Regis University’s Snapshot
~11
Online master’s programs
~$700
Per credit hour
~$21–42k
Typical total cost
Jesuit
Mission-driven institution
Key policies
Institution type
Private, nonprofit (Jesuit)
Regional accreditation
HLC
Admissions model
Rolling (most) · Deadline-based (counseling)
GRE/GMAT required
Not required
Faith integration
Jesuit values embedded in curriculum
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- CACREP
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here: Compare Regis University by What Matters Most
- Compare institutional strengths → Particularly strong in CACREP-accredited counseling, education, nonprofit leadership, and values-oriented healthcare administration
- Compare accreditation → HLC regional accreditation plus CACREP accreditation across all three counseling programs
- Compare learning environment → Small cohort sizes with mentorship-focused instruction rooted in Jesuit educational philosophy emphasizing ethics, reflection, and service
- Compare flexibility → Most programs offer rolling admissions and fully online delivery, though counseling degrees require supervised in-person practicum and internship placements
- Compare alternatives → Eastern University, Grand Canyon University, and Liberty University
What Regis University Is Known For
Regis occupies a specific niche in the online master’s landscape: it is a smaller, mission-driven Jesuit institution that prioritizes depth over breadth. For prospective students evaluating Regis, several strengths stand out.
This is Regis’s clearest differentiator. The university holds CACREP accreditation for its Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Counseling for Military and Veteran Populations programs. CACREP accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for counseling preparation — it affects licensure portability across states and is increasingly required or preferred by employers. Students exploring clinical psychology master’s programs or family therapy degrees should weigh this credential heavily.
Regis’s Jesuit identity is more than a tagline. It shapes curriculum design around ethical reasoning, service orientation, and reflective practice. For students in counseling, healthcare, or education fields — where ethical decision-making is core to the profession — this philosophical grounding can be meaningfully different from a secular or large-scale-enrollment approach. That said, students who do not value a faith-informed educational lens should factor this into their decision.
The MS in Health Services Administration benefits from Regis’s proximity to Denver’s healthcare ecosystem, including large hospital systems and public health organizations. While the program is fully online, the curriculum reflects healthcare leadership competencies relevant to the region and beyond. Students interested in online MHA programs will find Regis competitive at the intersection of healthcare and values-driven leadership.
Regis offers M.Ed. programs in Adult Learning, Training, and Development as well as Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment — both at 30 credits with rolling admissions. These are designed for professionals who cannot pause careers to earn a degree.
Unlike large-enrollment online programs where class sizes can reach into the hundreds, Regis maintains smaller cohorts. Students who prefer more direct faculty interaction and a tighter learning community may find this a meaningful advantage.
Online Master’s Programs by Subject
Regis University’s online master’s catalog is focused rather than sprawling. Programs cluster in five primary subject areas, with a few additional offerings. Below is a structured overview grouped by subject.
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | 36 | ~$25,200 | No | No | Concentrations in Finance & Accounting, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Operations Management, Strategic Management. Accelerated tracks available. |
| MS in Organizational Leadership | MS | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | Focused on leadership development for mid-career professionals. |
Regis’s MBA does not hold AACSB accreditation — a factor that matters for students targeting roles where AACSB is a screening criterion. For a comparison, see our guide to AACSB-accredited online MBA programs .
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MA | 60 | ~$42,000 | No | Yes | CACREP |
| MA in Marriage and Family Therapy | MA | 60 | ~$42,000 | No | Yes | CACREP |
| MS in Clinical Counseling for Military and Veteran Populations | MS | 60 | ~$42,000 | No | Yes | CACREP |
All three counseling programs require supervised clinical practicum and internship hours, which involve site-based (in-person) work. These are not fully asynchronous degrees. Admissions are deadline-based (fall and spring starts), not rolling. Students exploring broader options can visit our psychology programs hub or clinical psychology programs for comparison.
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. in Adult Learning, Training, and Development | MEd | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | Designed for corporate trainers, instructional designers, and adult education professionals. |
| M.Ed. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | MEd | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | Built for working K-12 teachers seeking curriculum and assessment expertise. |
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Health Services Administration | MS | 36 | ~$25,200 | No | No | Focused on healthcare leadership and operations management. |
For students comparing healthcare master’s options, our MHA programs guide covers the broader landscape.
