Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – General Counseling & Psychology Studies
Design Your Own Path in Counseling & Psychological Studies
Do you have specialized interests that span multiple areas of counseling and psychology? The online General Counseling & Psychological Studies concentration gives you the freedom to craft a doctoral experience uniquely suited to your scholarly and professional aspirations. Built on Regent’s rigorous Ph.D. core in research, statistics, psychometrics, and Christian leadership, this flexible concentration allows you to select from a diverse array of advanced courses across our mental health and psychological studies offerings. Whether you’re integrating multiple specialty areas, pursuing emerging fields, or charting an innovative career path, this concentration empowers you to design a program of study that reflects your distinctive vision for scholarship and service.
Advance Your Career Potential
Open new opportunities in salary and leadership roles through a doctoral degree designed around your unique professional goals and interests.
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 — while pursuing the specialized knowledge that aligns with your calling.
Pursue Academic Excellence
Experience Regent, ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2024. Courses are taught from a Christian worldview by renowned faculty in Virginia Beach and beyond.
Design Your Own Track
Select from a diverse range of advanced courses to build a concentration that reflects your distinctive scholarly interests. This flexible option lets you integrate multiple specialty areas or chart an innovative path without being constrained by traditional concentration boundaries.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – General Counseling & Psychology Studies Concentration degree, you can:
- Pursue roles in teaching, mentoring, or developing educational content related to psychology, counseling, leadership, ministry, or human services.
- Apply your knowledge in church, parachurch, or nonprofit settings, offering biblically informed care, discipleship, and pastoral counseling while equipping others for effective ministry.
- Step into leadership roles in a variety of settings based on the courses you choose to take.
- Serve as a life coach, consultant, or counselor in non-licensure settings, providing support in areas such as marriage and family enrichment, crisis care, trauma-informed services, and personal or professional development.
Career Opportunities
- Teaching
- Ministry
- Leadership
- Non-licensure Counseling
- Consultant/Coaching
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
2025-26 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 15 | Monday, August 25 |
| Session B | Friday, October 17 | Monday, October 27 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 7 | Monday, January 12 |
| Session D | Friday, March 6 | Monday, March 16 |
| Session E | Friday, May 1 | Monday, May 11 |
| Session F | Friday, June 12 | Monday, June 22 |
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 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 paper 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) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $4,380 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 6 | $4,500 $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) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA) | $750 (On-Campus) $730 (Online) | 9 | $6,750 $6,570 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD) | $995 | 6 | $5,970 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $1,025 | 12 | $12,300 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
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 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.