What Will You Study in the Online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development Program?

Our parenting and child/adolescent studies degree features lectures from family expert Dr. James C. Dobson which can equip you with the knowledge and training to positively impact families and communities.

You will study the important foundational subjects of:

• How family issues and environmental factors affect child development
• The development of personhood from childhood to adulthood
• Premarital and marital counseling theories
• Counseling adolescents through transitional stages in life
• Human growth and lifespan development

You will also be able to choose individual child counseling issues courses such as Childhood Trauma and Healthy Sexuality. Because this degree program can be completed online, you can stay involved with your family, job, church, and community while you earn your master’s degree! 

Potential Career Options with a Degree in Pastoral Counseling

Students who complete a degree in Christian counseling like the online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling can be equipped for ministry-based, non-licensure counseling roles in many areas including marriage and family counseling, addiction counseling, and counseling women. Graduates of the parenting and child/adolescent development track can be equipped for specialized parent counseling and family therapy ministry.

• Associate pastor
• Caseworker
• Child advocate
• Church counselor
• Family therapist
• Outpatient care counselor

Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Program Highlights

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe World Theology University stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar virtual campus – ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College virtual campus in America for 2026 – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online MA in Pastoral Counseling degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, World Theology University has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. 
• Your ministry matters – so when you take 9-15 credit hours per semester in your divinity program, you’ll pay a discounted block rate of $2,850. It’s our way of supporting all you do to serve others.

Military Benefits for the Online M.A. in Pastoral Counseling

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. World Theology University’s military benefits are available to:

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses.
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course).
• Discounted Divinity Block Rate: $2,575 per semester when taking 9-15 credits – only $172/credit at 15 credit hours!*
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences).

*Credits taken above 15 credit hours for the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling degree program are charged at the part-time rate.