At Neumann University, our Department of Pastoral Care and Counseling offers a master’s degree program in Pastoral Counseling and a graduate certificate program in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career that will help you to make a difference, keep reading! We’re here to explain everything you need to know about these certificate programs and how you can benefit from each.

Certificate courses are offered for students who are continuing professional education programs, courses or certificates, who want discipline-specific, college-level programs. The courses are shorter than your average graduate degree programs and are usually completed in less than one year.

In some cases, credits earned in a certificate program can be transferred to a traditional master’s program. At Neumann University, we have integrated both pastoral care and counseling into our certificate programs.

What exactly is pastoral care?

In the most general sense, pastoral care refers to the emotional and spiritual support that is found in all cultures and traditions. As a pastoral counselor, you are responsible for combining the science of psychology with spirituality and faith.

We offer three unique certificate programs in pastoral counseling:

• Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling (CAS)
• Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist (CPCS)
• Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate of Advanced Studies in Spiritual Formation and Direction Supervision C.A.S.

Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling

If you are a student who would like to integrate pastoral identity into a previous master’s degree, then a Certificate of Advanced Study may be a great option for you. Students in this program are required to fulfill 15 graduate credits. After their 15 hours are complete and with faculty recommendation, students may transfer their credits toward the traditional master’s degree.

Upon completion of the CAS program, students are able to:

• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the relationship between spirituality and psychology, both in theory and clinical practice.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the spectrum of psychological theories and clinical modalities.
• Understand the differences between spiritual leadership, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction.
• Understand the various paths for further professional development in the pastoral counseling field and have sufficient information to pursue them, if so desired.

Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist

Unlike the CAS, the Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist is for deacons, ministers, and/or lay pastoral caregivers who, while involved in ministries of pastoral support and caregiving, do not aspire to function as a pastoral counselor/psychotherapist.

This certificate combines pastoral identity, spirituality, and pastoral care practice through a combination of theoretical understanding and practical skills.

Upon finishing their certificate, students will be able to:

• Understand pastoral care theology and principles.
• Embrace holistic training in the integration of the psychological with the spiritual.
• Develop competencies in crisis intervention; substance abuse, grief and loss, and supportive counseling methods for individuals, marriages, and families; as well as diagnosis and referrals.
• Increase an awareness of the importance of demographic issues (such as age, faith tradition, ethnicity, gender) when dealing with a diverse population of clients.
• Reinforce the belief and application that “knowledge, while valuable of itself, is to be used in the service of others.” (Neumann University Mission Statement)
• Continue education if desired in either the Pastoral Counseling or Spiritual Direction Master’s degree program at Neumann University. (All credits that are obtained in the CPCS program can be applied to either of the two Pastoral Care and Counseling degree tracks.)

Pastoral Care and Counseling Certificate of Advanced Studies in Spiritual Formation and Direction Supervision

Are you a spiritual director seeking professional development?

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Spiritual Formation and Direction Supervision is designed for those seeking enrichment in the area of supervision. This program requires 9 credits of in-class courses that focus on theory and integration and 6 credits of supervised practicum experiences.

Graduates with this certificate will be able to:

• Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the relationship between spirituality and psychology, in both theory and practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the spectrum of great teachers in the history of Christian spirituality.
• Understand the difference between supervision and consultation in spiritual direction.
• Understand the various paths for further professional development in the spiritual direction field and have sufficient information and experience to pursue them, if so desired.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of spiritual direction in a variety of religious traditions.

Salary and Career Outlook for Pastoral Care and Counseling of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling

As stated, a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is ideal to a student who would like to integrate pastoral identity into a previous master’s degree. Pastoral counselors must have their license, as well as a master's or doctorate degree in counseling in order to practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the projected job growth for a mental health counselor between 2014-2024 is 20 percent, which is higher than the average job growth for most industries. Depending on what type of career you would like to pursue, the salary can range from $48,150 to $53,250.

Whichever certificate program you end up choosing, Neumann University will give you the knowledge to further your professional education in pastoral counseling. If you are just starting to become interested in pastoral counseling, you can request more information here.