The Best Pastoral Counseling Degree Programs in New York for 2026
Choosing the right pastoral counseling degree in New York sets the foundation for a meaningful career serving a variety of communities. Pastoral counselors work in churches, hospitals, prisons, and non-profit organizations. They provide spiritual guidance and mental health support to those in need.
You might be drawn to pastoral care and counseling in healthcare settings or faith-based communities. Selecting a program that lines up with your goals is vital. This guide explores nine of the best pastoral counseling degrees available in New York for 2026. You’ll find details on curriculum, tuition, accreditation, and admission requirements.
Fordham University – Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling
Program Overview
Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education delivers a Master of Arts in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling that combines state-of-the-art mental health counseling training with a solid foundation in theology and spirituality. The program follows the Jesuit principle of cura personalis, or care of the whole person, and prepares you to provide therapeutic services in faith-based contexts.
This 60-credit master’s program stands out as one of only a few in the country that trains students to become competent and ethical mental health counselors who can get into how spirituality and people’s spiritual experiences help them flourish psychologically. You must first be a licensed mental health counselor to become a certified pastoral counselor.
The program operates over 7 semesters and prepares you for licensure as a mental health counselor in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and several other U.S. states. You’ll get hands-on experience through a supervised clinical internship working with individuals and groups as a professional counselor. Twenty-four students received their master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Fordham in 2022. This made it the #15 most popular school for pastoral counseling master’s degree candidates in the country.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA during undergraduate education or a 3.5 or higher GPA during graduate school education. You need to submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, with one transcript providing evidence of a B.A. or B.S. degree.
The application package requires a personal statement, CV or resume, and two letters of recommendation. An $80 application fee applies to all applicants. International students must meet language proficiency requirements with IELTS-6 or TOEFL-60 scores. Applicants must demonstrate professional promise through their application materials or may be invited for an interview with a program faculty member.
Curriculum Highlights
The curriculum combines traditional counseling training with theological foundations. You’ll take courses in pastoral counseling and spiritual care along with studying psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, professional ethics, and clinical intervention. The program emphasizes counseling theory, psychological assessment, and clinical intervention. It provides an integrated way to treat clients from different spiritual and cultural backgrounds.
Students complete 600 hours of on-site supervised field experience, with the internship beginning only in the fall semester. The program can be completed full-time in two years (with summers) or part-time in three years (with summers). Course offerings include trauma-informed care, marriage and family therapy, group process theory and techniques, and death, dying, and bereavement counseling.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition rate stands at $1,799 per unit for the 2025-2026 academic year, or $1,049 per unit for select faith-based programs. Students must pay university per-term fees including a General Fee of $95 and a Technology Fee of $356. Additional one-time costs include an assessment fee of $190 and a malpractice insurance fee of $72.
Over 70% of GSE students in all degree programs receive some type of school-based aid support. Financial aid options include GSE school-based aid (institutional aid) and Federal financial aid, both requiring a FAFSA on file for the academic year. Graduate assistantships are available based on merit and full-time status. They require a 3.5 undergraduate GPA or 3.75 graduate GPA.
Accreditation
Fordham’s pastoral counseling program received accreditation from the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). The program was one of 16 programs in the country recognized under the Masters in Counseling Accreditation Committee (MCAC) standards for integrating science-based training in their professional psychology and counseling curriculum. The M.S.E. in Mental Health Counseling maintains MPCAC accreditation for the period of July 2015 through July 2026.
Jewish Theological Seminary – MA in Spiritual Care and Counseling
Program Overview
The Jewish Theological Seminary welcomes students from all religious, denominational, and spiritual backgrounds into its MA in Spiritual Care and Counseling. Judaism’s rich tradition of caring for others during most important and challenging times inspired the program. It offers both traditional in-person and flexible online pathways for developing skills to support, comfort, and accompany people through difficulty.
The program consists of 30 credit hours, with 18 credits of academic theoretical work, 6 credits of experiential learning through internship, and 6 elective credits. Students can complete requirements at their own pace. The shortest program length is 15 months and most students finish within 2-3 years. The flexible structure accommodates students from around the world seeking to prepare for board certification as chaplains.
You’ll focus on providing care during difficult times, including death, trauma, illness and hospitalization, in settings such as hospitals, congregations, schools, camps, or prisons. The program concludes with a capstone project, which can be an academic research paper, development of a professional tool, artistic expression, or pre-approved alternative that integrates theoretical and experiential learning.
