Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry
Called to Reinvigorate this Societal Pillar?
The definitions of marriage and family are changing in our post-modern culture. You could be a rising voice and principled leader to bring biblically based, scientifically supported reason and research to the mental health arena. The Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry prepares you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. This marriage and family counseling degree is for the scholar seeking to impact the culture beyond the Ph.D. counseling arena who doesn’t need professional accreditation.
Build Confidence Through Depth & Breadth
Research critical areas, including forgiveness & grace, inner healing, conflict & crisis management, sexuality, eating disorders, child behavior, and more.
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 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 marriage and family counseling degree, you can:
- Develop techniques that bridge family participation in the therapeutic process.
- Integrate research methods that enrich marriage and foster a deeper understanding of spousal needs.
- Introduce conflict resolution techniques that improve communication and strengthen the family unit.
Career Opportunities
- University Faculty/Leadership
- Researcher/Writer
- Mental Health Services Executive
- Marriage & Family Program Director
- Nonprofit Administrator
- Chaplaincy Leader/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 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
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.