Trevecca Nazarene University Graduate Programs Guide 2026

Trevecca Nazarene Graduate Programs Overview

Trevecca Nazarene University has grown from its 1901 founding as a training school for ministers into a comprehensive university offering more than 25 graduate programs across seven academic schools. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Trevecca serves as the official university of the Church of the Nazarene in the southeastern United States while welcoming students from diverse faith backgrounds. The university’s mission centers on providing “education for leadership and service” within a Christian community that values both intellectual rigor and spiritual formation.

The graduate catalog for 2024-2025 reveals an institution that has strategically expanded its professional program offerings while maintaining its distinctive Wesleyan-holiness identity. Programs span the Skinner School of Business, the Graduate Counseling Program, the School of Education, the Physician Assistant Program, the School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry, and the School of Music and Worship Arts. This breadth means a student interested in healthcare administration and one pursuing worship leadership share the same campus and institutional values while following entirely different academic pathways.

Accreditation reinforces the quality of these programs. Trevecca holds regional accreditation from SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges), and individual programs carry specialized accreditations including CACREP for counseling, CAEP for education, and programmatic accreditation for the Physician Assistant Studies program. For students evaluating faith-based and professional graduate education, Trevecca’s combination of denominational roots and recognized accreditation is a meaningful differentiator.

Business Programs MBA DBA and Specialized Masters

The Skinner School of Business anchors Trevecca’s professional graduate education with a portfolio of programs designed for working professionals. The flagship MBA operates on a 22-month cohort model that allows students to maintain their careers while completing the degree. For those seeking faster completion, a 13-month accelerated MBA option condenses the same curriculum into a more intensive timeline. Students who want a focused credential without a full master’s degree can pursue the Micro MBA Certificate, which covers five core MBA courses across 12 credit hours.

Beyond the MBA, Trevecca’s business school offers remarkable specialization. The Master of Science in Management (MSM) follows a 20-month cohort format, while the Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management leverages Nashville’s position as a global entertainment capital through an 18-month program. Healthcare professionals can choose between the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at 18 months and the Master of Public Health (MPH). Technology-oriented students have three pathways: Computer Science Management (MSCSM), Data Analytics Management (MSDAM), and Information Technology Management (MSITM).

The Doctor of Business Administration represents Trevecca’s most advanced business credential. Offered 100% online across 32 months, the DBA provides multiple career tracks including Higher Education, Consulting and Coaching, Healthcare Administration, Interdisciplinary Learning, Leadership in the Age of AI, Organizational Intelligence, and Enterprise Leadership and Management. This variety of doctoral concentrations is unusual for a university of Trevecca’s size and reflects deliberate investment in meeting the needs of senior professionals across industries. Additional certificate programs in Data Analytics and Human Resources round out the business offerings, providing stackable credentials that can stand alone or complement a master’s degree.

Counseling Programs Clinical Mental Health and Marriage Family

Trevecca’s graduate counseling programs represent one of the university’s strongest academic areas, backed by full CACREP accreditation that was first earned in 2015 and extended to the online doctoral program in 2022. The department offers three distinct degrees, each calibrated to prepare graduates for specific professional licensure pathways in the growing mental health field.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 60 semester hours and prepares students for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and LPC-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) credentials. The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling, also 60 semester hours, targets the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential. Both master’s programs combine theoretical coursework with substantial supervised clinical experience, reflecting CACREP’s emphasis on practitioner competence.

The PhD in Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision builds on the master’s foundation with a 66-semester-hour curriculum that prepares graduates for academic and supervisory roles in the counseling profession. This doctoral program fills a critical need as the demand for qualified counselor educators continues to outpace supply nationally. For students comparing CACREP-accredited programs, Trevecca’s integration of faith perspectives with evidence-based clinical training offers a distinctive approach that resonates with practitioners who view spiritual health as integral to client well-being. Programs like these complement what students might find at other specialized master’s programs at peer institutions worldwide.

Education Programs MAT MEd EdS and EdD

The School of Education, accredited by CAEP since 2022, offers one of Trevecca’s most comprehensive program suites. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) provides initial licensure pathways for both K-5 and 6-12 levels, with a curriculum structured around 30 credit hours of coursework plus 6 hours dedicated to student teaching or transitional licensure requirements. This 36-hour total ensures graduates enter classrooms with both theoretical preparation and supervised practice.

