Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other.

Degree Overview

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other (CIP 39.0799) is a faith-integrated field focused on providing emotional, spiritual, and relational support within religious and ministry contexts. This classification includes flexible or specialized programs that prepare individuals to serve others through counseling-informed ministry, care-focused leadership, and targeted outreach roles. Rather than functioning as licensed clinical counseling programs, these degrees emphasize pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and holistic support grounded in faith traditions.

For a degree search site, this CIP code represents a growing need within faith communities and service organizations. People increasingly seek support that integrates emotional well-being, life challenges, and spiritual meaning. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries appeals to students who feel called to walk alongside others during times of crisis, transition, grief, or growth—and who want to combine counseling skills, ministry practice, and compassionate leadership in a service-oriented vocation.

What Is a Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Degree?

A Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degree is an applied theological program that blends foundational counseling principles with ministry training. Programs under the “Other” designation typically support customized or niche ministry tracks such as:

• Pastoral counseling foundations
• Care and support ministries
• Crisis, grief, or trauma-informed ministry
• Family, marriage, or youth support ministries
• Recovery, chaplaincy foundations, or specialized outreach

Unlike licensed mental health counseling programs, this degree focuses on spiritual care, pastoral presence, and counseling-informed ministry rather than clinical diagnosis or treatment. Graduates are trained to support individuals within ethical boundaries and to refer clients to licensed professionals when appropriate.

Institutions—often faith-based colleges, universities, and seminaries—offer this degree to:

• Prepare caregivers and leaders for supportive ministry roles
• Equip students with counseling-informed pastoral skills
• Strengthen care ministries within congregations and organizations
• Provide a foundation for graduate study in counseling, chaplaincy, or ministry

This degree is especially relevant in congregations, nonprofits, and community-based faith organizations.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual dimensions intersect in human experience. You’ll study how to offer care, guidance, and support while maintaining ethical standards, cultural sensitivity, and personal boundaries.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Pastoral counseling foundations—listening, empathy, and support
• Spiritual care and guidance—addressing faith and meaning
• Crisis and grief support—responding to loss and trauma
• Ethical decision-making—confidentiality, boundaries, and referrals
• Interpersonal communication—building trust and rapport
• Assessment and referral skills—recognizing when professional care is needed
• Care ministry leadership—developing support programs
• Self-awareness and caregiver resilience—preventing burnout

These skills emphasize compassion, responsibility, and emotional intelligence.

Topics You May Explore

Because this is a flexible “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution and focus area, but commonly includes:

• Foundations of Pastoral Counseling: theory and practice
• Counseling Skills and Helping Relationships: listening and support techniques
• Psychology for Ministry: human behavior and emotional health
• Marriage and Family Ministry: relational dynamics and support
• Grief, Loss, and Crisis Care: pastoral responses to trauma
• Ethics and Boundaries in Ministry: professional responsibility
• Spiritual Formation and Care: faith, prayer, and guidance
• Specialized or Contextual Ministries: addiction recovery, hospital, or community care
• Referral and Collaboration: working with mental health professionals

Many programs include supervised ministry experience or practicums.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries degree prepares students for supportive, care-focused roles within faith-based and service organizations. Licensure requirements vary, and this degree alone does not qualify graduates as licensed mental health counselors.

Common career paths include:

• Pastoral Counselor (Non-Licensed): providing spiritual and emotional support
• Care or Counseling Ministry Leader: overseeing congregational care programs
• Chaplain (Foundational Path): healthcare, military, or institutional settings
• Grief or Care Support Coordinator: leading support groups
• Marriage or Family Ministry Assistant: relationship-focused ministry roles
• Youth or Campus Care Minister: supporting students’ well-being
• Nonprofit or Faith-Based Care Worker: service-oriented support roles
• Graduate or Licensure Path: advanced counseling, chaplaincy, or therapy programs

Graduates must work within ethical and legal boundaries and collaborate with licensed professionals when needed.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in environments focused on care, guidance, and service:

• Churches and religious congregations
• Hospitals, hospices, and healthcare facilities
• Faith-based nonprofits and service organizations
• Community outreach and support programs
• Counseling or care ministries
• Military, correctional, or institutional chaplaincy settings
• Educational or campus ministry environments

These roles often emphasize presence, trust, and long-term relationship-building.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary widely depending on role, organization, and location.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level care or ministry support roles: often $30,000–$45,000
• Care ministry leaders or chaplaincy roles: commonly $45,000–$70,000
• Senior ministry or nonprofit leadership roles: can earn $70,000–$95,000+

Many professionals supplement income through teaching, speaking, or additional ministry roles.

Is This Degree Hard?

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is considered emotionally and spiritually demanding. While coursework is manageable academically, students must develop strong self-awareness, boundaries, and resilience. Supporting others through crisis, grief, or trauma requires emotional maturity and consistent self-care.

The difficulty lies in sustaining compassion while maintaining professional responsibility.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Feel called to care for and support others
• Are interested in counseling-informed ministry
• Value emotional intelligence and empathy
• Want to serve in faith-based or care-focused roles
• Are open to continued training or graduate study

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a pastoral counseling or care ministry program:

• Take psychology, health, and social science courses
• Develop strong listening and communication skills
• Volunteer with church care teams, hospitals, or community programs
• Practice empathy, reflection, and self-awareness
• Learn about ethical responsibility and boundaries

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other (CIP 39.0799) is a compassion-driven degree for students who want to support others through life’s most challenging moments. It prepares graduates to offer care that integrates emotional understanding, spiritual wisdom, and ethical responsibility—serving individuals and communities with presence, integrity, and hope.