Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
About the Pastoral Counseling MA at Loyola
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MAPC) program at Loyola’s Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) prepares pastoral clinicians to provide therapeutic services in faith-based contexts.
With a multidisciplinary curriculum, peer learning groups, and ample internship opportunities, the pastoral counseling degree positions you to bring mental and emotional healing to others in a way that integrates the best of psychological theory with the richness and spiritual dimensions of contemporary theology.
Program Structure
The pastoral counseling degree is a 60-hour, three-year program that can be pursued full-time or part-time, with part-time students typically completing coursework in four to five years. The program is structured to best meet current licensure requirements of the state of Illinois and respond to developing nationwide trends toward interstate licensure portability.
In-person classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. Courses can be completed fully online, or through a blended delivery option.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Master’s in Pastoral Counseling?
- A spiritually integrated professional therapeutic ministry
- A multidisciplinary curriculum
- An engaging and personalized learning experience
- A nationally respected legacy of excellence
- An expansive range of internship sites
- A learning community that mirrors today’s world
- A flexible and convenient model of delivery
The program offers a robust integration of insights from the human sciences and spiritual and religious dimensions of life, resulting in a deeper and richer preparation.
Our curriculum features an enlightening blend of multidisciplinary courses that provide the essential theoretical foundation in the fundamentals of pastoral counseling along with expertise in areas like addictions, modes of therapy, theology, psychopathology, and many others.
With class sizes that are kept small and engaging peer learning communities, you will enjoy individualized faculty guidance and form meaningful relationships with fellow students.
Founded in 1964, IPS is one of the first institutes of its kind nationwide and has a proud legacy of excellence.
IPS has extensive connections throughout Chicago and beyond, which means you will benefit from internship opportunities at a diverse range of sites, from nonprofits, governmental organizations, and schools to counseling, mental health, and faith-based settings.
You will learn alongside fellow students and faculty who represent a rich diversity of ethnic backgrounds, ages, religious denominations, and spiritual beliefs, enhancing your overall experience and broadening your personal and professional perspective.
You can complete the MAPC fully online, on campus, or through a hybrid delivery model. You also have options for full-time (three years) or part-time (four to five years) study, allowing you to integrate your education in a way that works best for you.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Pastoral Counseling MA program.
Faculty and StaffPastoral Counseling: Career Connections
The MAPC program has a proud history of preparing exceptional pastoral counselors who have gone on to fulfilling positions in a wide range of settings.
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, you’ll have access to our comprehensive array of career advising services, resume assistance, mock interviews, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for clergy and other specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Pastoral Counseling MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Pastoral Counseling MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Pastoral Studies is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and is currently under a Warning pertaining to ATS Standards 2.6-7 on Educational Evaluation.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogPastoral Counseling MA Results and Skills
Upon your successful completion of the MAPC you will have proven your ability to:
- Discover a vision of the counselor that reflects both individual and relational work, supported by intensive therapies, psychological competence, and theological congruence
- Find educational and spiritual approaches that combine both theory and practice
- Find a methodology that is consistently committed to the achievement of personal and professional integration
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Pastoral Counseling MA totals $53100.00, or 60 credit hours at a cost of $885.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid & Scholarships
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Institute of Pastoral Studies offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Pastoral Counseling MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission
Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15
Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Pastoral Counseling MA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:
Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any
The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice
A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study
Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including ministerial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program
Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Pastoral Counseling MA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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Certificate | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus, Online | Fall, Spring, Summer
Many individuals who seek out counseling and therapeutic services feel more comfortable doing so within a faith-based context or in a spiritual setting. This certificate is designed to meet the needs of mental health professionals and religious leaders who want to deliver this counseling ministry to those in need.
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