Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling is a rigorous academic degree for students who are called to help others in difficult times. The degree combines a theological foundation with the fundamentals of counseling. It offers the graduate the tools needed to minister to the hearts, minds, and souls of people in need. This degree is for students who wish to engage in pastoral care in the church or in other settings such as prisons, hospice, and nursing homes.

What is unique about NBTS’s program:

• Adaptive: Courses are offered as hybrid courses or completely online. 
• Fast Completion: Only 48 credits – students can complete the program in two years.
• Welcoming: Affirming of all persons desiring to study theology and pastoral counseling.
• Innovative: Study with a faculty who offer innovative opportunities for learning and appreciates adult learners.
• Justice Oriented: Attend a school with a heart for God’s people who believe justice is the demand of the Gospel.
• Diverse: Learn with a diverse faculty and student body who will offer a variety of perspectives.
• Academic and Practical: Take courses from professors who combine academic learning with practical skills.
• Vocational Focus: Students use the degree to serve as pastoral counselors in churches, hospitals, prisons, and non-profit organizations.

Admissions Requirements

Application deadlines:
Spring semester – November 30
Fall Semester – May 31
Please click here for detailed deadline information.

Applications received after the deadline will be considered for admission in the following semester.
Each applicant must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an academic record indicating scholarly ability and academic achievement, including an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Official transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate work pursued to date are required*;
• Complete Application Form with $75 non-refundable application/background check fee;
• Two letters of recommendation;
• Complete a statement of purpose following the instructions on the application;
• Students with additional master’s credits may receive transfer credits (see the transfer credit
  policy);
• Provide Photo ID (state issued driver’s license, state identification card or Passport) to verify identity.
• Additionally, International Students
  • • must submit transcripts of undergraduate degree programs that originate from an institution outside the United States or Canada be sent to a professional transcript service for a course-by-course evaluation.
    • Demonstrate their proficiency in English (see English Proficiency Requirements);

*The Admissions Committee requires that all transcripts that originate from an institution outside the United States or Canada be sent to a professional transcript service for a course-by-course evaluation.

*Students at the NY site may need to travel to the NJ campus for some courses

Curriculum

Students will complete the first module before moving to the next.

What is Clinical Pastoral Education?

According to the ACPE, “Clinical Pastoral Education is interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounter with persons in crisis. Out of an intense involvement with persons in need, and the feedback from peers and teachers, students develop new awareness of themselves as persons and of the needs of those to whom they minister. From theological reflection on specific human situations, they gain a new understanding of ministry. Within the interdisciplinary team process of helping persons, they develop skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.” 

CPE is normally set in an institutional environment such as a hospital or nursing home. CPE is done in units and one unit (400 hours) is required for this degree. A unit of CPE can be completed full-time in an intensive format of 10 to 12 weeks. Others are completed over a full academic year (14 hours per week). There are a limited number of online CPE programs, please contact the Office of Field Education for more information.

Learning Outcomes

Click here to see the learning outcomes for this program.