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A student observing a couple counseling session: Explore Regent's online MA in Human Services - Marriage and Family Ministry program.

M.A. in Human Services – Marriage & Family Ministry

Placing Value on Marriage & Family Values

The strength of any community rests on the strength of its relationships and family structures. If you feel called to reinvigorate marriages and families, consider the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Services – Marriage & Family Ministry, offered online. You can be prepared to address the needs of couples (married; unmarried) in a ministry context, as well as traditional and nontraditional families. Courses are taught using a combination of interaction with professors, small-groups, podcast lectures, and asynchronous chat room discussions.

Online
30
January 13, 2025
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Be Positioned for Career Advancement

Gain counseling and enrichment techniques that will help you stand out.

Empower Societal Pillars

Learn techniques necessary to protect children, educate families, and empower parents to lead well.

Integrate Knowledge & Faith

Explore proven, life-changing theories rooted in science and presented from a Christian worldview.

Our award-winning faculty are here to help – online or on-campus in Virginia Beach – as you pursue your human services degree online.

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

On completing the M.A. in Human Services – Marriage & Family Ministry degree, you can:

  • Examine topics of life span dynamics and selected issues associated with marriage counseling.
  • Gain knowledge in premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, human sexuality, divorce, and remarriage.
  • Acquire intervention treatment skills aimed at addressing the family unit.
  • Learn effective approaches and strategies for counseling children and adolescents in both individual and group settings.

Career Opportunities

  • Marriage Coach
  • Parenting Instructor
  • Case Manager
  • Children & Family Director
16%
Projected growth in social and human services employment from 2016-2026
Featured Courses
HSC 525Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques3
Continuing experiential application of significant personality theories and practice of more advanced counseling skills. Overview of the techniques and practices derived from the major psychotherapeutic systems relevant to these more advanced skills. Emphasis on the demonstration, modeling, practice and evaluation of these core skills and techniques. Prerequisite: HSC 524. Cross-listed with MHPS 625.
HSC 544Marriage & Relationship Counseling3
Overview of various marriage and adult relationships. In depth analysis of one’s own marriage and/or family of origin will facilitate deeper understanding. Examine topics on systems theory, life span dynamics, and selected issues associated with marriage counseling such as premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, human sexuality, and divorce/remarriage. Presents a multicultural focus as it pertains to marriage, adult relationships and ministry. Cross-listed with MHPS 624 and PAC 544.
HSC 545Concepts of Family Systems3
Explores family systems and related relational dynamics to understand problems and interventions aimed at addressing the family unit from a treatment perspective. Presents a multicultural/diversity focus as it relates to families. Cross-listed with MHPS 645.
HSC 546Counseling Children & Adolescents3
Overview of various child, adolescent, and parental relationships and the theological considerations in addressing these relationships. Examines developmentally appropriate approaches and effective strategies for counseling children and adolescents in both individual and group settings as well as topics relating to systems theory, the family life cycle, parenting, blended families, and resources to aid the family. Relevant ethical and legal considerations also discussed. Presents a multicultural focus as it pertains to children adolescents, and ministry. Cross-listed with MHPS 646.

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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, 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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9456$5,670
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$94512$11,340

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 »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9006$5,400
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$90012$10,800

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.

“I would recommend Regent's counseling programs to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of others and of themselves.”

Karen Palmer, M.A., 2011 Human Services

“As a Navy chaplain, I appreciated how Regent's master’s program integrated the best of science with faith and how it was designed with the flexibility I needed.”

Rob Hess, M.S. in Psychology, 2019 Chaplain, U.S. Navy

“People, especially kids, need more than clichés. My training at Regent gave me a meaningful way to express my empathy - which is passion and compassion combined - and they could feel the authenticity of it.”

Cedric Rucker, M.A. in Counseling, 2008 Community Counseling

“I'm grateful for my Regent mentors. Their emphasis on relationships and guidance has helped me navigate a challenging yet rewarding journey.”

Alexandra Melchiorre, M.S. in Psychology, 2018 Registered Behavioral Technician

“I choose Regent for its professional thoughtful and approach to education, but what shaped me was the mentoring faculty and my cohort experience.”

Chris Hull, Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, 2009 Head of Graduate Counseling, John Brown University; Board of Directors Chair, CACREP