by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, pastoral studies/counseling was the 364th most popular major nationwide with 1,430 degrees awarded. This represents a small change of only -0.2% from the prior year's total of 1,433 pastoral studies/counseling degrees awarded.
This year's Best Pastoral Studies/Counseling Schools ranking compares 42 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pastoral studies/counseling programs later in this article.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to pastoral studies/counseling. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
pastoral studies/counseling degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional pastoral studies/counseling certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different pastoral studies/counseling degree levels. You can get anything from a in pastoral studies/counseling to the highest pastoral studies/counseling degree, a . The time it takes to complete a pastoral studies/counseling degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to pastoral studies/counseling, with approximately 39.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for pastoral studies/counseling workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 40.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 36.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.0% |
83.7% of pastoral studies/counseling workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in pastoral studies/counseling have received.
The education level required is different depending on the pastoral studies/counseling career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your pastoral studies/counseling degree? Pastoral Studies/Counseling careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pastoral studies/counseling.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | 263,800 | 8.2% |
| Religious Workers | 57,300 | 7.7% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for pastoral studies/counseling graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for pastoral studies/counseling graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers pastoral studies/counseling grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
| Clergy | $53,290 |
| Religious Workers | $35,860 |
With over 233 different pastoral studies/counseling degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased pastoral studies/counseling school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries area of study, Pastoral Studies/Counseling has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 607 |
| Lay Ministry | 504 |
| Youth Ministry | 434 |
| Urban Ministry | 65 |
| Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies | 18 |