Admission Requirements
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after priority deadlines. The priority deadline is March 1 for fall enrollment with admission notifications by April 30, while spring applications have a November 1 priority deadline with decisions by December 1. Spring applications close January 2.
Essay requirements differ based on prior Clinical Pastoral Education experience. Candidates without CPE experience submit a 250-500 word statement about hopes for the program and how it fits with professional goals, plus a 500-1,000 word account of a caring incident. Candidates with prior CPE experience write about their most important CPE learning and current strengths and weaknesses, along with a recent verbatim from prior CPE with reflections.
GRE or Miller Analogies Test results are encouraged but not required for admission. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or Duolingo English Test scores, valid for two years from test date. Testing may be waived for List College graduates with 3.0+ GPA, holders of relevant graduate degrees, or those completing non-degree JTS courses with 3.3+ GPA.
Curriculum Details
Students must complete at least one CPE internship totaling 400 hours of clinical and educational work, accredited by ACPE or the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. Participation in JTS’s own internship program is encouraged. However, admission to the master’s program does not guarantee placement due to limited availability.
You may transfer credit for up to 2 units of CPE internship, totaling up to 12 credits, and up to 6 credits of approved academic coursework in spiritual or pastoral care and counseling. Courses previously taken at JTS in these areas are approved automatically.
Tuition and Financial Aid
No tuition fellowships are offered for the MA in Spiritual Care and Counseling. Applicants are not eligible for need- or merit-based aid but may qualify for federal student loans. Students seeking financial support can apply using the Professional Studies loan application.
Accreditation
JTS has had accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1954, with accredited status reaffirmed during the most recent evaluation in March 2025. The next reaccreditation evaluation takes place in 2032-2033. The Center for Pastoral Education at JTS holds additional accreditation through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.
Yeshiva University – MS in Pastoral Counseling
Program Overview
Yeshiva University delivers pastoral counseling training through a joint Advanced Certificate in Pastoral Counseling, a partnership between the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. This certificate program, registered with the New York State Education Department, prepares rabbis in-training to address the psychological and emotional needs of their future congregants.
The program has 18 credits completed over 18 months, designed for second- and third-year RIETS students pursuing careers in the rabbinate or Jewish education. Credits earned through the certificate become part of the rabbinical degree and can be applied to an appropriate master’s or doctoral program[192].
Orthodox Jewish clinicians serve as Ferkauf-approved instructors and bring first-hand understanding of the clinical and cultural issues graduates will address in their work environments. The program gives students practical knowledge to support people experiencing a wide range of life challenges and strengthens their knowing how to guide individuals to the best resources available.
Admission Requirements
Enrollment is limited to existing RIETS students currently, though plans are underway to open the program to students and graduates from other schools. You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to enter RIETS. Qualified students who have studied two full years in an approved Yeshiva can begin semikha studies during their senior year at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business.
You’ll need a satisfactory record in Talmud and Jewish studies taken during a minimum of four academic years beyond the secondary school level. An entrance examination tests skills in preparation, reading, and comprehension. The application requires two letters of recommendation: one from a recent Talmud faculty member and one from your congregational rabbi, plus a personal interview with the dean. A $50 application fee applies.
Curriculum Highlights
The certificate has six graduate-level foundational courses covering mental health counseling, psychopathology, crisis intervention, loss and bereavement, and couples and families counseling. The curriculum has: basic principles of counseling, psychopathology for child/adolescent/adult populations, counseling skills development, issues in grief counseling, crisis counseling, and couples and family counseling.
Students can apply these courses, in addition to two other courses from the standard semikha program, to a master’s degree in counseling at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.
Tuition and Financial Aid
RIETS tuition stands at $7,375 per semester. All students admitted to the RIETS program receive a full tuition scholarship, though it does not cover the $900 registration fee and $50 activity fee per semester. Students admitted to the Kollel program may qualify for a stipend and dormitory housing.
Accreditation
Yeshiva University maintains accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1948. The university received renewed accreditation in November 2024, with a non-compliance warning on Standards V and VI. The Advanced Certificate in Pastoral Counseling program holds registration with the New York State Education Department[192].
The General Theological Seminary – Master of Divinity with Pastoral Care Specialization
Program Overview
Episcopal Church ordination candidates find specialized training through General Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program, which educates students for ordained ministry through an innovative hybrid model. The 78-credit post-baccalaureate program spans 3 to 4 years and employs four distinct pedagogies: synchronous hybrid courses taught both in-person and online, asynchronous online courses, week-long intensives on campus in New York, and a competency-based approach to contextual ministry.
