Richmont Graduate University

What Richmont Graduate University does

Richmont Graduate University is a private, faith-based graduate institution founded in 1973 (originally as Atlanta Clinical College, renamed Richmont Graduate University in 2008) and headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, with its primary operating campus in Atlanta, GA. It serves graduate students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in clinical mental health counseling, ministry leadership, and related fields, with a distinctive model that integrates Christian theological perspectives with professional clinical training. The institution operates across two physical campuses (Atlanta and Chattanooga) and an online modality serving all 50 states, delivering courses primarily through the Canvas learning management system and providing library resources via participation in the GALILEO and GPALS consortia.

The university's core academic portfolio includes the CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (reaffirmed through 2034), a Master of Science in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration, four master's degrees in ministry (with concentrations in Anglican Studies, Spiritual Formation, and Trauma/Theology/Ministry), a Doctor of Ministry program, and twelve graduate certificate programs spanning specialties such as Trauma Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Addictions, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Christian Sex Therapy, and Spiritual Direction. Supporting infrastructure includes three affiliated counseling centers (Henegar Counseling Center in Chattanooga, Richmont Trauma Center, and Hope/Cumberland Counseling Centers) that serve as clinical training sites while delivering community mental health services. Other branded assets include The Chalice podcast, the THRIVE wellness program, and the Conversations Journal.

Richmont generates revenue primarily through graduate tuition across degree programs, supplemented by fees from continuing education workshops serving licensed mental health professionals, and charitable contributions via its Annual Fund, Scholarship Fund, and Planned Giving programs. Federal grant support adds a secondary revenue stream, including a four-year, $1.9 million HRSA grant secured in 2021 for clinical counseling expansion to underserved communities. The university is governed by an independent Board of Trustees with no parent company and no disclosed venture capital or private equity ownership.

Name

Richmont Graduate University

Legal name

Richmont Graduate University

Website

https://richmont.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Richmont Graduate University is a private Christian graduate institution offering CACREP-accredited master's degrees in clinical mental health counseling and ministry degrees, serving students via two campuses (Atlanta, Chattanooga) and a fully online modality across all 50 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graduate Education (Counseling and Ministry)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Graduate counseling education
• Clinical mental health training
• Ministry graduate degrees
• Spiritual formation programs
• Graduate certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Graduate Tuition: Richmont generates primary revenue through tuition for its master's and doctoral degree programs in counseling and ministry. Tuition covers graduate-level education in clinical mental health counseling and ministry leadership.
2. Continuing Education: The university offers dozens of continuing education (CE) events throughout the year, providing CE credits for mental health professionals for a fee.
3. Donations and Annual Fund: Richmont receives charitable contributions through its Annual Fund, Scholarship Fund, and Planned Giving programs to supplement tuition revenue and support operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Richmont Graduate University delivers graduate-level academic programs (master's degrees and a Doctor of Ministry) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Christian Ministry/Leadership, alongside 12+ graduate certificate programs in counseling specialties, all grounded in integration of Christian faith with clinical and ministerial practice. Programs are delivered via two physical campuses (Atlanta and Chattanooga) and a fully online modality, supplemented by continuing education workshops, clinical training sites, and the Chalice podcast for community engagement.

Product overview

Richmont Graduate University is a Christian graduate institution offering a portfolio of degree programs and certificates through two academic schools: the School of Counseling (CACREP-accredited) and the School of Ministry. The core academic products include master's degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), Mental Health Care and Christian Integration (M.S.), Ministry (M.A.) with various concentrations (Anglican Studies, Spiritual Formation, Trauma/Theology/Ministry), and a Doctor of Ministry program. The institution complements its degree offerings with 12 graduate certificates spanning specialties such as Trauma Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Addictions Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Christian Sex Therapy, and Spiritual Direction. Supporting services include clinical counseling centers (Henegar Counseling Center, Richmont Trauma Center), The Chalice podcast for public engagement, the THRIVE campus wellness program, and continuing education workshops. The university operates across three modalities (Atlanta campus, Chattanooga campus, and online) providing flexible access to its educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Chalice Podcast: Podcast focused on mental health and Christian faith featuring counseling and ministry experts

Products and services

• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP-accredited master's degree program training students to become licensed professional counselors. The program integrates Christian faith with clinical mental health counseling theory and practice. Available on-campus in Atlanta and Chattanooga, plus fully online modality across all 50 states.
• M.S. in Mental Health Care and Christian Integration Master's degree program focused on integrating mental health care with Christian theological perspectives, preparing graduates for ministry and counseling roles that combine clinical insight with pastoral formation.
• M.A. in Ministry Leadership Master's degree program in ministry leadership preparing students for various ministry roles in church and community settings, with core training in biblical/theological foundations, leadership, and spiritual formation.
• M.A. in Ministry: Anglican Studies Concentration Specialized master's degree track focusing on Anglican traditions, theology, liturgy, and ministry practices within the broader M.A. in Ministry program.
• M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Direction Master's degree program training students in spiritual formation practices, contemplative prayer, and spiritual direction methodologies for service in churches and faith-based settings.
• M.A. in Trauma, Theology, and Ministry Master's degree program integrating trauma studies with theological and ministry training to prepare students for trauma-informed ministry in church and community contexts.
• Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Leadership Doctoral-level program in the School of Ministry focused on spiritual formation and leadership development within Christian contexts. Designed for working ministry professionals seeking the terminal degree in ministry.
• Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate certificate program preparing students for marriage and family therapy practice, including AAMFT-approved supervision for licensure.
• Graduate Certificate in Trauma Counseling Graduate certificate focused on trauma-informed counseling approaches and treatment methodologies for professional counselors.
• Graduate Certificate in Christian Sex Therapy Specialized certificate integrating Christian perspectives with sex therapy training for couples and individuals.
• Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counseling Certificate program focused on developmental psychology and counseling approaches specific to children and adolescents.
• Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling Certificate program training students in evidence-based approaches to addiction counseling and recovery support.
• Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction Certificate program training students to provide spiritual direction services within faith-based contexts.
• Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice Advanced certificate for experienced counselors seeking enhanced clinical skills and supervision credentials.
• Continuing Education Programs Ongoing professional development offerings including workshops, seminars, and CEU courses for alumni and mental health professionals. Includes events such as Complex Trauma Summer Training Institute, ethics workshops, and Lunch & Learn sessions that provide CE credits for licensure renewal.

