Master in Pastoral Studies/Counseling (Master's)

For Master in Pastoral Studies/Counseling (Master's), tuition is $3,390 per semester for full-time students.

This 60-credit online program prepares students for LMFT licensure through a structured curriculum delivered fully online with two required in-person residencies. Students complete coursework in family systems theory, clinical assessment, trauma-informed practice, and evidence-based therapy techniques. The program integrates a Christian worldview into clinical training and emphasizes supervised field experience in real-world settings.

Focus areas include Clinical Mental Health (dual licensure), Family Systems Assessment and Clinical Practice, Couples and Family Therapy Techniques, Evidence-Based Therapy and Clinical Decision-Making, Christian Worldview and Relational Healing, Trauma-Informed Advocacy & Crisis Intervention.

The program requires 60 credits, including 12 credits per semester over 24 months. It includes coursework, two in-person residencies, and three internship courses totaling 600 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Graduates pursue careers as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, family therapists, couples therapists, and behavioral health clinicians in private practice, community mental health centers, and clinical settings.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA from an accredited institution. Required materials include two recommendations, a resume, and a virtual interview with faculty.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. Fully online with two in-person residencies; designed for full-time study over 24 months. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 73% of applicants.

Cornerstone University brings students together through campus life, online learning, and conversations about the ideas shaping communities, the nation, and the future. Its Wisdom Conversations series invites students to examine enduring questions through a Christ-first perspective. The university also sets goals for students to develop professional ethics, communication skills, relational intelligence, networking presence, and a mature relationship with Jesus Christ.

Academic options cover Business & Innovation; Health, Science & Technology; Education & Human Services; Ministry, Media & the Arts; and Theological Seminary study. Programs include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with courses taught by faculty experts and committed Christians. Cornerstone connects academic preparation with professional and ministry readiness, while integrating a Christian worldview into education.

The university operates on campus in Grand Rapids and offers degrees online to students across the United States. International students should understand that Christian faith is central to the institution’s identity and academic approach. Campus students can take part in student life and events such as Wisdom Conversations, while online information sessions provide a route for students considering remote degree study. In 2026, Cornerstone marked its 85th anniversary, continuing its focus on preparing graduates to influence society and the workforce through their chosen fields.