M.A. in Pastoral Counseling – Trauma & Crisis Counseling
Be a Steady Presence When It Matters Most
In moments of crisis, grief, and trauma, ministry leaders who are equipped to respond can make a profound difference. The M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Trauma & Crisis Counseling prepares pastors, chaplains, and ministry professionals to provide calm, compassionate support when individuals and families are at their most vulnerable. Offered entirely online and rooted in a Christian worldview, this non-licensure concentration combines the pastoral counseling core with specialized training in crisis counseling, grief and bereavement, and community care — equipping students to serve on the front lines of human need in churches, nonprofits, and community agencies.
Respond With Confidence in a Crisis
Prepare to provide calm, compassionate support in high-stress situations by strengthening advanced helping skills and crisis-response fundamentals. Focused coursework in community and crisis counseling can equip you to assess needs, stabilize individuals, and connect them to appropriate resources and referrals.
Build Specialized Skills in Grief Care
Develop expertise in grief and bereavement care to help individuals and families process loss with sensitivity, hope, and practical support. From sudden loss to prolonged grief, this concentration prepares you to walk alongside people through some of life’s most difficult seasons.
Serve With Ethical Discernment
Rooted in a Christian worldview, the concentration emphasizes ethical helping practices, discernment, and ministry-ready application. You can learn to recognize the limits of nonprofessional support, make appropriate referrals, and partner effectively with licensed mental health professionals and community agencies.
Expand Your Ministry Reach
Students are prepared for a range of roles in crisis hotlines, disaster relief organizations, hospice support programs, victim services, and community outreach.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling — Trauma & Crisis Counseling degree, you can:
- Provide immediate stabilization, support, and referral for individuals in acute crisis through response teams or faith-based outreach.
- Facilitate grief support groups or individual bereavement care in a church, hospice program, or nonprofit setting.
- Respond to community-level crises and disasters as part of a chaplaincy or faith-based disaster relief organization.
- Advocate for and support survivors of violence, trauma, or loss through community-based victim services.
Career Opportunities
- Crisis Hotline Counselor
- Disaster Spiritual Care Responder
- Grief Support Program Facilitator
- Victim Services Advocate
- Community Outreach or Care Coordinator
| Code | Name | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code: PAC 513 | Issues in Counseling | Credits: 3 | Pragmatic and psycho-spiritual components related to the organization, administration and operation of counseling related services within the context of the local church and other ministry environments. Examines the practical application of ministry-oriented counseling for commonly addressed problems. Addresses various legal, ethical and liability issues, and discusses specific treatment issues. Consideration to thorough assessment and referral functions in each of these areas. Examines the impact of small group ministry. Cross-listed with HSC 513 and MHPS 613. |
| 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 561 | Community & Crisis Counseling | Credits: 3 | Continuation of Models & Strategies with advanced lay counseling intervention strategies, techniques, and care-giving activities. Examines grief and loss, forgiveness, responding to critical incidents and crisis counseling, community trauma and disaster, chaplaincy issues, stress/burnout, and compassion fatigue issues. Presents a multicultural focus relating to intervention strategies and ministry. Cross-listed with HSC 561 and MHPS 761. |
| Code: PAC 565 | Grief & Bereavement | Credits: 3 | A review of the research, theory, and models of grief and bereavement across all phases of the grief process. Exploration of factors that complicate and help with grief will occur. Basic approaches and techniques of competent grief counseling will be covered. Cross-listed with HSC 565. |
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.