Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry

Through this Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry degree you will:

• 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

• Addictions Counseling
• Biblical Counseling
• Grief Counseling
• Human Services Counseling
• Human Services for Student Affairs
• International
• Life Coaching
• Marriage & Family Ministry
• Pastoral Counseling
• Research
• Trauma & Crisis Counseling

Application Deadlines:

Spring: December 1 | Summer: March 1 | Fall: July 1

All application materials, including in progress transcripts, test scores, etc. must be submitted to the Admissions Office by the deadline to be considered for the program.

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 ministry. 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: Application Fee
Pay the nonrefundable $50 application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

Step 3: Complete an Academic Background Questionnaire

Step 4: Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae. Please email to your admissions counselor at apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SPC Doctoral Application Pieces.

Step 5: 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 our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SPC Doctoral Application Pieces.

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 6: 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. Email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SPC Doctoral Application Pieces or fax to 757.352.4725.

Step 7: Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

Step 8: 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.

• 2019-20 Tuition Rates
• 2020-21 Tuition Rates

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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