For already-licensed educators, the Master of Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed./CAI) offers a 30-semester-hour program focused on P-12 instructional improvement. The Master of Education in Educational Leadership prepares aspiring principals through Instructional Leadership License (ILL) preparation, with options for both school-level and district-level licensure. A licensure-only pathway in Educational Leadership is available for those who already hold a master’s degree and simply need the administrative credential.

Trevecca also serves specialized education niches. The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) prepares school librarians with both a degree and endorsement, a program that has earned national recognition. The M.Ed. in Visual Impairments addresses a critical shortage area in special education, while the M.Ed. in English as a Second Language provides PreK-12 ESL endorsement. The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Accountability and Instructional Leadership offers a 30-hour post-master’s degree for educators seeking advanced leadership credentials without committing to a full doctoral program.

At the doctoral level, the Ed.D. in Leadership from the School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies provides both face-to-face and online pathways. This program targets experienced professionals seeking to transform educational institutions through research-informed leadership practice. The breadth of education offerings makes Trevecca a one-stop destination for educators at every career stage, from initial licensure through the doctorate.

Physician Assistant and Healthcare Programs

The Graduate Physician Assistant Program represents Trevecca’s entry into healthcare professional education. The program awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSM-PA) and emphasizes clinical competency grounded in the university’s service-oriented mission. Technical standards for admission ensure that students can meet the physical and cognitive demands of clinical practice, from patient examination to emergency response.

Healthcare administration is addressed through the MHA program’s 18-month cohort format, designed for professionals already working in healthcare who need management credentials. The Master of Public Health takes a broader population-health perspective, preparing graduates for roles in community health, epidemiology, and health policy. Together with the DBA’s Healthcare Administration track, Trevecca offers healthcare professionals multiple credential pathways matched to different career trajectories.

Nashville’s status as a major healthcare hub adds substantial value to these programs. The city is home to HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit hospital systems in the world, along with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Community Health Systems, and dozens of healthcare startups. This concentration of healthcare employers creates clinical placement opportunities, networking connections, and employment pathways that few university locations can match. Students in Trevecca’s healthcare programs benefit from proximity to both established healthcare institutions and the innovation ecosystem growing around Nashville’s healthcare corridor.

Leadership Theology and Worship Degrees

The School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies offers the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), a 33-credit-hour program completed over two years through eleven courses, most lasting six weeks each. This modular format is specifically designed for working professionals who need leadership development without disrupting their careers. The MAOL covers organizational behavior, strategic communication, team dynamics, and change management through a servant-leadership lens consistent with Trevecca’s Wesleyan values. A pending addition, the Master of Arts in Corporate Learning and Talent Development (MACLTD), awaits SACSCOC approval and will expand options for human capital professionals.

The Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry serves students preparing for pastoral, academic, and community ministry roles. The M.A. in Church and Community focuses on practical ministry leadership, while the M.A. in Theology and Biblical Studies provides deeper academic preparation for those considering doctoral work or teaching. Both programs reflect the Nazarene tradition’s emphasis on Wesleyan theology, sanctification, and holistic Christian formation.

The School of Music and Worship Arts offers four master’s degrees that capitalize on Nashville’s unique position as the epicenter of contemporary Christian music and worship innovation. The M.A. in Worship serves worship leaders seeking deeper theological and practical preparation. The M.A. in African American Worship and Leadership Studies addresses a significant gap in graduate theological education by centering the traditions, history, and contemporary practices of Black worship. The M.A. in Worship and Business Management bridges artistic ministry with the administrative skills needed to lead music and worship organizations. The M.A. in Worship and Leadership combines worship studies with broader leadership development. Few universities anywhere offer this depth of graduate worship education, making Trevecca a destination for worship professionals globally.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Trevecca’s graduate admission process varies by program but follows a consistent institutional framework. The university maintains separate admission pathways for standard applicants, conditional admission based on GPA, conditional admission for other requirements, international students, readmission, transfer credit, prior learning credit, and second master’s degree candidates. This structured approach ensures that each applicant receives appropriate evaluation regardless of their background or circumstances.

Program-specific requirements reflect the nature of each discipline. The MBA and business programs have their own admission policies and procedures administered through the Skinner School of Business. The counseling programs maintain rigorous admission standards consistent with CACREP requirements, including evaluation of personal fitness for the counseling profession. The Physician Assistant program specifies detailed applicant requirements including prerequisite coursework, healthcare experience hours, and technical standards compliance. International students follow additional procedures including English proficiency documentation and visa requirements.

