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 can prepare you for a career in the areas of mental health counseling, research, education, and psychological science. Through this advanced degree, you can 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.
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
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 B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
Prerequisites
Ph.D. applicants must:
- Hold a regionally accredited 30 hour master's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- Have at least one year of experience in a mental health field (highly desirable).
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.
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.
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
The Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies degree requires 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. This can be submitted to regent.edu/items.
Step 5: Graduate Academic Paper
Please submit an APA formatted academic writing sample that is 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. We do not accept case studies, literature reviews, or papers where you are not the sole author. Please submit to regent.edu/items.
Step 6: 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.
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) | $945 | 6 | $5,670 |
| Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) | $945 | 12 | $11,340 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| 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) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.