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A discussion with students: Pursue the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling certificate at Regent University.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

On Campus, Online
12
January 13, 2025
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The Certificate of Graduate Studies in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, offered online and on campus in Virginia Beach, is a professional certificate that will serve as an endorsement to licensure and for counselor continuing education for additional state credentialing requirements. It is not for initial licensure. This family and marriage counseling certificate may help advance your career as a mental health professional.

  • Explore successful passage through the developmental stages of marriage and family over the life span.
  • Gain invaluable knowledge in areas including couples therapy, treating sexual dysfunction and therapies for various addictions.
  • Prepare to play a crucial role as a high-demand professional, working to heal and strengthen marriage, couple and family relationships.

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

  • Public Agencies
  • Private Practices
  • Mental Health Facilities
  • Church Counseling Centers

COUN 593A Internship in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (3), plus three courses from the following:

Featured Courses
COUN 546Marital & Couple Therapy3
Provides an understanding, demonstration and application of various models and techniques for working with married and non-married couples. Prerequisite: COUN 545 or concurrent. Cross-listed with CES 746.
COUN 547Models of Family Therapy3
Examines models of family systems therapy and techniques. Helps beginning family therapists develop a model of practice and apply models to clinical cases. Cross-listed with CES 747.
COUN 548Theories of Human Sexuality3
Introduces students to historical, environmental, biological, psychological, sociocultural, and biblical perspectives on human sexuality. Emphasis will be placed on issues in human sexuality across the life span, theories of sexual dysfunction, as well as sexuality and Scripture. Prerequisite: COUN 540.
COUN 555Expressive Approaches in Trauma Treatment3
Expressive arts interventions play an integral role in how the mind and body heal from posttraumatic stress. This course examines treatments such as play, art, music, equine, drama therapy, yoga, and sandtray which can be used as stand-alone models or an enhancements to more traditional, evidence-based therapy methods. Cross-listed with CES 655. Prerequisites: COUN 521, COUN 526, and COUN 538.
COUN 563Theories of Attachment & Affect Regulation3
Examines principles of affect regulation – how humans regulate their emotions, by drawing on theories of attachment and interpersonal neurobiology. Characteristics of attachment security are explored, including how complex trauma and disrupted attachment may lead to difficulty in personality organization, compulsive behaviors, and relationship issues. Experientially-based therapeutic interventions are identified. Cross-listed with CES 751.
COUN 593 A&BInternship in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling3
Be assigned to work at a professional setting in which marital, couple & family counseling is the modality of treatment, closely supervised on site by a trained marriage, couple & family professional. Culminating experience to apply the knowledge and experience gained during counselor training program as a member of a professional team. In addition to supervision on site, participate in a weekly internship seminar led by a professor on the counseling faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. Pass/No Pass.

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 CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

A Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) allows students who have earned or who are in the process of earning a 60 credit master's level degree in counseling to complete additional coursework to pursue career opportunities, state licensure or specialty certification. Students currently enrolled in an M.A. in Counseling at Regent University may choose to enroll in a CGS before reaching 30 credits hours and utilize federal financial aid. Students beyond the 60 credit hours required for the degree are not eligible for federal financial aid for the CGS.

A student who is not currently enrolled in the School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC) who wishes to complete the CGS must apply as a nondegree student. All courses must be taken at Regent. Courses cannot be transferred into the certificate programs. All requirements for the CGS must be completed within five years. Students who earn an M.A. in Counseling through the SPC cannot earn a CGS in the same subject as their major, and they must have completed at least one semester of the M.A. program before applying.

A maximum of 12 CGS credits may be allowed toward a degree if a nondegree student later applies for regular degree-seeking status. The applicant must submit the additional material required for degree status. The admissions committee will consider the application in the same way it would a new applicant.

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: 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

Submit 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. Please upload your document to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: 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.

Certificate of Graduate StudiesTuition Cost Per Credit HourTotal CreditsTuition Cost for Certificate
Clinical Mental Health Counseling$7309$6,570
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling$73012$8,760
School Counseling$73012$8,760
Trauma Counseling$73012$8,760

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.

Complete 12 credit hours.

Certificate must be completed within 5 years.

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

“I wanted a rigorous doctoral program that could travel with me wherever I was in the country. I found this and more at Regent.”

Heather Paessler-Chesterton, Ph.D., 2009 Counselor Education and Supervision

“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 realized this is a place where I could grow and really be empowered in my future.”

Bethany Eisenhart, Psy.D., 2018 Clinical Psychology

“At Regent, I loved the integration of Christian values that were wrapped tightly in a strong academic degree. I felt completely academically prepared to go out and help people, but I also had that very foundational core belief system that was strengthened unbelievably.”

Jada Jackson, B.A. in Communication 2009; MA in Human Services Counseling 2010 President & TV Host, Total Life Counseling; Advisor, Listeners On Call; Author; Licensed Mental Health Counselor

“Two degrees down, one to go! So happy to have completed my master’s in psychology!”

Ally Duggins, M.S. in Psychology, 2020 Co-Founder, Willow House Media