Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling Degree
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling, both in our hybrid flex and fully online format, is designed to educate and train compassionate and self-reflective pastoral caregivers. The program seeks to integrate spirituality and psychology and offer a holistic approach to healing and restoration. Students will learn to develop and sharpen listening skills, assess needs, effectively intervene to assist in spiritual, emotional, and psychological growth and healing. Specifically, the curriculum focuses on mental health issues, such as trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, suicide, grief and loss, personality disorders, and family violence.
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care & Counseling Program
Program Requirements
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care & Counseling degree program is open to women and men who:
- possess a BA, BS, or equivalent undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college (applicants holding degrees or diplomas from another country may be required to provide a translated copy and to provide further information to help the admissions committee determine equivalency).
- demonstrate evidence of an ability to do graduate level study, primarily assessed through the written answers to the application essay questions and through recommendations.
- are able to articulate in a manner that is appropriate to their own experience and faith tradition an understanding of their call to serve in the specialized area of pastoral care and counseling.
- currently belong to a community of faith that recognizes or expects the applicant to exercise his or her calling to pastoral care and counseling; or be willing to work within such a community of faith, exercising her or his calling to pastoral care and counseling.
Buddhist Track
In Partnership with New York Zen Center of Contemplative Care (NYZCCC)
NYTS and the NYZCCC collaborate to offer a Buddhist track in the MAPCC degree program. Candidates in the Buddhist track must successfully complete 18 credits of study in Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist history, and Buddhist philosophy offered through courses available at NYZCCC in order to meet the established requirements for biblical, historical, and theological studies in the MAPCC degree. The 18 remaining credits are taken through courses offered at NYTS.