Education Pastoral Care
At various universities you can follow a (pre-)Master in Spiritual Care. The programs all have their own focus and are all accredited. There are different learning paths and various courses. We have listed the programs for you. All master programs in this overview can be followed part-time.
Tilburg University (Tilburg/Utrecht)
At Tilburg University, the Spiritual Care program is linked to the School of Catholic Theology. You are trained to play an important role in the lives of patients and clients and provide support and guidance in philosophy of life and meaning. After this program, you can work in the justice system, defense and in healthcare, for example in hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatry and also in primary care. Although the program has a Catholic character, you can join from any conviction. The Master GV takes 2 years (120 EC) full-time and can also be followed part-time. With this program you are eligible for a Catholic mission. Want to know more? Check the website for more information.
Protestantse Theological University (Amsterdam/Utrecht)
The Master’s program in Preaching at the PThU in Groningen offers a specialization in Preacher-Spiritual Care that trains for the fascinating profession of spiritual caregiver. The study in Groningen offers a broad orientation in theology, partly in conversation with students from different parts of the world. At the PThU, the Master’s is 3 years full-time (180 EC) and you can also work as a spiritual caregiver in the Protestant Church. The program can also be followed part-time. Check the website for more information.
University for Humanistic Studies (Utrecht)
If you have completed the Master’s in Humanistic Studies (3 years full-time; 180 EC), you can work as a spiritual caregiver at institutions, companies and government agencies. You can also follow the program part-time. Check the website for more information.
Radboud University (Nijmegen)
The spiritual care training at Radboud University is 1 year full-time (60 EC) and is taught at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. You will gain insight into the attribution of meaning and learn to use religious basic texts and rituals. This master is part of the master Religious Studies and therefore you cannot receive a missionary assignment from a church. Check the website for more information.
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Groningen)
In Groningen you can follow a 1-year master (full-time; 60 EC) Spiritual Care at the RUG. This master is part of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society. You will learn to support people in crisis situations by guiding them in the area of meaning and spirituality. The Groningen training is not tied to one specific religion or philosophy of life. Check the website for more information.
Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam)
The Vrije Universiteit offers a 1-year program (1 year; 60 EC) in Spiritual Care. The program is in English and has an international character due to the diverse nationalities of the students. It is an interreligious program. Graduates can follow a specialization of 60 EC, which also allows them to receive a specific mission. The specializations are: Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Remonstrant. Check the website for more information.