Mission Statement
The Graduate Program in Religion at Trevecca Nazarene University seeks to provide women and men the opportunity to pursue graduate work in Bible and theology and pastoral counseling for service to the world through the church.
Student Learning Outcomes
The graduate of the Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) program should be able to:
- Discuss the nature and purpose of graduate study in light of the student’s present context, the student’s perception of divine calling, and the student’s educational goals, ;
- Formulate a theologically-grounded and contextually-applied description of the nature and mission of the church;
- Interpret biblical texts and Christian doctrine in a contextually appropriate manner;
- Design a spiritual formation plan that is theologically consistent and contextually suitable;
- Apply significant topics* in the student’s area of concentration to the student’s ministry context;
- Develop a well-researched and documented written and oral presentation on a specific topic emerging from the student’s concentration of study.
Admission Procedures and Policies
Admission
When applying for admission, each applicant must submit:
- Undergraduate transcripts — Transcripts should be sent by mail or fax to the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies Admissions, Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210.
- TOEFL scores (International students/students who speak English as a second language)
- 1 letter of recommendation
- Application
Admission decisions are based on the total picture prescribed by the applicants. No one item will necessarily lead to a denial of admission.
(1) Undergraduate Degree
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution evidenced by an official transcript. Any student who does not meet this requirement may be granted admission with “academic restriction” to the program by the graduate religion faculty if all other criteria have been met. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required for regular admission. If an applicant does not have the required GPA, the applicant may petition the director of the Graduate Religion Program to consider alternative evidence of scholastic ability, including graduate work from other schools or acceptable test scores. According to the recommendations of the graduate religion faculty, an applicant may be admitted with restrictions, or denied admission. Applicants admitted with academic restriction may be granted regular admission upon completion of his or her file and 9 semester hours with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
(3) Letter of Recommendation
One recommendation must be provided by each applicant. This letter should be from a former teacher, preferably a teacher in the field of religious studies, if possible. A reference form will be provided to the applicant.
(2) International Students
All international students are required to take the TOEFL. Any student for whom English is a second language may also be required to take the TOEFL before regular admission. (International students, see the Admissions section of this Catalog for TOEFL requirements.)
Admission Status
Students will be classified in the following ways:
1. Regular Admission
Admission file is complete and acceptable with no restrictions.
2. Admission with Academic Restriction
Prospective students who do not meet all requirements for Regular Admission may be granted Admission with Academic Restriction. The Admission with Academic Restriction status may become Regular Admission when the applicant completes nine (9) semester hours in the M.A. graduate program at Trevecca Nazarene University with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to meet all requirements for regular admission during the first nine (9) consecutive semester hours may result in disenrollment. Appeals may be made to the Graduate Religion Advisory Committee.
3. Candidacy Status
Students who have earned 24 hours of credit with a 3.0 GPA or better will be considered as candidates for the M.A. degree.
4. Graduate Transfer Students
An applicant who has earned graduate credit from another regionally accredited institution may transfer a maximum of 9 semester hours into the student's approved degree program. Transfer credits must carry a grade of B or higher in order to apply directly to the M.A. in religion program at Trevecca.
5. Dual Admission
Undergraduate students may begin their graduate work if they are within twelve hours of receiving their B.A. and are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in religion. Students in this category will be admitted with “academic restriction.”
6. Academic Probation
Any graduate student in religion will be placed on academic probation when his or her cumulative GPA falls below 3.0. The student will be informed in writing of the probation by the director and given no more than two semesters to raise the cumulative GPA to at least a 3.0. If the student does not raise the GPA within two semesters, he or she will be dismissed from the program.
Academic Counseling
In assisting the student in planning her/his course of study, academic counseling is provided to each student through the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies.