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Pursue an online Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies at Regent University

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies

An Advanced Degree for Mental Health Counseling, Research, Scholarship & Psychological Science

Are you a scholar seeking to impact culture outside the formal professional arm of psychology or counseling? Or, perhaps you’re seeking a mental health Ph.D. program to help you advance in international work and don’t need North American professional accreditation. Regent’s challenging Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree program includes a common core in research, statistics, psychometrics and Christian leadership. You’ll also choose elective courses that will prepare you for work in your specific area of interest.

Online
51
January 13, 2025

Become Highly Specialized

Choose the concentration that best fits your interests and career goals.

Advance Your Career Potential

Open new opportunities in salary and opportunity through this doctoral degree in counseling and psychological studies.

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.

Pursue Academic Excellence

Experience Regent, ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2020.

Courses are taught from a Christian worldview by renowned faculty in Virginia Beach and beyond.

Regent University ranked #2 of Top 25 Accredited Online PhD & Doctoral Degree Programs | Learn.org, 2020
Regent University Ranked #4 in the Top 35 Most Affordable Ph.D. in Psychology Online Programs, 2019 | AffordableSchools.net

Upon completion of the Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree, you will be able to:

  • Gain a solid foundation in research methods and applied field experience.
  • Learn to anchor your work in scientific, historical and theological elements of counseling and psychology.
  • Collaborate with professional peers and experienced clinical leaders through the planning and presentation of your dissertation.

Career Opportunities

  • University Faculty/Leadership
  • Researcher/Writer
  • Mental Health Services Executive
  • Guidance Director
  • Nonprofit Administrator
14%
Projected employment growth for psychologists from 2018-28 (much faster than average) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Addictions Counseling prepares you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. Receive the knowledge and skills needed to break new ground in behavioral health and make an impact on this social crisis.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Biblical Counseling provides sound biblical interpretation and the application of theology to address human need. It prepares you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education, psychological science, biblical counseling center and more.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Grief Counseling explores models of inner healing, forgiveness, critical incidents, crisis management, and community trauma and disaster. You will review factors that complicate and help with grief, and techniques of grief counseling in this program.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services Counseling will develop your expertise in children's and couples' counseling, marriage and parenting enrichment techniques, and divorce/remarriage conflict resolution. It will help to enhance your interpersonal and facilitator skills and provide an insight into biblical principles relevant to group dynamics.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Human Services for Student Affairs will expand your expertise regarding the intellectual growth, moral development, values, career choice, and psychosocial changes of students. This program will equip you to foster a positive learning environment.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – International will help you examine life span, marriage and adult relations from a multicultural perspective. Be equipped to engage mental health professions in international settings as a doctoral level professional.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Life Coaching will equip you to understand and apply both counseling and coaching to maximize client results. The program prepares you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education and psychological science.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Marriage & Family Ministry equips you to bring biblically based, scientifically supported reason and research to the mental health arena. Research critical areas, including forgiveness & grace, inner healing, conflict & crisis management, sexuality, eating disorders, child behavior, and more.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Pastoral Counseling draws from Christian psychology, mental health counseling and clinical pastoral education. Expand your expertise in marriage and family, substance abuse and crisis counseling.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Research focuses on advanced methods for data collection and analysis. Develop expertise in integrating research design principles to inform your work and to gauge the effectiveness of mental health programs.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling & Psychological Studies – Trauma & Crisis Counseling focuses on models of inner healing, forgiveness, critical incidents, crisis management, and community trauma and disaster. It will prepare you for a career in mental health counseling, research, education and psychological science.

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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

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies

$675 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


 

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)$550

2020-21 Tuition Rates

Degree Level / ProgramCost Per Credit Hour

Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies

$675 per credit (In-state & Out-of-state)


 

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)$600

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“I realized this is a place where I could grow and really be empowered in my future.”

Bethany Eisenhart, Psy.D., 2018 Clinical Psychology

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

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

“Truthfully, Regent changed my life. There's an element of gratification that comes along with doing what I know that God has called me to do.”

Jada Collins, M.A. in HSC, 2010 Human Services Counseling

“Regent University is a place where you'll be involved. There are so many opportunities through Regent that, if you're willing to go there, you're going to be afforded the opportunities.”

Toni Gines-Rivera, Ph.D., 2010 Counselor Education and Supervision

“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