Richmont Graduate University: Integrating Faith and Education
Richmont Graduate University is a private Christian university with campuses in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. It aims to provide master's-level degrees in counseling, ministry, and psychological studies from a Christian perspective. Richmont's programs are known for academic and clinical excellence as well as an excellent student experience.
History and Accreditation
Richmont was formalized in 2000 when the Chattanooga Bible Institute (CBI, est. 1933) merged with the Psychological Studies Institute (PSI, est. 1973) in 2003. The Atlanta Clinical College was founded in 1973 by a group of Christian mental health professionals who explored integrating Christian faith and professional counseling. For more than 25 years, PSI offered a diploma in Christian counseling through its partnership with Georgia State. In August of 2000, Richmont opened a second campus in Chattanooga.
Three years later, Richmont received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In 2014, Richmont received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the gold standard for clinical mental health education programs. Richmont Graduate University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Mission and Values
Richmont Graduate University is founded on principles that adhere to the National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith, a statement affirmed by more than seventy denominations, representing a broad evangelical consensus.
The goal of the School of Ministry is to advance the Gospel by increasing the capacities of students to understand God's Word (Knowing), to become whole and holy people (Being), and to lead and serve effectively (Doing). In the midst of these goals, Richmont strives to provide a strong community, real-life training, and approachable educators equipped to bring life and experience into every setting. Richmont's training occurs within the context of a structured curriculum and supervisory relationships and is designed to equip graduates to facilitate spiritual growth, mental health, and relational healing. We are committed to academic and clinical excellence by educating counselors to be spiritually sensitive practitioners. The vision of the School of Ministry is to prepare men and women to fulfill God’s call to transformational ministry.
Read also: Funding Your Graduate Education
Academics
Richmont students can pursue master's degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP accredited), Ministry, Spiritual Formation and Direction, and Psychological Studies. The School of Counseling provides graduate programs that integrate counselor education and Christian faith.
Degree Programs
The Master of Science in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration (MS) degree was created for individuals who already possess a clinical degree and desire to integrate their faith in their practice as clinicians, or for pastors who want more training in applied counseling but without the clinical sequence of the CMHC program.
Graduate Certificates
Counseling students also have the option of pursuing a graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy, addictions, child and adolescent therapy, sex therapy, spirituality and counseling, and trauma counseling.
Faculty
Richmont boasts a diverse and experienced faculty, including:
- Cara Cochran, Ph.D.: Dean of the School of Counseling; Professor. Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marital and Family Therapist.
- Amanda Blackburn, Psy.D.: Vice President of Student Affairs; Professor of Counseling. Licensed Professional Counselor. Licensed Psychologist.
- Mary Plisco, Ph.D.: Director of Research; Professor. Licensed Psychologist.
- Stanley Hoover, Ph.D.: Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling; Associate Professor. Licensed Professional Counselor.
- Jenny L.: Assistant Director of Clinical Training; Associate Professor. Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor.
- Stephanie Keane, Ph.D.: Assistant Director of Clinical Training; Assistant Professor.
- Robert C. Duckworth, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor. Licensed Professional Counselor, Supervisor.
- Andrew Morse, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor. Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
- Emily Oliver, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
- Jack Underwood, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor. Licensed School Counselor.
- Ashley Bauman Ph.D.: Assistant Professor
- Kathleen E. Bazile, Ph.D.: Director of Clinical Training; Assistant Professor of Counseling
- Stephen P. Bradshaw, Ph.D.
- Charles Allen, Psy.D.
- Jerry A. Gladson, Ph.D.
- Kristel Headley, Ph.D.
- Laura Land, Ph.D.: Associate Professor
- William E. McGee, Ed.D.
- Amy Perkins, Ph.D.: Clinical Professor of Counseling; Staff Psychologist at Henegar Counseling Center
- Evalin Rhodes Hanshew, Ph.D.
- Jennifer Tipton, Ph.D.
- Jama L. White, Psy.D.: Professor Emerita
Admissions
All applications to Richmont are reviewed by the Admissions Committee on a rolling basis. The Committee reviews all applications from a holistic approach taking all aspects of the application into consideration. Richmont reviews applications on a “rolling basis.” This means that once you submit the application, we will review and let you know of a decision within approximately four weeks. As such, we encourage you to submit your application prior to the deadlines listed below. Applications may be accepted after the final deadline on a space-available basis only.
Read also: Graduate Fees at CMU
Doctor of Ministry Application Requirements:
Admission application with a $50 nonrefundable application fee
An acknowledgement that the applicant has reviewed the Statement of Faith
A 40 hours Master’s degree with 11 hours of Bible and Theology in Ministry or a related field of study
Three completed reference forms:
- Pastoral Reference
- Character reference
- Academic or professional reference
Resume
Academic Writing Sample
Personal Interview with the Dean of the School of Ministry and Program Director
A personal statement that outlines the applicant’s intent behind applying for the Doctor of Ministry at Richmont.
Get started on your path to becoming a Richmont student! We want to help you make the dream of attending Richmont a reality.
Admissions Events
Get to know Richmont through one of our admissions events! Information Sessions provide an overview of the Richmont experience, Explore Richmont events provide a half-day immersive experience, Preview Days introduce our School of Counseling, and Open Houses present our School of Ministry.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of the program is $794 per credit hour + applicable fees. In 2023, the cost of tuition at Richmont Graduate University was $0. The cost of tuition at Richmont Graduate University is $−15,164 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Special Focus Institutions ($15,164). Tuition only covers part of Richmont's operational expenses.
Community Counseling Centers
Prior to graduation, counseling students are required to complete an official practicum and internship. Like a medical residency, insured student interns begin practicing as therapists while under licensed supervision. Students complete their internships through Richmont's network of nine Community Counseling Centers.
Richmont hosts ten Community Counseling Centers throughout the Southeast to provide mental health services for clients including the Henegar Counseling Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the Hope Counseling Centers in Atlanta, Georgia. Each Richmont Counseling Center utilizes licensed mental health professionals, masters' level clinicians, and insured counseling interns. Staff members are ethnically and linguistically diverse. All licensed team members carry full client caseloads offering individual and group therapy. The university also partners with more than 60 agencies throughout metro Atlanta who utilize Richmont interns to offer on-site counseling services to their constituents.
Trauma Response
Richmont Trauma Response Teams are trained and available to meet acute trauma disasters locally, nationally, and globally. Richmont Trauma teams have been dispatched to assist with traumatic events, natural disasters, and training under served populations.
Financial Accountability
Richmont Graduate University is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Key Statistics (2023)
- Enrolled Students: 351
- Full-Time Enrollment: 43.6%
- Most Common Degree: Counseling Psychology (93 degrees awarded)
- Degrees Awarded to Women: 81.7%
- Degrees Awarded to Men: 18.3%
- Most Common Race/Ethnicity of Degree Recipients: White (76 degrees)
- 2022 Default Rate on Student Loans: 0%
- Endowment Value: $2.19M
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