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Graduates in a classroom: Explore Regent's online MA in Human Services - Grief Counseling program.

M.A. in Human Services – Grief Counseling

Help Others Overcome Loss

Do you seem to have a gift of offering emotional support and guidance that leads others to restoration and hope? The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Services – Grief Counseling, offered online, is a non-licensure master’s in human services that will prepare you to care for those who have encountered loss. Courses are taught using a combination of real-time interaction with professors, small-group projects, podcast lectures, and asynchronous chat room discussion.

Online
30
January 13, 2025
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Broaden Your Reach

Explore how to minister in contexts of death and dying, community trauma, and disaster through this grief counseling specialization.

Practice the Skills Needed Most

Understand the stages of grief and how to help others tap into the power of inner healing and forgiveness.

Become a Master of Self Care

Master tools to guard yourself and others from extended stress and burnout.

Our award-winning faculty, located in Virginia Beach and beyond, instruct from a Christian worldview.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the M.A. in Human Services – Grief Counseling degree, you can:

  • Explore ministry-based responses to grief and bereavement.
  • Learn advanced lay counseling intervention strategies, techniques, and supportive caregiving activities.
  • Identify spiritual challenges and resources that can impact grieving and its outcomes.
  • Gain 50 hours of supervised field experience.

Career Opportunities

  • Grief Counselor
  • Chaplain
  • Hospital or nursing home administrator
  • Pastoral care pastor
  • Funeral home liaison
16%
Projected growth in social and human services employment from 2016-2026
Featured Courses
HSC 525Advanced Counseling Skills & Techniques3
Continuing experiential application of significant personality theories and practice of more advanced counseling skills. Overview of the techniques and practices derived from the major psychotherapeutic systems relevant to these more advanced skills. Emphasis on the demonstration, modeling, practice and evaluation of these core skills and techniques. Prerequisite: HSC 524. Cross-listed with MHPS 625.
HSC 561Community & Crisis Counseling3
Continuation of Models & Strategies with more advanced lay counseling intervention strategies, techniques, and supportive care-giving activities. Examines such topics as models of inner healing and forgiveness, critical incidents and crisis counseling, community trauma and disaster, chaplaincy issues, and stress/burnout issues. Presents a multicultural focus as it relates to intervention strategies and ministry. Cross-listed with PAC 561 and MHPS 761.
HSC 565Grief & Bereavement3
A review of the research, theory, and models of grief and bereavement across all phases of the grief process. Exploration of factors that complicate and help with grief will occur. Basic approaches and techniques of competent grief counseling will be covered. Cross-listed with MHPS 665.
HSC 566Counseling Ministry for the Bereaved3
Explores ministry-based responses to grief and bereavement. Pastoral counseling and mental health models designed for ministry contexts will be examined. Particular attention will be given to the spiritual challenges and resources that can impact grieving and its outcomes. Cross-listed with MHPS 666.

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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

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: 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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9456$5,670
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$94512$11,340

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6156$3,690
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6956$4,170
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7306$4,380
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6953$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

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts in Human Services (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)$6159$5,535
Master of Science in Psychology (MS)$6959$6,255
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in School Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)$7309$6,570
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling & Psychological Studies (PhD)$6956$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)$9006$5,400
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)$90012$10,800

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“I choose Regent for its professional thoughtful and approach to education, but what shaped me was the mentoring faculty and my cohort experience.”

Chris Hull, Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, 2009 Head of Graduate Counseling, John Brown University; Board of Directors Chair, CACREP

“I would recommend Regent's counseling programs to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of others and of themselves.”

Karen Palmer, M.A., 2011 Human Services

“If you are focused, determined, willing to put in the work and make sacrifices, anyone can do this. I give all praise to God. Keep going no matter what.”

Antonio Tuck, M.A. in Counseling, 2020 Human Services Professional

“I'm grateful for my Regent mentors. Their emphasis on relationships and guidance has helped me navigate a challenging yet rewarding journey.”

Alexandra Melchiorre, M.S. in Psychology, 2018 Registered Behavioral Technician

“As a Navy chaplain, I appreciated how Regent's master’s program integrated the best of science with faith and how it was designed with the flexibility I needed.”

Rob Hess, M.S. in Psychology, 2019 Chaplain, U.S. Navy