Overview
A Journey that Transforms
The Master of Arts in theology and biblical studies takes students on a path to meaningfully understand and live out what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century.
Trevecca’s graduate program in theology and biblical studies offers students an exploration of foundational, timeless and transformative truths in a contemporary context. While guiding students through up-to-date research and commentary, the program also challenges them to apply emerging methods of theological and biblical study to some of the most critical issues of our time, including:
- Human relationships
- How theology can inform our engagement with a quickly-diversifying culture
- The ever-increasing capacities for technology to reshape how we think and use our imaginations
- How our beliefs should cause us to approach topics such as gender, economics, race, and creation care
- The question of what it means to live faithfully in community with other Christians and how theology should impact all parts of life, from our smallest daily interactions to service in ministry
As part of the program, students will also spend significant time studying what it means to live out theological truths as they relate to race, culture, hospitality and a sense of place.
Coursework is designed to be impactful on multiple levels. The aim is for students to experience much more than just gaining head knowledge, but instead to draw together their context, academic content and their experience of formation to ask, ‘How does this shape who I am, and the way I engage the world?’
To this end, spiritual formation exercises are woven into every course. Classical practices such as reading Scripture, daily prayer and the practices of silence and simplicity are used throughout the program. Students are encouraged to bring their whole selves and come away transformed.
Although the program is 100 percent online, students have the option of attending conferences, spiritual formation retreats and summer intensives. This offers both the opportunity to experience face-to-face interaction and finish the program more quickly (in as few as 18 months instead of 24 months.)
Some summer intensive classes are held on our Nashville campus, while others include domestic and international trips. For example, in the summer of 2022, a course is being planned that will offer students the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to study the life, ministry and theology of John Wesley.
This degree provides an excellent enrichment opportunity for those who are currently serving in ministry, as well as offering preparation for individuals who desire to become pastors, chaplains, educators, nonprofit directors or take on any role in full-time or part-time ministry. It’s also a wonderful option for lay people who seek to gain a foundation in biblical and theological studies, or for anyone personally interested in learning more about Scripture.
Faculty
News
Core Classes
Wesleyan Theology and the Life of the Church
An exploration of Wesleyan theology, hermeneutics and embodied Christian practice for today’s post-Christian contexts.
Theology, Race, and Culture
This course examines a biblical vision of the human being, the image of God, the human relationship to sin, the tendency toward dehumanization and a vision for the redemption of humanity. Special focus will be given to racial dehumanization and a Christian response.
A Christian Theology of Hospitality
An examination of the theological theme of hospitality in Scripture and the life of the church throughout history, with particular attention to the unique responses of the people of God to poverty and immigration.
A Christian Theology of Place
An examination of God’s activity in relationship to place and the theme of place and land in Scripture and Christian history. Emphasis will be given to the unique Christian vision of God’s redemptive activity in particular places and a community-based (parish) model of Christian life and ministry.
Mercy, Justice and Law in Old Testament Faith and Practice
Within the broader context of the covenantal faith of the Old Testament, an exploration of specific practices of mercy, justice and law within the Old Testament and the manner in which the trajectory of those practices continue to inform and shape communities and human relationships in diverse contexts today.
Discipleship, Family and New Creation in New Testament Faith and Practice
Within the broader context of community in the New Testament, an exploration of specific practices of discipleship, family and new creation within the New Testament and the manner in which the trajectory of those practices continue to inform and shape communities and human relationships in diverse contexts today.
Theology of Christian Spirituality
An integrative exploration of the biblical, historical, theological, and doctrinal resources for spirituality, allowing the student to account for the reaction to faith in consciousness and practice.
Contemporary Theology
An exploration of various contemporary theological movements and methods, giving particular attention to Wesleyan-holiness theology in a 21st century context.
Program Details
Total Credit Hours
32
Program Length
18-24 months
(Optional summer intensive courses are offered as part of this program. Participating in summer intensives can allow for a student to complete the program is as little as 18 months.)
Mode
100 percent online
Additional Information
Although the program is 100 percent online, students have the option of attending conferences, spiritual formation retreats and summer intensives. Some summer intensive classes are held on our Nashville campus, while others include domestic and international trips. For example, in the summer of 2021, plans are underway to offer a course in the United Kingdom on the life, ministry and theology of John Wesley.
Locations/Modes
This program is fully online with options for face-to-face engagement if desired.
For the past 20 years, Trevecca has offered fully online academic programs that allow students to earn their degree in a format that works for them. We understand life is busy and you may not have time to attend classes on campus. Whether you’re a working adult or simply live outside Nashville, we make it easy to focus on one class at a time, any time—24/7.
At the same time, we recognize some students value a face-to-face educational experience. Through on-campus conferences and optional summer intensives on Trevecca’s campus, along with courses periodically offered in various domestic and international settings, you can gain opportunities for growth and learning alongside your colleagues and professors.
Aside from these face-to-face options, all classes are taught online with books and materials delivered to your front door. Online students also benefit from a cohort model, where students begin and complete their degree alongside a group of other online classmates working toward similar goals.
With our digital programs, you can expect the same level of quality and rigor that Trevecca has provided students since its inception in 1901. Trevecca is committed to holistic education, encouraging students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The Carnegie Foundation has classified Trevecca as a doctoral university, ranking it among the top seven percent of schools nationwide. Regionally, the Nashville Business Journal named Trevecca as the fastest-growing university in Middle Tennessee in 2019.
