M.A. in Human Services – Criminal Justice & Ministry
Lead as a Positive Social Change Agent
You can help bring lasting rehabilitation to the incarcerated and others within the legal system. The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Services – Criminal Justice & Ministry is offered online in partnership with Regent School of Law. This criminal justice degree focuses on juvenile and criminal law, international trafficking, and immigration rules and procedures. Courses are taught using a combination of real-time interaction with professors, small-group projects, podcast lectures, and asynchronous chat room discussions.
Be Positioned for Career Advancement
Gain counseling and mediation tools that will help you stand out.
Integrate Knowledge & Faith
Become a powerful influencer as you explore science and theories backed by biblical principles.
Enhance Your Expertise
Learn from respected mental health and legal experts.
Our award-winning faculty are here to help – online or on-campus in Virginia Beach – as you pursue your master’s in human services. This degree culminates in a capstone that includes field experience in your area of interest.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the M.A. in Human Services – Criminal Justice & Ministry degree, you can:
- Analyze common law concepts and statutory provisions.
- Study legal parameters of the juvenile law system.
- Learn procedures of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Board of Immigration Appeals, Department of State, and Department of Labor.
- Examine global issues of human trafficking and the treatment of trafficked persons as victims of crime.
Career Opportunities
- Juvenile detention/youth counselor
- Behavioral disorder counselor
- Caseworker
- Police administration
| MLAW 533 | Juvenile Law | 3 | Discussion of problems related to minority status, including jurisdiction of the state, detention, responsibility for the crime, rights and responsibilities of the parents, and the constitutional, statutory and case law parameters of the juvenile law system. |
| MLAW 535 | International Trafficking in Persons | 3 | Overview of the global problem of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The course examines the issue of trafficking from several perspectives: (i) the various international conventions that prohibit trafficking in persons; (ii) regional examples of trafficking and factors that contribute to it such as civil unrest and governmental corruption; and (iii) the United States legislative and foreign policy response to trafficking in persons. This course will focus on trafficking in persons as a human rights violation and the treatment of trafficked persons as a victim of a crime. |
| MLAW 583 | Immigration Law & Procedure | 3 | Citizenship, acquisition and maintenance of major immigrant and non-immigrant classifications; admission into and exclusion or deportation from the U.S.; and structure and procedures of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Board of Immigration Appeals, Department of State and Department of Labor. |
| MLAW 634 | Criminal Law | 3 | Focus on the foundations and common law doctrines of criminal law and modern statutory provisions. |
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
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, AACRAO 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.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 3 | $2,085 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | $995 | 6 | $5,970 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $1,025 | 12 | $12,300 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 6 | $3,690 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $730 | 6 | $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $730 | 6 | $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $730 | 6 | $4,380 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 3 | $2,085 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | Full time enrollment is required. | ||
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA) | $615 | 9 | $5,535 |
| Master of Science in Psychology (MS) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) | $730 | 9 | $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $730 | 9 | $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $730 | 9 | $6,570 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | $945 | 6 | $5,670 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $945 | 12 | $11,340 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.