Grace College Online Master’s in Counseling: Pastoral & Clinical
Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary offer two graduate programs for students interested in counseling and pastoral care: the master of clinical mental health counseling (MACMHC) and the online master of divinity (MDiv) in pastoral counseling. Both programs are designed to prepare students for meaningful service through Christian education, practical training, and a biblical worldview.
These programs share a strong focus on Christian faith, professional development, and flexible study options. Grace College offers online learning with annual residency experiences, while the seminary program provides fully online theological training for students preparing for counseling ministry in the church. Both programs are meant for students who want to grow in knowledge, skill, and service while balancing other responsibilities.
The master of clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit online program that includes a seven-day residency each year on the Winona Lake campus. The program is built to help students learn counseling from a Christian perspective and prepare for roles such as licensed mental health counselor, substance abuse counselor, marriage and family counselor, crisis interventionalist, private practice therapist, and clinical supervisor. Key courses include theological foundations in counseling; psychopathology; counseling skills; group counseling; contemporary issues & trends in counseling; and spirituality in counseling.
The online master of divinity in pastoral counseling is a 75-credit degree designed for students who want a strong biblical and theological foundation for counseling ministry. It prepares students for service in the local church and related ministry settings. Important courses include systematic theology; biblical psychology; counseling theories; counseling methods and techniques; and pre marital and marital counseling.
Admission requirements differ by program. For the master of clinical mental health counseling, applicants must hold a degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, complete the application process, submit a professional reference, interview with a faculty member, and pass a background check.
For the master of divinity in pastoral counseling, applicants need a four-year bachelor’s degree or international equivalent, a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, official transcripts, and one spiritual life reference. Applicants with a GPA below 2.5 or degrees from non-accredited institutions may be considered on academic restriction, and some applicants without a bachelor’s degree may qualify if they meet ministry and research and writing requirements.
Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary are located in Winona Lake, Indiana. Grace College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the master of clinical mental health counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and Grace Theological Seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
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MA – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Online M.Div. Pastoral Counseling
1 Lancer WyWinona Lake, Indiana
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2-3 – Students are required to attend an annual six-day summer residency each year that they are in the program.
60
January, May, August
Can be completed in 2 to 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
CA
Program Tuition
60
$625.00
$37,500.00
$625.00
$37,500.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Spiritual Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
75
August, January
Can be completed in as few as 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.5 or higher
CA
Program Tuition
75
$470.00
$35,250.00
$470.00
$35,250.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.