Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking advanced preparation in spiritual leadership and compassionate care, this program equips students with the knowledge and skills to address complex personal, emotional, and relational challenges within faith-based communities. It emphasizes the integration of theological insight, psychological understanding, and ethical practice to support individuals and congregations in times of crisis, transition, and growth.
- Pastoral Care and Counseling: Explores principles and practices for providing empathetic, faith-centered support to individuals and families navigating life’s challenges, including grief, illness, and personal crises.
- Ministry Leadership and Administration: Develops competencies in managing church operations, leading teams, planning programs, and fostering community engagement within diverse religious settings.
- Psychological and Emotional Wellness: Investigates core concepts in human development, mental health, and emotional resilience, with an emphasis on applying this knowledge in a spiritually grounded context.
- Religious and Spiritual Development: Examines the role of faith in personal identity, moral decision-making, and community cohesion, drawing from multiple religious traditions and theological perspectives.
- Ethical and Cultural Competency in Ministry: Addresses the responsibilities of ethical leadership, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive practices when serving diverse populations within religious organizations.
- Specialized Ministry Contexts: Focuses on unique ministry areas such as youth and family ministries, chaplaincy, grief and bereavement support, addiction recovery, and spiritual direction.
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees, including Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other, Directors, Religious Activities and Education and Counselors, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 177,360 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other 21-1099 | $54,940 | $36,470 - $83,210 | 110,390 | $26.41 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 | $54,840 | $33,990 - $106,530 | 21,460 | $26.37 |
| Counselors, All Other 21-1019 | $49,830 | $36,160 - $91,420 | 33,340 | $23.96 |
| Religious Workers, All Other 21-2099 | $45,120 | $29,120 - $75,920 | 12,170 | $21.69 |
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $35,407 in Arkansas to $77,980 in North Dakota—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include North Dakota, Wyoming, and Virginia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 177,360 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 60 institutions offering Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is found at Redeemers University North America (RUNA) (109 graduates), Ozark Christian College (OCC) (74 graduates), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) (65 graduates), Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) (48 graduates), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) (32 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 678 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redeemers University North America (RUNA) |
Other Award
|
109 | Greenville, Texas | Private | rccgnaseminary.org |
| Ozark Christian College (OCC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
74 | Joplin, Missouri | Private | occ.edu |
| The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Other)
|
65 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sbts.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
| New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) |
Doctorate (Research)
Residency
|
32 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | nobts.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
29 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Master's
|
24 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| World Mission University (WMU) |
Master's
|
24 | Los Angeles, California | Private | wmu.edu |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
22 | Wake Forest, North Carolina | Private | sebts.edu |
| George Fox University |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary |
Doctorate (Other)
|
14 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | garrett.edu |
| North Central University (NCU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | northcentral.edu |
| Maranatha Baptist University (Mbbc) |
Associate's
|
13 | Watertown, Wisconsin | Private | mbu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Saint Meinrad School of Theology |
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
|
10 | St. Meinrad, Indiana | Private | saintmeinrad.edu |
| Milligan University |
Master's
|
10 | Milligan, Tennessee | Private | milligan.edu |
| Campbellsville University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Campbellsville, Kentucky | Private | campbellsville.edu |
| Winebrenner Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Master's
|
7 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | winebrenner.edu |
| Nazarene Bible College (NBC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | nbc.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Lancaster Bible College (LBC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | lbc.edu |
| Columbia International University (CIU) |
Master's
|
6 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | ciu.edu |
| Denver Seminary |
Master's
|
5 | Littleton, Colorado | Private | denverseminary.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
5 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) |
Master's
|
4 | Elkhart, Indiana | Private | ambs.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Master's
|
4 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Universidad Teologica del Caribe (UTC) |
Master's
|
4 | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico | Private | utcpr.edu |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Master's
|
3 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| Louisiana Christian University (LCU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Pineville, Louisiana | Private | lcuniversity.edu |
| Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico | Private | mizpa.edu |
| Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America |
Master's
|
3 | Santa Fe Springs, California | Private | ch.ptsa.edu |
| Faulkner University |
Master's
|
2 | Montgomery, Alabama | Private | faulkner.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Lutheran School of Theology (LSTC) |
Doctorate (Other)
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | lstc.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Emmaus Bible College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Dubuque, Iowa | Private | emmaus.edu |
| Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | nts.edu |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University |
Master's
|
2 | Hickory, North Carolina | Private | lr.edu |
| Kairos University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
2 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | kairos.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Valor Christian College |
Associate's
|
2 | Canal Winchester, Ohio | Private | valorcollege.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU Online) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Addison, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Shasta Bible College and Graduate School (SBC&GS) |
Master's
|
1 | Redding, California | Private | shasta.edu |
| Point University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Master's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Other Award
|
1 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| Crown College |
Associate's
|
1 | Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota | Private | crown.edu |
| Malone University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
| Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | wts.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| University of Dallas (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Irving, Texas | Private | udallas.edu |
| Messenger College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bedford, Texas | Private | messengercollege.edu |
| Family of Faith Christian University (FFCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | familyoffaith.edu |
| Brite Divinity School |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | brite.edu |
| Ascent College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Gainesville, Virginia | Private | ascent.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs
How much can I earn with a Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degree?
Salaries for Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries graduates vary by role and location. Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other earn a median of $54,940 annually, while Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn around $54,840. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in North Dakota average $77,980 compared to $35,407 in Arkansas. Approximately 177,360 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs?
Currently 61 accredited institutions offer Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Redeemers University North America (RUNA) (109 graduates), Ozark Christian College (OCC) (74 graduates), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) (65 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 311 in 2010 to 678 in 2023-24. This represents a 118% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, and Counselors, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 177,360 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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