Master's and Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy

Master's and Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy

MASTER'S DEGREE - Duration: 2 to 3 years | Modality: 100% online | Workload: 1,500 hours

DOCTORATE - Duration: 3 to 5 years | Modality: 100% online | Workload: 2,500 hours

Differences between Master's and Doctoral programs

Master’s students will take Level I courses, while doctoral students will have access to more advanced content at Levels II and III. The Master’s program lasts 2 to 3 years, with a total workload of 1,500 hours, while the Doctoral program lasts 3 to 5 years, requiring a workload of 2,500 hours. Both courses are offered 100% online, providing flexibility and accessibility for students in their academic journey.

Course Presentation

The Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy program offers advanced training that integrates theological and psychological knowledge to develop skills in counseling and pastoral care in diverse contexts. The course combines theory, research, and supervised practice, training researchers and professionals capable of providing qualified and theologically grounded pastoral care.

General Objectives

To train researchers with a solid theological and psychological understanding of pastoral counseling, to develop competencies for pastoral care in diverse contexts, to enable the integration of theory and practice in counseling, and to contribute to the dialogue between theology, psychology, and other care sciences.

Course Program

1st Semester

  • Scientific Methodology
  • Biblical and Theological Foundations of Care
  • Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
  • Human Development and Spirituality
  • Theological Deepening I
  • Training of Pastors and Religious Leaders I

2nd Semester

  • Pastoral Counseling: Models and Approaches
  • Fundamentals of Theology
  • Chaplaincy in Healthcare Contexts
  • Family and Systemic Counseling
  • Theological Deepening II
  • Training of Pastors and Religious Leaders II

3rd Semestre

  • Grief, Loss, and Healing Processes
  • Counseling in Crisis and Trauma Situations
  • Ethics in Counseling
  • Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy
  • Supervised Practice in Counseling and Chaplaincy
  • Theological Deepening III

4th Semester

  • Dissertation/Thesis Guidance and Preparation

Additional Courses for the Doctorate (5th and 6th Semesters)

  • In-depth Study in Hospital Chaplaincy
  • Prison Chaplaincy
  • Research Seminar in Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy
  • Supervision and Training in Pastoral Counseling
  • Training of Pastors and Religious Leaders III
  • Thesis Guidance and Preparation

The Advanced Theological Studies courses, taught weekly in a live format, will provide case studies in counseling, supervision of practices, and the development of contextualized approaches to pastoral care. These live sessions will also allow for the development of relational skills and the integration of theory and practice in counseling.

Training for Pastors and Religious Leaders (I, II and III)

The Advanced Theological Studies courses, taught weekly in a live format, will provide case studies in counseling, supervision of practices, and the development of contextualized approaches to pastoral care. These live sessions will also allow for the development of relational skills and the integration of theory and practice in counseling.

The Advanced Theological Studies courses, taught weekly in a live format, will provide case studies in counseling, supervision of practices, and the development of contextualized approaches to pastoral care. These live sessions will also allow for the development of relational skills and the integration of theory and practice in counseling.