Admissions & Aid

Admission Requirements & Process

Admission to Belmont’s Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D. requires completion of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

For applicants whose master’s degree does not satisfy educational requirements for state license in a mental health profession, additional coursework may be required in order that the student is eligible for licensure upon graduation from the Ph.D. program. Depending on deficiencies, this could result in an applicant’s being required to take up to an additional 21 semester hours of coursework for the Ph.D. degree. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to maintain enrollment in the program.

This program follows a rolling admissions process. Admissions decisions are made as applications are completed. To be considered for admission to Belmont’s Mental Health Counseling, Ph.D. program, the applicant must:

• Submit an application including an essay statement of professional interests and desired outcomes for participation in the program.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential for successful doctoral-level graduate work.
• Complete an interview with the Mental Health Counseling faculty.
• Submit a complete curriculum vitae and/or professional resume.
• Submit official transcripts from all prior regionally accredited college-level work.
• Submit an official GRE score no more than five years old, preferably three years or less.
• Be proficient in the English language.*
• Pay the graduate application fee.

Full admission will be granted only after transcripts confirming successful completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are received.

Students must pass all coursework, a qualifying examination and dissertation/oral examination within specified time limits to graduate.

*International applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take either TOEFL or IELTS.

Tuition & Aid

2025-2026 Tuition

2025-2026 Consolidated Graduate Student Fee

Applying for Financial Aid

To determine your eligibility for any financial aid, graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online and should be completed each year. Complete and return the FAFSA by the February 15 priority date.

Belmont will start the financial aid awarding process by February 15 each year. Please allow approximately four weeks to receive a response. Once all the forms are received, your file will be reviewed.

Learn more about the Financial Aid Process