Pastoral Counseling (M.A.) - Dobson Center Marriage & Family Studies
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PACO 500 | Introduction to Pastoral Counseling 1 | 3 |
| PACO 501 | Foundational Doctrines for Pastoral Counselors 1 | 3 |
| PACO 504 | Multicultural Issues in Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| PACO 509 | Spiritual Formation in Pastoral Counseling 2 | 3 |
| PACO 604 | Crisis Intervention in Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| PACO 615 | Marriage and Family Counseling | 3 |
| PACO 617 | Theories and Techniques in Pastoral Counseling 2 | 3 |
| PACO 699 | Pastoral Counseling Internship 3,4 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- 1
PACO 500 and PACO 501 are required first entry courses for all students in this degree
- 2
Intensive format optional
- 3
May register for PACO 699 after successfully completing 21 hours
- 4
Background check clearance required
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dobson Center Marriage & Family Studies Cognate | ||
| DBMF 600 | Counseling Children and Adolescents: Issues and Strategies | 3 |
| DBMF 605 | Parenting and Child Discipline Strategies: Raising Healthy Kids | 3 |
| DBMF 610 | Marriage and Family Systems: Foundations, Models and Techniques | 3 |
| DBPC 620 | Healthy Sexuality: Biblical and Developmental Factors | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 36 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 2.5 GPA
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Liberty University course work that is more than 10 years old may not be applied towards this degree. Students are required to repeat the course if it has exceeded the age limit
- Degree must be completed within 5 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PACO 500 | Introduction to Pastoral Counseling 1 | 3 |
| PACO 501 | Foundational Doctrines for Pastoral Counselors 1 | 3 |
| PACO 504 | Multicultural Issues in Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PACO 604 | Crisis Intervention in Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| PACO 615 | Marriage and Family Counseling | 3 |
| DBMF 600 | Counseling Children and Adolescents: Issues and Strategies | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PACO 509 | Spiritual Formation in Pastoral Counseling 2 | 3 |
| PACO 617 | Theories and Techniques in Pastoral Counseling 2 | 3 |
| DBMF 605 | Parenting and Child Discipline Strategies: Raising Healthy Kids | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PACO 699 | Pastoral Counseling Internship 3,4 | 3 |
| DBMF 610 | Marriage and Family Systems: Foundations, Models and Techniques | 3 |
| DBPC 620 | Healthy Sexuality: Biblical and Developmental Factors | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
PACO 500 and 501 are required first entry courses for all students in this degree
- 2
Intensive Format Optional
- 3
May register for PACO 699 after successfully completing 21 hours
- 4
Background check clearance required