Outcomes/Careers
The Master of Arts in theology and biblical studies prepares graduates to serve in a variety of roles and is an ideal degree for anyone interested in learning more about Scripture or theology. It provides a robust foundation for those serving in or preparing for full-time, part-time or lay ministry—as well as for those in the home or in any profession who desire to integrate a gospel lens into their calling and vocation.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Pastoral ministry
- Youth ministry
- Children’s ministry
- Pastoral counseling
- Education
- Nonprofit work
- Missions
- Chaplaincy
Financial Aid/Costs
Worried about the future? We’ve got you covered!
At Trevecca, we understand we’re in unprecedented times. We believe you should be free to follow your dreams without fear. If you’re unable to complete a course due to COVID-19, we’ll refund the course cost to you. Full details can be found here.
How much will it cost?
| Tuition | Credit Hours | Program Length | Tuition Costs |
| $463/credit hour | 32 | 18-24 months | $14,816 |
How am I going to pay for it?
- Federal loans are available to all eligible students who complete a FAFSA
- Employer tuition reimbursement opportunities
- Monthly payments through Trevecca make fulfilling tuition requirements more manageable
- Military benefits such as Yellow Ribbon and GI Bills are accepted by Trevecca University
How do I qualify?
- Fill out your FAFSA. Based on your income, you will know how much federal financial aid you are eligible to receive.
- Talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement opportunities
- For military benefits, contact the Academic Records Office at 615-248-1268
Admissions
Getting Started
- Complete the online application (it's free!).
Need help applying? Read the step-by-step instructions here! - Fill out FAFSA to be considered for financial aid
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution
Admissions Requirements
- Have earned a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency or the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Students who do not meet these degree requirements may be conditionally accepted in accordance with the Conditional Admission Policy
- 2.7 cumulative GPA for all prior coursework
- Provide photocopy of government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport). This requirement ensures that Trevecca complies with the U.S. Department of Education expectations for student verification. (This is only required for students enrolled in an online program.)
- Some proficiency with computer technology and reliable access to technology throughout the program
- Upon admission, students must successfully complete Introduction to Graduate Theological Studies (THE 6005) before progressing through the remainder of the program.
Not sure if you meet the admissions requirements? We’re here to help! Fill out the form to be connected with an enrollment counselor who will walk with you every step of the way during the admissions process.
FAQs
Who is this program designed for?
How do most people use this degree?
Can I obtain this degree if I don’t have an academic background in theology or biblical studies?
Are students from any denominational background welcome in the program?
Can I use this degree to go into a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program?
Can I use this degree to become a licensed pastor or chaplain in any denomination?
How does this lead to ordination in the Church of the Nazarene?
What are the technology requirements for this program?
Testimonial
I began earning my master’s degree from Trevecca at a point in my ministry when I needed to take that next step. I had been serving as a youth pastor and had begun to take on more responsibility. But I’d only preached a handful of times in my life.
The program provided a framework for expressing the doctrine of a holy life. The professors at Trevecca are committed to equipping and nurturing students in a holistic way. We ate, prayed, laughed and cried together. The experience was vital in shaping me as a person. It provided a clear view of doctrine and the resources to teach, preach and share the love of God. The coursework, from exegesis to practice, offered the training and confidence to be the pastor I am today.
The program also offered me a connection to friends, professors and ultimately to God that I desperately needed. The relationships I built in my cohort are indescribable. Fellow classmates became friends. These were relationships I did not know I needed beforehand. A fellow graduate now ministers in a neighboring community alongside me. His friendship is invaluable. The master’s program afforded an invaluable resource of relationships and knowledge that I simply could not have found anywhere else.
Matt Hastings (’07)
Senior Pastor, Church of the Nazarene
Nashville, Tennessee
Overview
A Journey that Transforms
The Master of Arts in theology and biblical studies takes students on a path to meaningfully understand and live out what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century.
Trevecca’s graduate program in theology and biblical studies offers students an exploration of foundational, timeless and transformative truths in a contemporary context. While guiding students through up-to-date research and commentary, the program also challenges them to apply emerging methods of theological and biblical study to some of the most critical issues of our time, including:
- Human relationships
- How theology can inform our engagement with a quickly-diversifying culture
- The ever-increasing capacities for technology to reshape how we think and use our imaginations
- How our beliefs should cause us to approach topics such as gender, economics, race, and creation care
- The question of what it means to live faithfully in community with other Christians and how theology should impact all parts of life, from our smallest daily interactions to service in ministry
As part of the program, students will also spend significant time studying what it means to live out theological truths as they relate to race, culture, hospitality and a sense of place.
Coursework is designed to be impactful on multiple levels. The aim is for students to experience much more than just gaining head knowledge, but instead to draw together their context, academic content and their experience of formation to ask, ‘How does this shape who I am, and the way I engage the world?’
To this end, spiritual formation exercises are woven into every course. Classical practices such as reading Scripture, daily prayer and the practices of silence and simplicity are used throughout the program. Students are encouraged to bring their whole selves and come away transformed.
Although the program is 100 percent online, students have the option of attending conferences, spiritual formation retreats and summer intensives. This offers both the opportunity to experience face-to-face interaction and finish the program more quickly (in as few as 18 months instead of 24 months.)
Some summer intensive classes are held on our Nashville campus, while others include domestic and international trips. For example, in the summer of 2022, a course is being planned that will offer students the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to study the life, ministry and theology of John Wesley.
This degree provides an excellent enrichment opportunity for those who are currently serving in ministry, as well as offering preparation for individuals who desire to become pastors, chaplains, educators, nonprofit directors or take on any role in full-time or part-time ministry. It’s also a wonderful option for lay people who seek to gain a foundation in biblical and theological studies, or for anyone personally interested in learning more about Scripture.