M.A. in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

Application Deadlines:

• Spring: December 1
  Cohorts are online only.
• Fall: July 1*
  Cohorts are both online and on-campus.

Important Note: If admitted to an online program, you will be required to attend and successfully complete two one-week residencies during the course of the program. Students have the option of attending residency in January or August.

Prerequisites:

Master’s applicants must:

• Hold a B.A. or B.S. from a regionally accredited college or university. Desirable degrees include those in counseling, psychology or related human behavioral fields. Other degree fields will also be considered.
• Have a minimum of a 3.00 GPA for all undergraduate coursework.

Application Process:

Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

Step 2: Complete an Academic Background Questionnaire Licensure Survey

Step 3: 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. Please submit to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts*
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcript from a U.S.-based school, which indicates successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to regent.edu/items.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

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.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution, which indicate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program. We will notify you if your previous institution will not release transcripts directly to us.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: Pre-Admissions Interview
Pre-admissions interviews for all licensure programs are by invitation only and completes your process prior to submitting your file to the admissions committee for their review. These required interviews are conducted online, and you must have both a webcam and microphone to participate. Your admissions counselor will provide information regarding interview days/times for you to register once your file is complete.

International student applicants should allow at least 4-6 weeks for an admission decision to be made once the applicant has submitted all required documents to the appropriate offices and has followed all processes and procedures required for an admission decision.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4498 or email psycounadmissions@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.

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

The mission of the Counseling Department is to provide training in professional counseling, leadership, advocacy, and research with the integration of biblical principles consistent with professional standards of practice.

Goal A: Quality Curriculum

To deliver the high-quality education required by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Goal B: Faith Integration

To provide leadership in the integration of sound and ethical clinical practice, skills and techniques within the context of Biblically based values.

Goal C: Competent Students: (Disaggregated by Program)

To graduate students who demonstrate proficient knowledge and skill in working with individuals and groups from a multicultural and pluralistic society in mental health service delivery modalities.

Goal D: Faculty

To provide students with didactic and supervised clinical experiences to meet the requirements to become licensed and certified as Professional Counselors or School Counseling and leaders in the field.

Upcoming Residency Dates

Fall 2023:

Residency A (On-Campus) – Sunday, August 6 – Friday, August 11, 2023

Residency B (Online) – Thursday, November 2 – Saturday, November 4, 2023

Spring 2024:

Residency A (On-Campus) – Tuesday, January 2 – Saturday, January 6, 2024

Residency B (Online) – Thursday, March 21 – Saturday, March 23, 2024

Any questions regarding residency should be directed to Academic Services Manager, Linda Harrell at lindha5@regent.edu.

Online students in our master’s counseling programs are required to participate in two week-long residencies from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Eastern Time). Residencies provide networking and mentoring opportunities for students; and facilitate discussions with faculty concerning relevant issues, course matriculation, licensure issues and state/national exams.

During residency, students will begin a course that will be completed during the remainder of the fall semester. First-year students will receive an orientation to Regent and participate in sessions on graduate level writing and online learning technology. The School of Psychology & Counseling usually provides lunch and two breaks daily when courses are in session.

Students should consider the following residency costs: transportation, lodging, meals and textbooks purchased prior to residency. We discourage students from bringing their families during residency as the coursework is intensive and requires a considerable amount of study and preparation time, leaving no time for extracurricular activities.

Waiving of residency requirements will not be considered.

1. Is the GRE required if I already have a master’s degree or am enrolled in a master’s program?

The master’s level programs require an entrance exam from either the GRE or the MAT. Waivers are only considered if the applicant has completed a doctoral degree with at least a 3.5 GPA from a regionally accredited college or university or completed a Juris Doctor (J.D.) with at least a 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited college or university.

2. Am I required to attend full time or may I go at my own pace?

Students may select from one of two progressions that allows them to take classes at a pace that works best for their own personal and professional schedules.

3. How many hours do you recommend a master’s student work per week?

Due to the number of hours you will be spending in and out of class studying, we suggest you work no more than 20 hours per week. There are a number of part-time graduate assistant positions available every semester at the university that allow for flexible schedules.

4. I didn’t major in psychology at the undergraduate level, what do I need to do to make up for this?

We do not require applicants to have majored in psychology at the undergraduate level. We do feel, however, that it is beneficial for applicants to have at least nine credit hours of psychology-related coursework. If you did not major or at least minor in psychology at the undergraduate level, you may want to consider taking additional undergraduate courses. Again, this is not a prerequisite for admission. Recommended courses include: Intro to Psychology, Research Methods/ Statistics, Personality Theory, Human Development, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Test & Measurements, Social Psychology and Physiological Psychology.

5. How many applicants do you have each year and how many applicants are admitted?

Each year we admit and enroll about 60 students into the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and 20 in the Human Services Counseling program. Last year we received over 300 applications.

6. What is the average age of the students?

The average age of the entering class of master’s student in the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is 34. The average age of the entering class of the master’s students in the Human Services Counseling program is 40.

7. What is the path for licensure for graduates from your program?

Licensure is different in each state. However, the general standard for licensure is completion of a 60 credit hour M.A. in Counseling with a major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling or Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling. Two years of supervision (post-degree) and a state licensure exam is what most states require to become licensed as a professional counselor or its equivalent. School Counseling licensure or certification is determined by the Board of Education in most states. (Usually an M.A. in Counseling in School Counseling is sufficient.) Students should examine the requirements for licensure in the state or states they would like to practice in the future.

To review syllabi for specific courses offered within the Counseling Department please email the Academic Services Manager, Linda Harrell (lindha5@regent.edu).

• B.S. in Professional Studies – Psychology
• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• M.A. in Human Services
• M.A. in Human Services – Addictions Counseling
• M.A. in Human Services – Christian Counseling
• M.A. in Human Services – Conflict & Mediation Ministry
• M.A. in Human Services – Human Services Counseling
• M.A. in Human Services – Marriage & Family Ministry
• M.A. in School Counseling
• M.S. in Psychology
• M.S. in Psychology – Addictions
• M.S. in Psychology – Marriage & Family
• Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry
• Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision