Best institutions to study 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.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 217 Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1506, a specialization of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15), and leads most directly to the Marriage and Family Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 21-1013).
About Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling programs
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.
See also: 39.0701 - Pastoral Studies/Counseling.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling program prepares individuals, including ordained clergy and other counseling professionals, to address the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families in healthcare settings. This program is ideal for those seeking to provide support during health crises and to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in various capacities.
Students in this program gain advanced interpersonal communication skills and learn techniques in individual and group counseling, crisis management, and medical ethics. Coursework covers the spiritual dimensions of health, counseling psychology, and applications to various life challenges, including grief and chronic illness.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree197 graduates / yr · 16 institutions91%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.0%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.4%
Graduates over time
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 102 |
| 2013 | 111 |
| 2014 | 196 |
| 2015 | 243 |
| 2016 | 213 |
| 2017 | 237 |
| 2018 | 174 |
| 2019 | 221 |
| 2020 | 268 |
| 2021 | 289 |
| 2022 | 217 |
| 2023 | 177 |
| 2024 | 187 |
| 2025 | 217 |
Top 18 institutions for Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 50 | — | — |
| 2 | Trinity International University - Illinois Deerfield, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 31 | 46% | $20,539 |
| 3 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 57% | $18,677 |
| 4 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 58% | $6,608 |
| 5 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | — | — |
| 6 | South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary Deerfield Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 36% | — |
| 7 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 12 | 63% | — |
| 8 | Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | — | — |
| 9 | Christian Theological Seminary Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | — | — |
| 10 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — |
| 11 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 82% | $38,931 |
| 12 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 68% | $24,409 |
| 13 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | — | — |
| 14 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 49% | $21,247 |
| 15 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 67% | $21,399 |
| 16 | Criswell College Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 50% | $14,057 |
| 17 | Faulkner University Montgomery, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 37% | $25,801 |
| 18 | Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 44% | $20,410 |
Offered in 15 states
Where Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling graduates come from. Each state links to all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 50 | Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary50 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 41 | Trinity International University - Illinois31 / yr |
| Virginia | 2 | 38 | Regent University26 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 22 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary22 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 20 | Pentecostal Theological Seminary20 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 14 | South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary14 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 6 | Christian Theological Seminary6 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 5 | Houston Christian University3 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 5 | University of Maryland, Baltimore5 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 5 | Fordham University5 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | Concordia University - Wisconsin4 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | Loma Linda University3 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | Lancaster Bible College2 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | Faulkner University1 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | Toccoa Falls College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1013, Marriage and Family Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program often pursue careers as Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, and Clergy. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 12.6% and approximately 7,700 annual openings. A Master's degree is typically required, with a median wage of $63,780.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1506
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marriage and Family Therapistsprimary SOC 21-1013 | $66,940 | +12.6% Much faster than average | ~7,700 | Master's degree |
Clergy SOC 21-2011 | $60,810 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~23,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education SOC 21-2021 | $52,100 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~13,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Counselors, All Other SOC 21-1019 | $50,860 | +12.6% Much faster than average | ~7,400 | Master's degree |
Mental Health Counselors SOC 21-1014 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
Tools and technology used
Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
- Mental Health Counseling/CIP 51.1508
Counselor 12,033 graduates / yr305 institutions - Substance Abuse/CIP 51.1501
Addiction Counseling 6,319 graduates / yr387 institutions - Marriage and Family Therapy/CIP 51.1505
Counseling 4,547 graduates / yr138 institutions - Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.15993,932 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.1503
Medical Social Work 3,398 graduates / yr53 institutions - Psychiatric/CIP 51.1502
Mental Health Services Technician 2,776 graduates / yr77 institutions - Community Health Services/CIP 51.1504
Liaison/ Counseling 2,189 graduates / yr102 institutions - Genetic Counseling/CIP 51.1509
Counselor 402 graduates / yr36 institutions - Trauma CounselingCIP 51.1513214 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507limited data10 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Medical Family Therapy/CIP 51.1511
Therapist limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Infant/
Toddler Mental Health Services51.1510
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What is Clinical Pastoral Counseling?+
It is a program that prepares individuals to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families in healthcare settings.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn active listening, counseling techniques, crisis management, and medical ethics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, or in various roles within religious education.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 12.6% and about 7,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling?+
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling is CIP 51.1506 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 217 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Marriage and Family Therapists occupation, which Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,940 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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