Certificate of Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Certificate of Graduate Studies in Mental Health Counseling, offered online and on campus in Virginia Beach, is a professional certificate that can serve as an endorsement to licensure and for counselor continuing education for additional state credentialing requirements. This is not for initial licensure. Presented from a Christian worldview, this graduate certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling may help advance your career as a mental health professional by equipping you with specialized counselor training and providing additional state credentialing requirements.
Through the Clinical Mental Health Counseling certificate, you can:
- Understand how to choose, administer, score and interpret these and other assessment instruments in counseling: achievement, aptitude, intelligence, interest and personality.
- Explore interventions and self-care in clinical, disaster, crisis and traumatic situations, including emergencies in which triage, support, referral and advocacy is required.
- Examine abnormal behavior as defined by the DSM, as well as diagnosis, treatment and spiritual dimension of these disorders and potential cultural overrides.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
2024-25 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 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
A Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS) allows students who have earned or who are in the process of earning a 60 credit master’s level degree in counseling to complete additional coursework to pursue career opportunities, state licensure or specialty certification. Students currently enrolled in an M.A. in Counseling at Regent University may choose to enroll in a CGS before reaching 30 credits hours and utilize federal financial aid. Students beyond the 60 credit hours required for the degree are not eligible for federal financial aid for the CGS.
A student who is not currently enrolled in the School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC) who wishes to complete the CGS must apply as a nondegree student. All courses must be taken at Regent. Courses cannot be transferred into the certificate programs. All requirements for the CGS must be completed within five years. Students who earn an M.A. in Counseling through the SPC cannot earn a CGS in the same subject as their major, and they must have completed at least one semester of the M.A. program before applying.
A maximum of 12 CGS credits may be allowed toward a degree if a nondegree student later applies for regular degree-seeking status. The applicant must submit the additional material required for degree status. The admissions committee will consider the application in the same way it would a new applicant.
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, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
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
Submit 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. Please upload your document to regent.edu/items.
Step 5: 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.
| Certificate of Graduate Studies | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $730 | 9 | $6,570 |
| Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling | $730 | 12 | $8,760 |
| School Counseling | $730 | 12 | $8,760 |
| Trauma Counseling | $730 | 12 | $8,760 |
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.
Complete 9 credit hours.
Certificate must be completed within 5 years.
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.