Quantifiable outcome

• CACREP accreditation reaffirmed through 2034

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cumberland Counseling CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024Cumberland Counseling Centers assumed operations of Hope Counseling Centers (originally founded by Richmont) in January 2025. The partnership establishes counseling centers within local church facilities providing affordable services to parishioners and communities while serving as clinical training sites for Richmont counseling interns. Both organizations share commitment to faith-based, accessible mental health services.
• Georgia State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partnership where PSI offered diploma in Christian counseling through Georgia State University for over 25 years, providing advanced professional training and research within a Christian context.
• Chattanooga Bible InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChattanooga Bible Institute merged with Psychological Studies Institute in August 2000, formalizing a working relationship that began in 1997 and contributing to Richmont's Chattanooga campus.
• GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online)coreTechnology or IntegrationRichmont Libraries participate in GALILEO consortium providing students and faculty access to over 500,000 electronic books, millions of academic articles, subscription databases, and streaming video through services like Psychotherapy.net and Symptom Media.
• Barnes & Noble CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRichmont Libraries maintain an online bookstore partnership with Barnes & Noble College for students to purchase required course textbooks in physical or electronic formats.
• Hope Counseling CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichmont-affiliated counseling center in Atlanta providing community mental health services and clinical training opportunities for Richmont interns.
• Henegar Counseling CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichmont-affiliated counseling center in Chattanooga named for Ellen Sharp Poindexter, serving both university community and general public with mental health services and clinical training sites.
• Richmont Trauma CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized trauma counseling center affiliated with Richmont, led by Clinical & Senior Director Deanna Davis, providing trauma-focused services and training opportunities.
• Formatio/InterVarsity PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConversations Journal partnered with Formatio line of InterVarsity Press to continue producing spiritual formation content through Formatio's monthly newsletter after journal publication ended.
• New Life Church (Canton, Georgia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partnership under Richmont's Church Connection Strategy; hosts visits to share about university programs with congregation members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Liberty University's Department of Counselor Education offers CACREP-accredited online and residential M.A. programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Christian worldview emphasis. As a much larger institution with national online reach, Liberty is a broad incumbent peer competing for the same faith-aligned graduate counseling students.

Direct peers

• Biola University: Biola's Rosemead School of Psychology and graduate counseling programs integrate Christian faith with clinical training, including CACREP-accredited programs. Biola is a direct peer in size, faith-based mission, and CACREP-accredited counseling graduate offerings.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Fuller offers a Doctor of Ministry and M.A. programs integrating theology and psychology with clinical training. It is a direct peer in graduate theological education with adjacent emphasis on psychology and mental health practice.
• Regent University: Regent University's School of Psychology & Counseling offers CACREP-accredited M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a Christian integration focus. It is a near-direct peer in both faith-based positioning and CACREP-accredited counseling graduate programs.
• Asbury Theological Seminary: Asbury offers Doctor of Ministry and M.A. programs in ministry and biblical studies within an evangelical Wesleyan tradition. It is a direct peer in graduate theological education with a similar denominational and academic positioning.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Gordon-Conwell offers M.A., M.Div., and Doctor of Ministry programs with evangelical theological emphasis. It is a direct peer in graduate theological education and seminary-level ministry training.
• Wheaton College Graduate School: Wheaton's Graduate School offers M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Psy.D. programs with an evangelical Christian integration similar to Richmont's. It is a direct peer in faith-integrated CACREP counseling graduate education at similar scale.
• Denver Seminary: Denver Seminary offers M.A. and Doctor of Ministry programs with emphasis on spiritual formation and counseling within an evangelical tradition. It is a direct peer in graduate theological education and ministry leadership training.
• The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology: The Seattle School offers graduate programs in counseling and theology that integrate Christian faith with clinical mental health practice. It is a direct peer in faith-based integration of counseling and ministry training, though smaller and West Coast-based.

Regional players

• Tyndale University: Tyndale University in Canada offers M.A. and Doctor of Ministry programs with evangelical Christian integration including counseling-focused programs. It is a regional peer in faith-based graduate education with comparable mission and program structure.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/49395925700
• Xx.com/richmontgradu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hope-counseling-center

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Richmont Graduate University