Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Biblical Counseling
Inform Your Field With Science & Faith, Together
More than ever the field of psychology needs influential leaders who integrate science and faith. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Biblical Counseling prepares you for a career in the areas of mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. You will be positioned as an authority within these and other settings: church, community, mission field, or biblical counseling center. If you’re a scholar seeking to impact the culture beyond the Ph.D. counseling arena and don’t need professional accreditation, then this doctoral degree is for you.
Empower Your Calling
Grounded in scripture, this advanced track provides sound biblical interpretation and the application of theology to address human needs.
Gain Field Experience
Strengthen your skills through 150 hours of preapproved on-site experience and human services work.
Empower Your Career
Gain doctoral credentials to increase your opportunities and help you stand out in your field.
Presented from a Christian worldview, coursework is offered online and supported by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach and beyond.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
Through this Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Biblical Counseling degree, you can:
- Gain a solid foundation in research methods and field experience.
- Learn integrative Christian psychology approaches to treat people with behavioral and emotional issues.
- Learn to anchor your work in scientific, historical, and theological elements of counseling and psychology.
Career Opportunities
- University Faculty/Leadership
- Researcher/Writer
- Nonprofit Administrator
- Mental Health Services Executive
- Ministry or Nonprofit Program Director
- Church Counseling Consultant
2023-24 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 11 | Monday, August 21 |
Session B | Friday, October 13 | Monday, October 23 |
Session C | Thursday, January 4 | Monday, January 8 |
Session D | Friday, March 1 | Monday, March 11 |
Session E | Friday, April 26 | Monday, May 6 |
Session F | Friday, June 7 | Monday, June 17 |
Prerequisites:
Ph.D. applicants must:
- Hold a regionally accredited 30 hour master's degree.
- Have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA in your graduate level coursework.
- Have at least one year of experience in a mental health field (highly desirable).
- International Applicants who have studied at institutions outside of the United States, will need to submit a course by course evaluation showing the completion of a regionally accredited graduate degree.
Admissions Process:
Step 1: Application
Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
Step 2: Complete an Academic Background Questionnaire
Step 3: Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae to regent.edu/items.
Step 4: Unofficial Transcripts
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs, 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 institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor's and master's degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.
Step 5: Graduate Academic Paper
Please submit an APA formatted academic writing sample from your completed Master's Degree which will be 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. Please submit to regent.edu/items.
Step 6: 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.
Both local and international student applicants should allow at least 2-3 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.
All forms related to application to the Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies program may be requested through the School of Psychology & Counseling Admissions Office. Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4498 or 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.
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 |
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) | $800 (Fall & Spring) $650 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $650 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.