
Richmont Graduate University is a private, Christian graduate institution with roots in counseling education. It previously operated under the name Psychological Studies Institute; its current name reflects a broader graduate-university identity.
That history helps explain why professional counseling and the integration of faith with graduate study remain central to Richmont's identity. Applicants comparing older references to Psychological Studies Institute with current Richmont materials should use the current university catalog to determine which institution and degree requirements apply to their intended program.
Richmont Graduate University specializes in graduate education rather than offering a broad range of undergraduate majors. Counseling is a principal academic focus, including graduate study directed toward clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy; the university also describes ministry-related graduate education.
Prospective students should compare programs by credential, curriculum, delivery format, and intended profession - not just by subject name. In particular, a counseling degree's required supervised practice, the accreditation of the specific program, and a state licensing board's rules can determine whether it fits a student's career plans. A graduate certificate or ministry credential should not be assumed to meet requirements for a clinical counseling license.
Richmont Graduate University is associated with Chattanooga, Tennessee, and also has an Atlanta, Georgia, presence. Students should confirm the location assigned to their particular program: a university may offer different courses, schedules, or services at each site and online.
Chattanooga is a city in southeastern Tennessee near the Georgia border. For students who attend in person, the practical questions are how often their courses meet on campus, whether clinical placements require travel elsewhere, and whether they need to arrange parking or a commute. A program described as online may still have in-person or site-based requirements, especially when supervised clinical training is involved.
Richmont presents its educational purpose through a Christian framework, with particular emphasis on preparing students for counseling and related service-oriented work. Its stated approach connects professional learning with faith rather than treating religious identity as incidental to the university.
Applicants should read the current mission statement and their program's curriculum to judge how that approach appears in coursework, clinical preparation, and expectations for participation. A Christian institutional identity does not, by itself, establish the requirements for a professional license or describe the beliefs of every student.
Name of the institution
Richmont Graduate UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, graduate with no undergraduate degreesInstitution size category
Under 1,000Richmont Graduate University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.