Are you seeking an education that focuses on the core values of Christian faith and principles that are designed to prepare you for a career as a pastor or pastoral counselor? If so, then you might consider becoming a student of Liberty University's Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate program. If you wish to learn more about this online graduate degree program, read on.

    <h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfProgramIsIt">What Kind of Program Is It?</h3> <p>Once you have enrolled in Liberty University's Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate program, you will have the opportunity to study diverse topics in theology, evangelism, Christianity, and counseling. This program is presented in an online format, with some courses offering a combination of instruction and practical exercises in sermon preparation and delivery. In the cognate area of study, you will select from courses addressing pastoral leadership methods, historically great preachers and sermons, church administration, pre-marital and marital counseling, Christian counseling theories, and Old and New Testament sermon preparation. In foundational and professional courses, you will have the chance to study the history of Christianity, evangelism, world missions, spiritual development, disciple-making systems, and systematic theology. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisites">What Are the Prerequisites?</h3> <p>Students who are interested in applying to Liberty University's Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate program must have already earned their high school diploma or GED. A bachelor's degree is also required for this graduate degree program. In addition, you should have strong Christian beliefs as well as strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCourseRequirements">What Are the Course Requirements?</h3> <p>Students of the Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate program at Liberty University must complete 93 credits to earn this degree. This credit total reflects 36 credits in foundational coursework, 27 credits in professional studies, 18 credits in Old Testament and New Testament language studies, and 12 credits in cognate courses. </p> <p><u>Courses for a Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate</u> </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Course Number</th><th>Course Title</th></tr> <tr><td><b>Foundational Studies</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>CHHI 520</td><td> History of Christianity I</td></tr> <tr><td>CHHI 525</td><td> History of Christianity II</td></tr> <tr><td>CHHI 694</td><td> History of Baptists</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 521</td><td> New Testament Orient I</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 522</td><td> New Testament Orient II</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 652</td><td> Hermeneutics</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST 591</td><td> Old Testament Orient I</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST 592</td><td> Old Testament Orient II</td></tr> <tr><td>THEO 525</td><td> Systematic Theology I</td></tr> <tr><td>THEO 530</td><td> Systematic Theology II</td></tr> <tr><td>APOL/THEO Electives</td><td> Select Two</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Professional Studies</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 500</td><td> Discipleship Ministries</td></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 565</td><td> Contemporary Evangelism</td></tr> <tr><td>HOMI 501</td><td> Preparation of the Sermon</td></tr> <tr><td>PLED 520</td><td> Spiritual Formation</td></tr> <tr><td>PLED 625</td><td> Ministry Matters</td></tr> <tr><td>Select one of the following:</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>ICST 500</td><td> World Missions</td></tr> <tr><td>ICST 650</td><td> Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Church Planting</td></tr> <tr><td>Select one of the following:</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 505</td><td> Church Administration</td></tr> <tr><td>PLED 635</td><td> Theology of Pastoral Ministry</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 500</td><td> Pastoral Counseling</td></tr> <tr><td>Select one of the following:</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 510</td><td> Church Growth II</td></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 550</td><td> Church Planting</td></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 670</td><td> Spiritual Warfare</td></tr> <tr><td>ICST 650</td><td> Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Church Planting</td></tr> <tr><td>Select one of the following:</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>CLED 510</td><td> Biblical Foundations of Leadership</td></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 660</td><td> Leading a Healthy Church</td></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 605</td><td> Christian Leadership</td></tr> <tr><td><b>NT Language Courses</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>Greek Track</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>NGRK 620</td><td> Greek Syntax</td></tr> <tr><td>NGRK Exegesis Elective</td><td> Select One 600-Level Course</td></tr> <tr><td>NGRK Elective</td><td> Select One 600-Level Course</td></tr> <tr><td>OR</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>English Bible Track</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>NGRK 506</td><td> Greek Language Tools</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST/NGRK Electives</td><td> Select Two 500-600-Level Courses</td></tr> <tr><td><b>OT Language Courses</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>Hebrew Track</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>OTCL 510</td><td> Beginning Hebrew</td></tr> <tr><td>OTCL 530</td><td> Hebrew Syntax</td></tr> <tr><td>OTCL 635</td><td> Hebrew Exegesis</td></tr> <tr><td>OR</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>English Bible Track</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>OTCL 505</td><td> Hebrew Language Tools</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST/OTCL Electives</td><td> Select Two 500-600-Level Courses</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Pastoral Ministries Cognate Courses</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>Select four of the following not already taken:</td><td /></tr> <tr><td>PLED 635</td><td> Theology of Pastoral Ministry</td></tr> <tr><td>HOMI 521, 522, 591</td><td> Preaching Labs</td></tr> <tr><td>HOMI 610</td><td> Great Preachers</td></tr> <tr><td>HOMI 612</td><td> Evangelistic Preaching</td></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 505</td><td> Church Ministries</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 500</td><td> Pastoral Counseling</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 507</td><td> Theology and Spirituality in Counseling</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 603</td><td> Premarital and Martial Counseling</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIDoAfterIGraduate">What Could I Do After I Graduate?</h3> <h4 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h4> <p>After completing Liberty University's Master of Divinity with a Pastoral Ministries cognate program, you could be able to pursue pastoral or possibly counseling responsibilities in churches and other professional settings. In addition, you could seek directorial or managerial positions in hospices, hospitals, community centers, military establishments, nonprofit organizations, or prisons. </p> <p>Positions you could pursue include: </p> <ul><li>Chaplain </li><li>Senior Pastor </li><li>Youth Ministry Director </li><li>Pastoral Care Manager</li></ul>