M.A. in Trauma Ministry & Disaster Relief

Bring Hope and Healing in Times of Crisis

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Trauma Ministry & Disaster Relief, offered fully online with no residency requirement, explores the biblical, theological, and psychological training necessary to provide specialized trauma-informed care and disaster relief. Whether you’re called to minister to individuals who have experienced trauma or communities impacted by disasters, this 36-credit program is designed to help Christian ministers foster healing, resilience, and renewal through comprehensive pastoral care. Combining coursework from the School of Divinity and the School of Psychology & Counseling, this program offers you a strong biblical foundation often absent from many trauma-related programs.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 36

Integrate Theology & Psychology

Gain a unique interdisciplinary approach through courses from both the School of Divinity and the School of Psychology & Counseling, combining biblical wisdom with evidence-based trauma care practices.

Build on a Strong Biblical Foundation

Develop trauma ministry skills grounded in Scripture and Christian theology — a distinctly faith-integrated approach to trauma care.

Gain Real-World Experience

Apply your learning through a required practicum with opportunities like Operation Blessing International, a global humanitarian organization with decades of disaster relief experience. While the program is fully online, you’ll have the opportunity to complete hands-on field experience in disaster relief and trauma ministry contexts, applying classroom learning to real-world crisis situations under experienced supervision.

Expand Your Career Path

Open doors to serve in churches, chaplaincy, nonprofit organizations, international development, and disaster relief agencies worldwide.

Make an Impact

Become equipped to bring hope, healing, and the transforming power of Christ to those in their darkest moments of crisis and trauma.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

The M.A. in Trauma Ministry & Disaster Relief at Regent University is accredited by The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

Career Opportunities

On completing the M.A. in Trauma Ministry & Disaster Relief degree, you can:

Apply trauma-informed care principles rooted in biblical theology and psychological best practices.
Provide compassionate pastoral care to individuals, families, and communities affected by trauma and disaster.
Develop and implement trauma ministry programs within churches, organizations, and communities.
Respond effectively to crisis situations with spiritual, emotional, and practical support.
Lead disaster relief efforts with cultural sensitivity and theological grounding.
Integrate the work of the Holy Spirit in the healing and restoration process.

Career Opportunities

Pastor
Chaplain
Nonprofit Leader
International Development
Disaster Relief Personnel

Featured Courses

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
PAC 561	Community & Crisis Counseling	3	Continuation of Models & Strategies with advanced lay counseling intervention strategies, techniques, and care-giving activities. Examines grief and loss, forgiveness, responding to critical incidents and crisis counseling, community trauma and disaster, chaplaincy issues, stress/burnout, and compassion fatigue issues. Presents a multicultural focus relating to intervention strategies and ministry. Cross-listed with HSC 561 and MHPS 761.
PMIN 660	A Theology of Trauma	3	Explores trauma through a Renewal Theology lens, integrating biblical, theological, and pastoral insights to cultivate Spirit-empowered compassion, healing, and resilience in individuals, churches, and communities affected by suffering and crisis.
PMIN 661	Practicum in Trauma Ministry	3	This practicum offers supervised, hands-on ministry experience in trauma care. Students apply biblical and psychological principles to facilitate healing groups, develop trauma-informed practices, and foster spiritual renewal.
THEO 500	Christian Theology	3	Key tenets and central doctrines of the Christian faith. Special focus on biblical foundations, historical developments, theological method, and major controversies and confessions.
TRAM 667	Treating PTSD, Compassion Fatigue, & Complex Trauma	3	The theoretical concepts and symptoms of PTSD, complex trauma, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization in clients, practitioners, first responders and in their role as trauma therapists is explored. Learn current evidence-based strategies for treatment of compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. Cross-listed with MHPS 767.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2025-26 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$565	6	$3,390
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$565	6	$3,390
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$565	6	$3,390
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	3	$2,010

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$565	9	$5,085
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$565	9	$5,085
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$565	9	$5,085
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	6	$4,020

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2024-25 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	3	$2,010

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	6	$4,020

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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“It was the beginning stages of Regent's D.Min. program that really helped define my leadership gift and lay a foundation for what the Lord has done. It gave me the practical tools that I needed.”

Mark Batterson, D.Min., 2013 Lead Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C.; New York Times Best-Selling Author

“In preparing to fully embrace God’s call on my life, I was attracted to Regent’s commitment to Christian Leadership to Change the World. I needed a world-class institution to help me develop the confidence to do it. My professors gave me the holistic spiritual formation I needed and refined my worldview. At Regent, I obtained the academic and theological foundation necessary to build the global ministries, businesses, and brands I oversee. I am proud and honored to be among the Regent alumni who are changing the world.”

Pastor James E. Ward Jr., Master of Divinity, Graduated Fall 2013

“I received a direct commission to the U.S. Army Reserves in the rank of Second Lieutenant on April 10, 2019. The decision to pursue a military career came as a result of my prayerfully discerning a clear call from God to join ministry, specifically through military chaplaincy during this time.”

Whitney Mathis, M. Div., 2020

“Thank you Regent University for making the most out of this special day for the Class of 2020.”

Richard Sarmiento, M.Div., 2020 Recruiting Specialist, Accenture Federal Services

“Regent served as a place for acquiring a top-quality academic experience.”

Preston Braswell, M.Div., 2020 Senior Admissions Counselor, School of Law, Regent University