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Criminology | MS | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | — |
Students comparing criminology and criminal justice programs can explore our criminal justice programs hub .
| Program | Degree | Credits | Est. Cost | GRE | In-Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA in Communication | MA | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | — |
| Master of Nonprofit Management | MNM | 30 | ~$21,000 | No | No | Designed for professionals in nonprofit leadership and social enterprise. |
How Regis University Compares
Prospective students often consider Regis alongside other faith-based or mid-size institutions with overlapping program areas. Here is how Regis stacks up against three comparable universities in the OMC system.
| Dimension | Regis University | Eastern University | Grand Canyon University | Liberty University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Private nonprofit, Jesuit | Private nonprofit, Christian | Private nonprofit (for-profit origin), Christian | Private nonprofit, Evangelical |
| Online Master’s Programs | ~11 | Moderate catalog | Very large catalog | Very large catalog |
| Program Breadth | Focused: counseling, education, business, healthcare | Focused: education, counseling, business, leadership | Broad: 100+ programs across many fields | Broad: 100+ programs across many fields |
| Counseling Accreditation | CACREP (3 programs) | CACREP for select programs | Not CACREP for all counseling programs | CACREP for select programs |
| Business Accreditation | No AACSB | No AACSB | No AACSB (ACBSP) | No AACSB (ACBSP) |
| Approx. Per-Credit Cost | ~$700 | Varies by program | ~$550–$650 | ~$565 |
| Class Size / Cohort Model | Small cohorts, mentorship focus | Small cohorts | Large enrollment | Very large enrollment |
| Distinctive Strength | CACREP counseling + Jesuit mission | Faith-integrated counseling + education | Scale, variety, and affordability | Scale, affordability, military-friendly |
Key takeaways:
- Regis offers a more selective, mentorship-oriented experience than the large-enrollment models at Grand Canyon University or Liberty University . But it comes at a higher per-credit cost and with far fewer total program options.
- Eastern University is the closest comparison in scale and faith-based orientation, but Regis differentiates through its Jesuit identity and stronger CACREP counseling portfolio.
- Students who prioritize CACREP accreditation, smaller class sizes, and a Jesuit values framework will find Regis distinctly positioned. Students who prioritize breadth, lower cost, or brand-name scale may be better served elsewhere.
Regis University Is
Best For
Regis University’s online master’s programs are a strong fit for specific student profiles:
- Students pursuing licensure-track counseling careers who need CACREP-accredited programs , particularly in clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or counseling for military and veteran populations.
- Working professionals who value smaller cohort sizes and direct faculty mentorship over the large-enrollment, self-paced model common at scale-focused online universities.
- Students who want a Jesuit educational framework — meaning curriculum grounded in ethics, social justice, reflective practice, and service — integrated into their graduate program.
- Healthcare professionals seeking administration credentials through a values-oriented lens, particularly those in or connected to Colorado’s healthcare sector.
- Working K-12 teachers needing a flexible, fully online M.Ed. that they can complete without leaving the classroom, with rolling admissions and a manageable 30-credit scope.
- Practitioners serving military and veteran communities — Regis’s MS in Clinical Counseling for Military and Veteran Populations is a rare, specialized offering not widely available online.
- Nonprofit and social enterprise professionals looking for a mission-aligned master’s credential in nonprofit management.
Not a Best Fit For
Regis is not the right choice for every online master’s student. These are the honest tradeoffs:
- Limited program breadth. With approximately 11 online master’s programs, Regis cannot compete with the catalog depth of large-scale online universities. Students looking for niche specializations in IT, data science, engineering, nursing, or public health will not find those options here.
- Higher cost than many alternatives. At approximately $700 per credit, Regis is significantly more expensive than large public universities offering online master’s programs and far more expensive than competency-based options like Western Governors University . A 60-credit counseling program at Regis costs approximately $42,000 — a meaningful investment that students should weigh against lower-cost CACREP-accredited alternatives.
- No AACSB accreditation for business programs. Students who need or strongly prefer an AACSB-accredited MBA will need to look elsewhere. This matters most for students targeting Fortune 500 employers or competitive corporate roles where AACSB is a screening filter.
- Counseling programs are not fully online. Despite being marketed as online programs, Regis’s three counseling degrees require supervised clinical practicum and internship hours at approved sites. This means students must arrange in-person placements in their local area — a significant logistical factor for fully remote learners or those in underserved regions with limited clinical sites.
- Small alumni network and limited national brand recognition. Regis is well-regarded in Colorado and within Jesuit education circles, but it does not carry the brand weight of a large research university or a nationally known online institution like Southern New Hampshire University or Arizona State University . For students where institutional name recognition is a career factor, this matters.
- Faith-based educational philosophy may not suit everyone. The Jesuit framework is not religiously prescriptive, but it does embed values of service, social justice, and ethical reflection into curriculum design. Students who prefer a strictly secular educational environment should factor this in.
Featured Programs / Top Picks
This is the program that sets Regis apart in the online master’s market. CACREP accreditation is the highest standard in counseling program quality, and it directly affects licensure portability and employer preference. The 60-credit curriculum prepares students for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials in most states. The program requires supervised clinical hours, which ensures graduates have practice-ready skills — but also means this is not a sit-anywhere, fully asynchronous degree. For students committed to a counseling career, this accreditation is worth paying attention to. Compare options on our clinical psychology programs page .