Conditional admission pathways demonstrate Trevecca’s commitment to access. Students who do not meet all standard requirements, whether GPA-related or otherwise, may be admitted conditionally and given the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity for graduate-level work. This approach aligns with the university’s mission of serving students who might be overlooked by more rigid admission systems while maintaining academic standards through structured support and monitoring.

Faith Integration and Christian Community

Trevecca’s identity as a Nazarene university is not merely historical — it actively shapes the graduate experience. The institution operates under the Articles of Faith and the Covenant of Christian Conduct of the Church of the Nazarene, with a stated commitment to the “authority of the Bible, tradition, reasoned thought, and experience of Christian holiness.” The Agreed Statement of Belief outlines eight core convictions including Trinitarian theology, the inspiration of Scripture, original sin and salvation, sanctification, and the return of Christ.

For graduate students, this faith integration manifests in several ways. Required religion courses ensure that every graduate engages with theological foundations regardless of their program. Chapel services, revivals, and spiritual life development programming create community rhythms that distinguish the Trevecca experience from secular alternatives. Faculty are expected to integrate Christian perspectives into their teaching, meaning a counseling student explores the intersection of faith and therapy, a business student examines ethical leadership through a biblical lens, and an education student considers teaching as calling.

The institutional operational goals emphasize service to the Church of the Nazarene, preparation of servant-leaders, mentoring relationships, Christian community building, and spiritually formative programs. For prospective students who seek an explicitly faith-informed graduate education, these commitments provide clarity about what Trevecca offers. For those from other traditions or those exploring faith, the Wesleyan-holiness approach tends toward hospitality and personal spiritual development rather than rigid doctrinal gatekeeping, making the environment welcoming while remaining distinctively Christian.

Career Outcomes and Professional Preparation

Trevecca’s graduate programs are designed with professional outcomes as a primary driver. The counseling programs’ CACREP accreditation directly enables graduates to pursue LPC, LPC-MHSP, and LMFT licensure, credentials that are increasingly required by employers and insurance companies. The education programs’ CAEP accreditation and state licensure pathways ensure graduates meet Tennessee requirements for teaching and administrative certification. The PA program prepares students for the PANCE certification examination required for clinical practice.

Business graduates benefit from Nashville’s dynamic economy, which extends well beyond music and tourism. The city’s healthcare, technology, publishing, and entertainment sectors provide diverse employment opportunities for MBA, MHA, and specialized master’s graduates. The DBA’s multiple career tracks, including Higher Education, Consulting and Coaching, and Leadership in the Age of AI, reflect evolving market demands that doctoral business education increasingly needs to address.

The worship and theology programs prepare graduates for roles that span traditional pastoral ministry, worship leadership, music industry positions, and academic teaching. Nashville’s position as the center of Christian music publishing and recording gives Trevecca worship graduates unique access to an industry that employs thousands of professionals in production, songwriting, artist management, and worship technology. The M.A. in African American Worship and Leadership Studies positions graduates for leadership in one of the most vibrant and historically significant worship traditions in American Christianity.

Teaching assistantship and clinical placement experiences embedded throughout the programs build practical competencies that employers value. Cohort-based program formats also create professional networks that graduates carry into their careers, providing ongoing peer support and referral connections that enhance long-term career development.

Nashville Location and Campus Resources

Nashville’s transformation into one of America’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas has created a graduate education environment that amplifies Trevecca’s academic programs. The city’s healthcare corridor, anchored by HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, provides clinical training sites and employment pipelines for PA, MHA, and MPH students. The entertainment industry, centered on Music Row and the burgeoning East Nashville creative district, creates opportunities for worship, communication, and business students that no other city can replicate at the same scale.

Trevecca’s campus provides the infrastructure needed for graduate-level work across its diverse programs. The university library system, academic computing facilities, counseling clinic spaces, and PA program laboratories support discipline-specific learning. The campus community reflects the university’s commitment to creating a holistic environment where academic rigor, spiritual growth, and professional development coexist. Graduate students, while often balancing studies with careers and families, are integrated into campus life through program-specific events, chapel opportunities, and professional development workshops.

Financial support mechanisms include federal financial aid eligibility, institutional scholarships, and employer tuition assistance partnerships. The catalog addresses satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid, refund policies, and veterans’ benefits, reflecting a student services infrastructure designed for the financial realities graduate students face. For prospective students comparing options across graduate programs globally, Trevecca’s combination of Nashville location, faith-based community, comprehensive program portfolio, and recognized accreditation creates a distinctive proposition that few institutions can match.