiction-related crises as part of a hotline, crisis team, or faith-based outreach program.
- Pursue the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential in states that do not require a state-issued license.
Career Opportunities
- Addictions Ministry Leader or Director
- Recovery Coach or Peer Support Specialist
- Case Manager in Behavioral Health or Human Services
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
| Code | Name | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code: PAC 525 | Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques | Credits: 3 | Builds on foundational helping skills with advanced techniques for pastoral counselors. Focuses on deepening reflective listening, case conceptualization, and intervention strategies across a range of presenting concerns encountered in ministry and helping contexts. |
| Code: PAC 535 | Addictive Behaviors & Substance Abuse | Credits: 3 | Explores issues related to addictive disorders in individuals and families from assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and interventions throughout the stages of misuse, abuse and dependency. Students gain a basic understanding of the skills and concepts needed for working in the area of substance abuse. Cross-listed with HSC 535. |
| Code: PAC 572 | Addiction Intervention | Credits: 3 | Helps students gain an understanding of spirituality, substance use, and faith-based interventions. An overview of foundational applications of assessment and intervention is presented. Presents a multicultural focus as it relates to addiction. Cross-listed with MHPS 672 and HSC 572. |
| Code: PAC 574 | Process Addictions | Credits: 3 | Presents a basic understanding of process addictions (food, sex, gambling, etc.), from psychological to physiological aspects. Explores components of an addictive cycle, spiritual components, treatment options, and community supports. Presents a multicultural focus as it relates to process addiction. Cross-listed with MHPS 674 and HSC 574. |
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
The M.A. in Pastoral Counseling is also available with the following concentrations:
2026-27 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 14 | Monday, August 24 |
| Session M | Friday, September 11 | Monday, September 21 |
| Session B | Friday, October 16 | Monday, October 26 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 6 | Monday, January 11 |
| Session T | Friday, January 29 | Monday, February 8 |
| Session D | Friday, March 5 | Monday, March 15 |
| Session E | Friday, April 30 | Monday, May 10 |
| Session F | Friday, June 11 | Monday, June 21 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 3 | $2,085 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | $995 | 6 | $5,970 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $1,079 | 12 | $12,948 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 3 | $2,085 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | $995 | 6 | $5,970 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $1,025 | 12 | $12,300 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.