The curriculum emphasizes integration among theological disciplines and between academic learning and contextual practice. Students involve themselves in ministry placements for six semesters and develop character, skills, and competencies needed for Christian ministry. The seminary enrolled 54 FTE students with 4 full-time faculty members as of Fall 2025.
Four student learning outcomes guide the program: deepened understanding of Christian faith and theological study resources, character and competency formation through coursework and community involvement, maturity in ministry practice refined through metropolitan context experience, and preparation to proclaim and embody the Gospel in ordained ministry.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent, though the Admissions Committee can grant exceptions upon review [252]. Ecclesiastical endorsement proves required at admission for students preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church or from full communion partners. The Episcopal Church requires endorsement from your bishop, while other churches may require comparable church authority endorsement.
Students without ecclesiastical endorsement by the end of their second semester, or whose endorsement is disputed or withdrawn, may face program dismissal. General Seminary permits up to five years to complete the degree, after which you must petition the Admissions Committee for continued study.
Curriculum Details
Clinical Pastoral Education is encouraged though not required for the degree. You can receive up to six elective transfer credits by providing the CXM Director with a completion certificate and supervisor evaluation after finishing a CPE unit. The seminary maintains consortium agreements with New York Theological Consortium members, namely Fordham University, Hebrew Union College, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary, along with separate agreements with Drew University and Virginia Theological Seminary.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Scholarships cover tuition costs for the majority of students. Generous financial aid remains available to qualifying students and offers cost-saving advantages compared to traditional residential seminary programs.
Accreditation
General Theological Seminary holds accreditation from the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools by virtue of its affiliation with Virginia Theological Seminary. The seminary maintains Accredited in Good Standing status, which means it meets all applicable COA Standards of Accreditation. The next detailed accreditation visit occurs in fall 2031. The institution received approval to offer detailed distance education and allows half or more of a degree online [273].
Reformed Theological Seminary – Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Program Overview
Reformed Theological Seminary has marriage and family therapy training within its Master of Arts in Counseling program, though the New York City campus operates with limitations. RTS is approved to offer up to 49% of the Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) degree at the New York City location. Students who want detailed counseling training that has marriage and family therapy components attend RTS’s Jackson or Charlotte campuses.
The CACREP-accredited MAC program spans 78 credits and combines clinical mental health counseling coursework with Reformed theological foundations. The curriculum has 61 hours of counseling courses, 6 hours of Biblical Studies, 5 hours of Theology, and 6 hours of electives. This structure gives you the ability to counsel both churched and non-churched populations in multicultural societies.
MAC enrollment remains limited to 24 students per class per campus. This helps build relationships among students and provides intensive supervision during the clinical component. The program prepares you for state licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor and qualifies you to practice in agencies, private practices, and church counseling centers.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements were not detailed in available documentation for the MAC program. Prospective students should contact RTS for specific application materials and prerequisites.
Curriculum Highlights
Marriage and family counseling is a central part of the MAC curriculum. The program trains students in various counseling approaches that include Clinical Mental Health Counseling, school counseling, and family counseling. Course topics address complex dynamics in marriage, parenting, and family dysfunction. They begin with biblical understanding of marriage and family nature.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Church Partnership Program builds relationships between students, their supporting churches, and the seminary. Churches contribute toward tuition costs, and RTS matches contributions up to one-third of annual tuition for an effective 67% scholarship when used fully. All scholarships are limited to three years for MA programs. Spouse scholarships provide 100% tuition awards for spouses of full-time students earning degrees with equal or fewer credit hours.
Accreditation
Reformed Theological Seminary holds accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada to award MDiv, MABS, MAR, MATS, MAC, MACC, and DMin degrees. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits RTS to award masters and doctorate degrees. The MAC degree program maintains accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Getting Started
Given these points, selecting the right pastoral counseling program depends on your specific denominational background, career goals, and preferred learning format. Some institutions like Alliance University and Nyack College have closed, but several accredited programs remain available in New York. These range from Fordham’s mental health counseling integration to JTS’s flexible online options.
Contact programs that match your faith tradition and professional aspirations as your next step. You should confirm accreditation status, explore financial aid opportunities, and verify current tuition rates before you apply. Each program has unique strengths, so identify which curriculum and theological approach best supports your calling to serve communities through pastoral counseling.