M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Marriage & Family Ministry
Strengthen Families Through Faith-Centered Counseling
Marriages and families are at the heart of the communities that ministry leaders serve. The M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Marriage & Family Ministry equips pastors, ministry leaders, and helping professionals with biblically grounded counseling tools to support couples and families at every stage of life. Offered entirely online and rooted in a Christian worldview, this non-licensure concentration combines the pastoral counseling core with specialized training in marriage and relationship counseling, family systems, and child and adolescent development — helping prepare graduates to serve as skilled, compassionate helpers in churches, nonprofits, and community settings.
Strengthen Relationships with Biblical Tools
This program empowers students to support couples — married or unmarried — and families in a ministry context, strengthening relationships and family life with biblically grounded counseling tools. From premarital counseling to marriage enrichment and support for divorce and remarriage, you can develop a practical, faith-informed foundation for the full range of relationship ministry.
Understanding Families as Systems
Apply family systems concepts to better understand patterns across generations and to strengthen communication and healthy functioning within the family unit. This concentration prepares you to see the family holistically — and to intervene thoughtfully when dynamics are breaking down.
Support Children & Adolescents in Context
Prepare to effectively support children and adolescents within the broader family system by integrating developmentally informed, culturally aware counseling strategies. Learn to address parenting, blended families, and the unique challenges facing young people in church and community settings.
Specialize Your Ministry Preparation
Focus your training on marriage and family as a specific area of expertise. Students can continue their education and gain additional credentialing to become recognized practitioners in their concentration — and may become more marketable in settings outside Christian organizations and churches.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Marriage & Family Ministry degree, you can:
- Provide premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, and support for couples navigating discord in a ministry context.
- Use developmentally appropriate strategies to counsel children and adolescents individually and within family settings.
- Lead or develop marriage and family programming in a local church or nonprofit.
- Serve as a referral resource and collaborative partner alongside licensed mental health professionals.
Career Opportunities
- Marriage Coach
- Parenting Instructor or Family Life Educator
- Marriage & Family Ministry Director
- Children & Family Program Director
- Family Services Case Manager
| 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 544 | Marriage & Relationship Counseling | Credits: 3 | Overview of marriage and adult relationships. Analysis of one’s own marriage and/or family of origin will facilitate deeper understanding. Examine systems theory, life span, and issues associated with marriage counseling such as premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, sexuality, and divorce/remarriage. Presents a multicultural focus pertaining to marriage, adult relationships and ministry. Cross-listed with MHPS 624 and HSC 544. |
| Code: PAC 545 | Concepts of Family Systems | Credits: 3 | Explores family systems and related relational dynamics to understand problems and interventions aimed at addressing the family unit from a treatment perspective. Presents a multicultural/diversity focus as it relates to families. |
| Code: PAC 546 | Counseling Children & Adolescents | Credits: 3 | Overview of various child, adolescent, and parental relationships and the theological considerations in addressing these relationships. Examines developmentally appropriate approaches and effective strategies for counseling children and adolescents in both individual and group settings, as well as topics relating to systems theory, the family life cycle, parenting, blended families, and resources to aid the family. Relevant ethical and legal considerations also discussed. Presents a multicultural focus as it pertains to children, adolescents, and ministry. |
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.