Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in health care emergencies and other situations, and to consult with and counsel other health care professionals. Includes instruction in advanced interpersonal communication; individual and small group counseling; interdisciplinary teamwork; crisis management; extended care relationships; self-analysis; medical ethics; pastoral care art; spiritual dimensions of human growth and health; counseling psychology and therapy; and applications to grief, death, emotional collapse, injury, individual/family adjustment, and chronic illness situations.
- Schools offering
- 2
- Annual completions
- 3
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $46k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in health care emergencies and other situations, and to consult with and counsel other health care professionals. Includes instruction in advanced interpersonal communication; individual and small group counseling; interdisciplinary teamwork; crisis management; extended care relationships; self-analysis; medical ethics; pastoral care art; spiritual dimensions of human growth and health; counseling psychology and therapy; and applications to grief, death, emotional collapse, injury, individual/family adjustment, and chronic illness situations.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clergy | $61k | +1.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Directors, religious activities and education | $55k | +2.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Marriage and family therapists | $64k | +12.6% | Master's degree |
| Counselors, all other | $50k | +12.6% | Master's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$46k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$41k
Bachelor's
$52k
Top colleges for Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary | Deerfield Beach, FL | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Erskine College | Due West, SC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling worth it? Read verdict