The Antiochian House of Studies’ Master of Pastoral Care & Counseling is a 66-credit degree program, with a specific focus of training clergy, chaplains, health care professionals, and laity to provide complex supportive care to individuals and families from a uniquely Orthodox Christian pastoral theological foundation. Although some sociological and psychological methodologies are employed, our focus is centered around patristic Tradition and spiritual therapy in caring and curing the illness of the soul.
The program consists of three parts:
1) Coursework: 51 credits of blended coursework in applied Orthodox pastoral theology and crisis care management.
2) Practicum: 6 credits (400 hours) of supervised pastoral care practicum, accomplished over two years, focused on locally-placed ministry experiences.
3) Research / Thesis: 9 credits of guided research, culminating in a thesis and focused on developing an integrated therapeutic response to a current issue arising in local ministry.
In addition, two intensive, in-person Residency weeks are required for the MPCC program, one week at the start of the first year of study, another at the start of the second year. Both take place at the Antiochian Village Conference Center in western Pennsylvania. The Residency experience offers students the opportunity to engage in focused academic lectures, group process engagements, skills development training, and individual and group supervision.
As is the case in any educational program, the keys to each student deriving the maximum benefit from our courses are:
1) Self-discipline to pace steadily through the assignments.
2) A firm commitment to their peer group in the learning processes.
3) Experiencing in a meaningful and real practical way the application of our pastoral care discipline throughout all components of our studies.
In order to become a candidate for the Master of Pastoral Care & Counseling degree and to matriculate into the thesis portion of the program, each student must have completed the two-year curriculum fully and successfully, with no course failures.
The Master of Pastoral Care & Counseling is fully-accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).
The MPCC program accepts a new cohort of students every other year, in odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, 2027, etc.).
Course Schedule for MPCC Program: [Total credits: 66]
Fall, Year 1
PCC Residency I (one week)
PCA5300 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling – [3 Credits]
PTH6111 Marriage Preparation & Enrichment – [3 Credits]
PCA5311 Ethics of Pastoral Care and Counseling – [3 Credits]
PCA5356 Spiritual Father as the Axiom of the Orthodox Church – [3 Credits]
PCA5301 Clinical Pastoral Practicum Part I: Fundamentals – [1.5 Credits]
Spring, Year 1
PT6123 Curing Spiritual Illness in the Patristic Tradition – [3 Credits]
PC5322 Human Life cycle and Development – [3 Credits]
PC5366 Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning – [3 Credits]
PCA5355 Cultural Diversity in Pastoral Care and Counseling – [3 Credits]
PCA5302 Clinical Pastoral Practicum Part II: Fundamentals – [1.5 Credits]
Fall, Year 2
PCC Residency II (one week)
PTH6155 Issues in Human Sexuality – [3 Credits]
PCA5344 Group-based Pastoral Care and Counseling – [3 Credits]
PCA5380 Stress Management and Professional Burn-out – [3 Credits]
PCA5377 Parish-based Crisis Response – [3 Credits]
PCA5302 Clinical Pastoral Practicum Part III: Special Populations – [1.5 Credits]
Spring, Year 2
PTH6133 Sanctification of Marriage and Family Life – [3 Credits]
PCH5388 Pastoral Interventions with Families in Crisis – [3 Credits]
PTH6166 Death, Dying, and End of Life (New) – [3 Credits]
PCA5390 Psychopathology and Referral – [3 Credits]
PCA5302 Clinical Pastoral Practicum Part IV: Special Populations – [1.5 Credits]
Fall, Year 3
No 3rd Residency required for MPCC (like MTS)
PCA5391 Grief, Mourning, and Bereavement (New) – [3 Credits]
PCA7001 Guided Research in Pastoral Care and Counseling | – [3 Credits]
Spring, Year 3
PCA7003 Guided Research in Pastoral Care and Counseling II – [6 Credits]
*MPCC program reserves the right to make changes on curriculum and requirements without prior notice.
Faculty and Staff of the MPCC Program
- Rev. Fr. Michel E. Najim, Ph.D. – AHOS President
- Rt. Rev. Fr. Fadi Rabbat, Ph.D. – Academic Dean
- Very Rev. Fr. Elias G. Boulos, D.Min., Ph.D. (ABD) – Director
- Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Longofono, Ph.D.
- Very Rev. Fr. Philip LaMasters, Ph. D.
- Khouria Maggie Hock, Ph.D.
Review the Application Process or Apply Now.
