Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies
An Advanced Degree for Mental Health Counseling, Research, Scholarship & Psychological Science
Are you a scholar seeking to impact culture outside the formal professional arm of psychology or counseling? Or, perhaps you’re seeking a mental health Ph.D. program to help you advance in international work and don’t need North American professional accreditation. Regent’s challenging Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree program includes a common core in research, statistics, psychometrics, and Christian leadership. You can also choose elective courses that will prepare you for work in your specific area of interest.
Become Highly Specialized
Choose the concentration that best fits your interests and career goals.
Advance Your Career Potential
Open new opportunities in salary and opportunity through this doctoral degree in counseling and psychological studies.
Prepare to Make a Lasting Difference
Join a respected network of Regent mental health practitioners leading in their field through the integration of science and faith.
Pursue Academic Excellence
Experience Regent, ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2023. Courses are taught from a Christian worldview by renowned faculty in Virginia Beach and beyond.
Apply for A $36,000 Trailblazer Scholarship
The School of Psychology & Counseling is offering a $36,000 Trailblazer Scholarship to new students in the Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies program. The scholarship will provide full tuition for the 3-year program – an amount valued at $36,000 – to three new students who begin the Ph.D. program each fall semester. It will be awarded to three applicants with a clear counseling ministries vision and implementation plan. Learn how to apply for the scholarship.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
Upon completion of the Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree, you can:
- Gain a solid foundation in research methods and applied field experience.
- Learn to anchor your work in scientific, historical and theological elements of counseling and psychology.
- Collaborate with professional peers and experienced clinical leaders through the planning and presentation of your dissertation.
Career Opportunities
- University Faculty/Leadership
- Researcher/Writer
- Mental Health Services Executive
- Guidance Director
- Nonprofit Administrator
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Addictions Counseling can prepare you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. Receive the knowledge and skills needed to break new ground in behavioral health and make an impact on this social crisis.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Biblical Counseling provides sound biblical interpretation and the application of theology to address human need. It can prepare you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education, psychological science, biblical counseling center and more.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services Counseling can develop your expertise in children’s and couples’ counseling, marriage and parenting enrichment techniques, and divorce/remarriage conflict resolution. It can help to enhance your interpersonal and facilitator skills and provide an insight into biblical principles relevant to group dynamics.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services for Student Affairs can expand your expertise regarding the intellectual growth, moral development, values, career choice, and psychosocial changes of students. This program can equip you to foster a positive learning environment.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Industrial-Organizational can equip you in mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science through this scientific discipline that studies human behavior in the workplace.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Life Coaching can equip you to understand and apply both counseling and coaching to maximize client results. The program can prepare you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education and psychological science.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry can equip you to bring biblically based, scientifically supported reason and research to the mental health arena. Research critical areas, including forgiveness & grace, inner healing, conflict & crisis management, sexuality, eating disorders, child behavior, and more.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Trauma & Crisis Counseling focuses on models of inner healing, forgiveness, critical incidents, crisis management, and community trauma and disaster. It can prepare you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education and psychological science.
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 |
Prerequisites
Ph.D. applicants must:
- Hold a regionally accredited 30 hour master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- Have at least one year of experience in a mental health field (highly desirable).
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.
International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.
Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.
Step 4: Submit Your Resume
The Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree requires a professional resume or curriculum vitae to include three references with contact information. References should be able to address questions related to character, as well as your interpersonal and relational skills. The resume should also include thorough job descriptions of each position held. This can be submitted to regent.edu/items.
Step 5: Graduate Academic Paper
Please submit an APA formatted academic writing sample that is relevant to the field of Mental Health. Your submission needs to be at least five pages in length (preferably research based) and with at least five scholarly references. We do not accept case studies, literature reviews, or papers where you are not the sole author. Please submit to regent.edu/items.
Step 6: 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) | $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 |
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) | $900 | 6 | $5,400 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $900 | 12 | $10,800 |
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.