<h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfProgramIsIt">What Kind of Program Is It?</h3> <p>The curriculum of Liberty University's Master of Arts in Religion with a Pastoral Counseling cognate program is designed to combine an education in biblical studies and theology with coursework in counseling theories and methods. This entire program is presented online. Cognate courses are intended to provide study in counseling ministry, biblical teachings, theology and psychology integration methods, Christian counseling theories, and approaches to marriage and premarital counseling. The core curriculum is designed to help you attain a deeper understanding of Old and New Testament writings, theology, biblical interpretations, evangelism, spiritual teaching, and Christian leadership. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisites">What Are the Prerequisites?</h3> <p>Students who are interested in applying to Liberty University's Master of Arts in Religion with a Pastoral Counseling cognate program must have already earned their high school diploma or GED. Before enrolling in this program, you should have a bachelor's degree, perhaps in religion or psychology, and possibly have current experience in a church. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCourseRequirements">What Are the Course Requirements?</h3> <p>You must earn 60 credits to successfully complete the Master of Arts in Religion with a Pastoral Counseling cognate program. A total of 48 of those credits are taken in the core curriculum, with the remaining 12 completed in cognate courses. </p> <p><u>Courses for a Master of Arts in Religion with a Pastoral Counseling cognate</u> </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Course Number</th><th>Course Title</th></tr> <tr><td><b>Core Courses</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>APOL 500</td><td> Introduction to Apologetics</td></tr> <tr><td>CHHI 520</td><td> History of Christianity I</td></tr> <tr><td>CHHI 530</td><td> History of Christianity II</td></tr> <tr><td>CLED 510</td><td> Biblical Foundations of Christian Leadership</td></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 500</td><td> Discipleship Ministries</td></tr> <tr><td>DSMN 601</td><td> Ministry of Teaching</td></tr> <tr><td>EVAN 565</td><td> Contemporary Evangelism</td></tr> <tr><td>GLST 500</td><td> Global Studies Survey</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 521</td><td> New Testament Orientation I</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 522</td><td> New Testament Orientation II</td></tr> <tr><td>NBST 652</td><td> Hermeneutics</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST 591</td><td> Old Testament Orientation I</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST 592</td><td> Old Testament Orientation II</td></tr> <tr><td>OBST 591</td><td> Old Testament Orientation I</td></tr> <tr><td>PLED 520</td><td> Spiritual Formation</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><b>Pastoral Counseling Cognate</b></td><td /></tr> <tr><td>PACO 500</td><td> Introduction to Pastoral Counseling</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 506</td><td> Integration of Psychology and Theology</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 507</td><td> Theology and Spirituality Counseling</td></tr> <tr><td>PACO 603</td><td> Premarital and Marital Counseling</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIDoAfterIGraduate">What Could I Do After I Graduate?</h3> <h4 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h4> <p>As a graduate of Liberty University's Master of Arts in Religion with a Pastoral Counseling cognate program, you could pursue directorial or lead opportunities in church or other professional settings. You could seek to oversee services and programs provided in churches, youth centers, community centers, hospices, long-term care facilities, or rescue missions. </p> <p>Positions you might pursue include: </p> <ul><li>Hospice Chaplain </li><li>Youth Pastor </li><li>Pastoral Counseling Director </li><li>Lead Spiritual Care Counselor</li></ul>