You can care for those who are hurting in a meaningful way from a Christ-centered perspective. Pursue an interdisciplinary ministerial program designed to prepare IWU students to counsel and care for those in need and provides immediate career opportunities in pastoral ministry upon graduation. For those seeking to be licensed counselors or chaplains, the Pastoral Counseling and Care degree also provides preparation for graduate studies.

Students in this program will:

• Acquire pastoral counseling and care skills that will prepare them to meet the needs of a hurting world
• Gain ministry skills needed for professional pastoral ministry; or prison, hospice, hospital, or shelter chaplaincy
• Take life-changing courses like Hope and Suffering, Spiritual Vibrancy throughout Life, Developmental Psychology, and Counseling and Care

The Pastoral Counseling and Care program can be completed in just three years. Students can enhance their learning experience by pairing this degree with other academic programs such as: 

• Pastoral Ministries major (for students seeking ordination and/or desiring to participate in the Kern Mentoring Program)
• Psychology minor (for students who want to pursuing licensed counseling)
• Human Trafficking Studies certificate

Students who double-major in Pastoral Counseling and Care and Pastoral Ministries can also meet most, if not all, ordination requirements, as well as participate in the Kern Ministries program. 

The Kern Mentoring Program allows for students to receive an undergraduate ministry degree in three years and a Master of Practical Theology in two years, completing two degrees in five years.

Faculty

At IWU, the faculty in the School of Theology and Ministry are experience and innovative. They seek to equip ministry professionals for leadership in ministering and counseling from a biblical foundation. All faculty members who teach this major have extensive practical ministry experience as well as graduate degrees in their areas of expertise.

Career Paths

Pastoral Care
Teaching Pastor
Family Service Centers
Chaplain (U.S. Military)
Spiritual Caregiver

Search more jobs for this degree.

Courses

One of the best ways to discover a degree program is to check out the course listings. Soon you will be able to preview the courses for Pastoral Counseling and Care at Indiana Wesleyan University using the course catalog.