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An alumna: Explore Regent's PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies – Human Services for Student Affairs.

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services for Student Affairs

Fill the Need for Principled Leaders in Education with a Student Affairs Degree

Imagine the positive impact you could have on future generations. Regent’s Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services for Student Affairs prepares you for a career in the areas of mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. Through this advanced degree, you will expand your expertise regarding the intellectual growth, moral development, values, career choice, and psychosocial changes of students. If you’re a scholar seeking to impact the culture beyond the Ph.D. counseling arena and don’t need professional accreditation, then this student affairs degree is for you.

Online
51
October 23, 2023
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Grow as an Influencer

Use leadership, advising, administration, and supervision skills to foster a positive, honoring learning environment.

Champion Student Success

Study and practice how to promote positive change during the highly transformative student season.

Expand Your Career Marketability

Gain doctoral credentials to advance in leadership roles with higher salary opportunities.

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 Student Affairs Degree, You can:

  • Integrate research to efficiently process student appeals and grievances.
  • Collaborate with psychiatric services on crisis issues.
  • Advise and report on intellectual growth, moral development, and psychosocial changes.
  • Understand governance and legal issues within higher education.
  • Explore how to navigate faith in a post-Christian culture.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty/Leadership
  • Researcher/Writer
  • Mental Health Services Executive
  • Academic Guidance Director
  • Student Services Program Director
  • Chief Student Affairs Officer
  • Dean of Students
7%
Projected employment growth for psychologists from 2021-31 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
An examination of the historical underpinnings of student affairs, the numerous departments under student affairs, the administrative interaction between student affairs and other university departments, and administrative theory relevant to the student affairs administrator.
Centers on the need for the continuance of Christian colleges and universities in a post-Christian culture. Particular emphasis placed on the strategies, objectives and goals that can best insure the future continuance of the spiritual mission and Orthodox beliefs of Christian colleges and universities. Cross-listed with EHEA 602.
An examination of issues relevant to college students. Topics may include intellectual growth, moral development, values, career choice, psychosocial changes, and the role of extracurricular activities. Cross-listed with EHEA 501.
Provides historical and contemporary legal issues that have and will continue to shape colleges and universities today. Discusses legal issues regarding the college and trustees, administrators and staff. Investigates the legal basis of higher education in the United States to include constitutional provisions and federal statutes that influence higher education policy. Prepares emergent administrators for preventative law measures in an increasing litigious environment. Cross-listed with EHEA 503.

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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 11Monday, August 21
Session BFriday, October 13Monday, October 23
Session CThursday, January 4Monday, January 8
Session DFriday, March 1Monday, March 11
Session EFriday, April 26Monday, May 6
Session FFriday, June 7Monday, June 17

Prerequisites:

Ph.D. applicants must:

  • Hold a regionally accredited 30 hour master's degree in a mental health field, such as counseling, psychology, social work or pastoral counseling. Completed coursework should include, but is not limited, to the following: research or statistics, counseling skills, ethics and group counseling, or family systems.
  • 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.

Step 7: Online Interview
Interviews for this Ph.D. program are completed for each applicant after all above mentioned items have been submitted. Participation in this online Skype or phone interview is mandatory as a portion of the application review process. It is expected that the candidate will be willing to discuss personal history within the interview process.

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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9006$5,400
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$90012$10,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9006$5,400
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$90012$10,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“My time at Regent left me with a desire for excellence. I believe that was something that was already instilled in me but my education here challenged me even more.”

Eric Ferguson, M.A. in Counseling, 1997 Founder, Metanoia Missions International

“Regent opened up so many opportunities for further training and further education.”

Melanie Mosbarger, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2016

“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

“Regent was a pivotal point in my professional career. I have been forever changed by my experience!”

Richard Mason, Ph.D. , 2007 Counselor Education & Supervision

“"God ordained all the circumstances, and I simply made the step of faith to follow."”

Marina Kuzmina, M.A. in Counseling, 2010 Community Counseling