Pastoral counseling at IPS is understood as professional therapeutic ministry. This ministry is pursued with a vision of the human person that includes insights from the human sciences as well as religious and spiritual dimensions of life. Often, but not always, pastoral counseling takes place in a setting that reflects a spiritually-oriented environment. The purpose of the M.A. in Pastoral Counseling is to prepare caregivers and counselors for this work.
This degree program prepares pastoral clinicians to provide therapeutic services in faith-based and other contexts. A multidisciplinary curriculum and peer learning groups are among the distinguishing characteristics of this degree.
The Pastoral Counseling (MA) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to start their Graduate studies in their senior year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
Students in this program will find an understanding of pastoral counseling incorporating both the best of psychological theory and the riches of contemporary theology. They will find educational and spiritual approaches that combine both theory and practice. They will discover a vision of the counselor that reflects both individual and relational work, supportive and intensive therapies, psychological competence and theological congruence. And they will find a methodology that is consistently committed to the achievement of personal and professional integration.
In order to meet the current licensure requirements of the state of Illinois (LPC as a base for moving toward LCPC), and to respond to developing nationwide trends toward interstate licensure portability, while continuing to provide the integrative pastoral focus of Loyola’s MA Pastoral Counseling degree, the degree has moved to a three year, 60-hour design.
- LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor
- LCPC = Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
The Master's in Pastoral Counseling program can also be completed half time over four or five years. The half time student's curriculum is determined with their advisor.
The Master's in Pastoral Counseling can be completed entirely online. Students seeking to complete the degree fully online and in three years (as a full-time student) must enroll and begin in a Fall semester.
A diverse number of internship sites are available from non-profits, governmental organizations, schools, counseling, mental health and faith-based sites. Students apply for these internships and are selected by the sites. Students may submit a site of their own choosing, but it must be approved by IPS.
International Students
International students who will study in person in Chicago must enroll and begin the curriculum in a Fall semester.
Additional Information
To learn more about state and international authorization of programs, please refer to our State and International Authorization page. To learn more about the accreditation of Loyola University Chicago and its schools, as well as information about professional licensure, visit our Accreditation page.
The Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago (IPS), is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Board of Commissioners of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to IPS on June 10, 2019.
The Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15275-1110
Telephone: 412-788-6505
The following IPS degree programs are approved by the Commission on Accrediting: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality (Professional MA), Master of Arts in Counseling for Ministry (Professional MA), Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (Professional MA), and the Master of Arts in Social Justice (Professional MA) were also approved, as were our comprehensive online (distance education) programs.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling
In order to meet the current licensure requirements of the state of Illinois (LPC as a base for moving toward LCPC), and to respond to developing nationwide trends toward interstate licensure portability, while continuing to provide the integrative pastoral focus of Loyola’s MA Pastoral Counseling degree, the curriculum is built around a three year, 60 credit hour design.
Part-time students will tailor their course selection with their advisor. International students with a student visa and studying in person must begin the degree in a Fall semester.
- LPC = Licensed Professional Counselor
- LCPC = Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Public Service Leadership (MA) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can begin their first year of Graduate studies in their senior year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| IPS 472 | Pastoral Counseling in an Intercultural Context | 3 |
| IPS 473 | Family Therapy and Personal Transformation | 3 |
| IPS 474 | Addictions & Modes of Therapy | 3 |
| IPS 501 | Advanced Human Relation Skills | 3 |
| IPS 502 | Theology of the Developing Person | 3 |
| IPS 503 | Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| IPS 505 | Group Counseling Approaches | 3 |
| IPS 507 | Pastoral, Psychodynamic Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| IPS 509 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| IPS 511 | Internship Supervision I | 3 |
| IPS 512 | Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality | 3 |
| IPS 513 | Internship Supervision II | 3 |
| IPS 515 | Research Methods | 3 |
| IPS 517 | Models of Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| IPS 518 | Career Counseling for the Pastoral Counselor | 3 |
| IPS 520 | Testing, Measurement & Assessment | 3 |
| IPS 555 | Human Person and Psychological Development | 3 |
| 1 | 9 |
| Total Hours | 60 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Traditional Master's Program
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 501 |
Advanced Human Relation Skills |
3 |
| IPS 517 |
Models of Pastoral Counseling |
3 |
| IPS 473 |
Family Therapy and Personal Transformation |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 502 |
Theology of the Developing Person |
3 |
| IPS 503 |
Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling |
3 |
| IPS 555 |
Human Person and Psychological Development |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Summer |
|---|
| IPS 515 |
Research Methods 1 |
3 |
| | Hours | 3 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 472 |
Pastoral Counseling in an Intercultural Context |
3 |
| IPS 507 |
Pastoral, Psychodynamic Assessment and Intervention |
3 |
| IPS 509 |
Psychopathology |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 518 |
Career Counseling for the Pastoral Counselor 1 |
3 |
| IPS 520 |
Testing, Measurement & Assessment 1 |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Summer |
|---|
| IPS 474 |
Addictions & Modes of Therapy 1 |
3 |
| | Hours | 3 |
| Year 3 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 505 |
Group Counseling Approaches |
3 |
| IPS 511 |
Internship Supervision I |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 512 |
Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality |
3 |
| IPS 513 |
Internship Supervision II |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| | Total Hours | 60 |
Accelerated Master's Pathway
Students can take up to 18 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 501 |
Advanced Human Relation Skills |
3 |
| IPS 517 |
Models of Pastoral Counseling |
3 |
| IPS 473 |
Family Therapy and Personal Transformation |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 502 |
Theology of the Developing Person |
3 |
| IPS 503 |
Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling |
3 |
| IPS 555 |
Human Person and Psychological Development |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Summer |
|---|
| IPS 515 |
Research Methods 1 |
3 |
| | Hours | 3 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 472 |
Pastoral Counseling in an Intercultural Context |
3 |
| IPS 507 |
Pastoral, Psychodynamic Assessment and Intervention |
3 |
| IPS 509 |
Psychopathology |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 518 |
Career Counseling for the Pastoral Counselor 1 |
3 |
| IPS 520 |
Testing, Measurement & Assessment 1 |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Summer |
|---|
| IPS 474 |
Addictions & Modes of Therapy 1 |
3 |
| | Hours | 3 |
| Year 3 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| IPS 505 |
Group Counseling Approaches |
3 |
| IPS 511 |
Internship Supervision I |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| IPS 512 |
Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality |
3 |
| IPS 513 |
Internship Supervision II |
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| | Total Hours | 60 |
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling
By completing the Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, students will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to pastorally and clinically engage human psychological, relational, and contextual distress in therapeutic ways. (Cultural Context)
- The ability to interpret, engage, and expand psycho-spiritual meaning making in relation to the pastoral legacy of faith communities. (Theology /Spirituality/Religious Heritage)
- The ability to offer competent therapeutic services in secular and/or faith-based contexts based on personal, interpersonal, and spiritual maturity. (Maturity/Personal Formation)
- The ability to appropriately assess and diagnose personal and relational life conditions that contribute to human distress and break down, with the skills needed to discern and effectively pastoral engage the identified dilemmas. (Skills/Ministerial Leadership)