Regis’s MBA stands out not for its overall business credentials (it lacks AACSB) but for its healthcare administration concentration — a natural extension of the university’s healthcare-adjacent identity. At 36 credits and approximately $25,200, it is a reasonable investment for healthcare professionals moving into leadership. The no-GMAT/GRE policy and rolling admissions lower the barrier for working professionals. Students also exploring operations-focused business degrees may want to review operations management MBA programs .
A practical, 30-credit degree built for working teachers who want to deepen their curriculum design and assessment skills without leaving the classroom. Fully online, rolling admissions, and a clear career application for K-12 educators. At approximately $21,000, it is competitively priced for a private nonprofit M.Ed.
Admissions Snapshot
GRE/GMAT Requirement: Not required for any online master’s program at Regis. Students evaluating no-GRE options broadly can explore our online master’s programs with no GRE requirement .
Admissions Model:
- Most programs (MBA, M.Ed., MS programs): Rolling admissions with multiple start dates per year
- Counseling programs (CMHC, MFT, Military/Veteran Counseling): Deadline-based admissions with fall and spring cohort starts
Typical Application Requirements:
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions
- Personal statement or essay (varies by program)
- Professional resume
- Letters of recommendation (typically required for counseling programs; may be optional for business and education programs)
- Counseling programs may require additional materials such as writing samples or interviews
Minimum GPA Expectations:
- Generally, a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA is expected; some programs may consider applicants below this threshold with additional documentation or professional experience
Application Fee: Varies by program; some application fee waivers may be available
Tuition & Cost Overview
Per-Credit Tuition Rate: Approximately $700 per credit hour across online master’s programs
Estimated Total Cost by Program Length:
| Program Length | Credits | Estimated Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| 30-credit programs (M.Ed., MS, MA, MNM) | 30 | ~$21,000 |
| 36-credit programs (MBA, MS in Health Services Admin) | 36 | ~$25,200 |
| 60-credit programs (Counseling: CMHC, MFT, Military/Vet) | 60 | ~$42,000 |
Cost Context:
Regis’s per-credit rate positions it in the mid-to-upper range for private nonprofit online programs. It is notably more expensive than large public university online programs (many of which fall in the $400–$600 per-credit range) and significantly more than competency-based models. However, it is comparable to other small private nonprofits with similar accreditation profiles.
The 60-credit counseling programs represent a substantial financial commitment. Students should factor in additional costs for clinical practicum placements (travel, supervision fees) that are not captured in tuition alone.
Financial Aid & Military Benefits:
- Federal financial aid (FAFSA) is available
- Regis participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and accepts military tuition assistance
- Scholarship opportunities exist , but vary by program
- Students may also want to explore student loan forgiveness programs — particularly relevant for counseling graduates entering nonprofit or government service
Visit Regis University’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
Regis’s program offerings are relevant to several OMC rankings that can help students compare options:
- Online Master’s Programs With No GRE Requirement — All of Regis’s online master’s programs waive the GRE/GMAT, making it a relevant option in this category. This ranking helps students see the full landscape of no-GRE programs across institutions.
- AACSB-Accredited Online MBA Programs — Regis’s MBA does not appear on this list because it lacks AACSB accreditation. Students who need that credential should use this ranking to identify programs that hold it.
- Part-Time Online MBA Programs — Regis’s MBA is flexible enough for part-time study, and this ranking provides useful context for working professionals comparing part-time MBA options.
FAQ
Yes. Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is one of the six regional accreditation bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This is the accreditation standard that matters most for credit transfer, employer recognition, and financial aid eligibility.
Yes. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and MS in Clinical Counseling for Military and Veteran Populations all hold CACREP accreditation. This is a significant credential — it affects licensure portability across states and is increasingly preferred or required by employers and licensing boards.
Yes. All three counseling programs require supervised clinical practicum and internship hours, which must be completed at approved sites. Students need to arrange clinical placements in their geographic area. These programs are not fully asynchronous or fully remote.
No. Regis does not require the GRE or GMAT for any of its online master’s programs, including the MBA and counseling programs.
Tuition is approximately $700 per credit hour. Total program cost ranges from approximately $21,000 for 30-credit programs to approximately $42,000 for 60-credit counseling programs. Additional costs for clinical placements (counseling programs) should be factored in.
No. Regis’s MBA does not hold AACSB accreditation. Students who need or prefer AACSB accreditation for career purposes should consider other options — our AACSB-accredited online MBA guide covers available programs.
Most non-counseling programs (MBA, M.Ed., MS programs) use rolling admissions and flexible scheduling that accommodate working professionals. However, these are structured courses with set timelines — not self-paced or competency-based. Counseling programs follow a cohort model with fixed start dates and sequenced coursework.