Degree Programs
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers the undergraduate degree Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Music Education, the Bachelor of Science, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Baccalaureate degree completion programs and multiple graduate programs are offered including Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science, and Master of Science in Nursing degree programs. Licensure, certificates and post-master’s certificate programs are also offered in a variety of fields.
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers online, face-to-face, and hybrid content formats. There are circumstances, however, where course content may need to be delivered differently than advertised for a period of time due to circumstances beyond MidAmerica Nazarene University’s control, e.g., an act of God, fire, war, riots, flood, earthquake, weather, epidemic, pandemic, health emergency, labor dispute, civil disturbance, governmental acts or orders or restrictions or mandates, or power or communications failure.
The General Education program embedded in all undergraduate program at MidAmerica Nazarene University is designed to develop informed servant-leaders who think critically and are committed, caring citizens of the world. The diverse, integrative, liberal arts courses provide a solid foundation for a student’s vocational calling in light of God’s creation and the person of Jesus Christ. General Education is the first major of the student. It intends to develop further the broad base of understandings, attitudes and skills which students possess upon entrance into college.
The integrative language and content of the outcomes is intended to demonstrate the nature of knowledge and allow for multi-disciplinary liberal arts connections. These brief statements encapsulate the intent of the outcomes:
Faith Integration - the critical foundation of General Education
Interdisciplinary Learning - the academic breadth of General Education
21st Century Skills - the practical relevance of General Education
Global Citizenship - the vocational goal of General Education
The focus of MNU’s general education program is on the formation of the person through these themes and the application of knowledge through experiential, relational, and integrative learning experiences.
Faith Integration
The faculty at MidAmerica believes a Christian worldview provides the most adequate perception of the universe. This worldview understands that rebellion against God is the fundamental problem of humanity. As a Christian, evangelical university we believe Jesus Christ is Lord and the final authority for our faith and our lives. Thus, every aspect of university activity, from instruction to student life to business practices, flow from this truth.
Faculty provide intentional instruction from a Biblical worldview within course assignments and discussions, examinations, and other learning experiences, with the goal of leading their students to develop their own Bible-based view of the nature of knowledge, learning, morals, value of each individual, and the purpose of life. This form of faith integration goes beyond mentoring students in spiritual formation through praying or devotional studies. Faith integration requires students to think critically from a Christian perspective, connecting the content being learned to Biblical truths. In addition, faculty commit themselves to provide attractive models of Christlike thinking and behavior in their interaction with students within and outside the classroom. Godly professors who strive for personal and professional excellence, as well as a commitment to excellence in faith integration, are essential to the MNU mission.
MNU has an open enrollment, so it is important to consider that students of all different faiths or no faith may be enrolled in programs at MNU. We are intentional to acknowledge the diversity of faith in our classrooms. We consider carefully how all students can engage in faith integration learning activities from an academic perspective. As Christian educators, we craft course-relevant opportunities for Christian students to grow in their faith without requiring every student to be a Christian believer.
Academic Affairs
Abby Hodges, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
There are eight academic units at MidAmerica Nazarene University grouped into two colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional and Graduate Studies. Within those colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences offers programs at the undergraduate level while the College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Within the undergraduate programs, some programs are offered in a format that is more convenient for students who work during daytime business hours or who are seeking an accelerated timeline for degree completion. These programs have historically been called “professional programs” and are listed HERE . Traditional undergraduate programs primarily represent an in-person classroom experience during day-time hours. Students cannot be enrolled in a professional undergraduate program and a traditional undergraduate program simultaneously. Students who are considering switching between a professional or a traditional undergraduate program should contact their advisor or their admissions counselor to discuss the process.
College of Arts & Sciences
Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Interim Dean
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), established in 2018, offers a range of degree programs including the Associate of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music Education, Education and Secondary Education.
The College’s dedicated faculty members are devoted to teaching, scholarly pursuit, and creative performance. Its majors span the breadth of human endeavor and are the heart of the University due to their foundational role in education, arts, and research.
The College of Arts and Sciences provides academic programs that prepare our students to be knowledgeable citizens of the 21st century and empower them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Our graduates are well-versed in their chosen field and with the analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills that are essential to success in life and the workplace. The College advances creative endeavor through artistic education, production, and performance. Experiential, relational, and integrative learning opportunities are essential to the success of the College and its students. The College of Arts and Sciences houses four departments:
The College of Arts and Sciences also oversees the Innovation Academy and Pioneer Trek which both provide students with enhanced opportunities for their education. Both of these programs are available to students in both the College of Arts and Science and the College of Professional and Graduate Studies.
Innovation Academy (Traditional Students Only)
The MNU Innovation Academy equips and enriches exceptional students for servant leadership and Christian scholarship. Honors students (called fellows) enjoy the freedom to customize approximately 15 percent of their curriculum in ways that enable them to reach their academic and career goals more easily. As a result, fellows create comfortable space in their schedules to study abroad, pursue minors or double majors, conduct original research with faculty mentors, enjoy internships and practicums, or graduate early. Typically, fellows go on to graduate school, public service, and desirable careers.
Interested students may submit portfolio applications for acceptance into the MNU Innovation Academy, or through participation in an Innovation Academy recruitment weekend event. The portfolio must include a transcript that indicates a 3.50 GPA in high school.
Fellows spend their first semester in a one-hour cohort seminar that orients them to the MNU Innovation Academy. Each semester, they are required to attend personal advising with their assigned Academy advisor in order to make steady progress. They also build relationships with faculty mentors who guide them in their academic and career development. Fellows maintain eligibility by (1) enrolling each semester as full-time students, (2) maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better, (3) earning a grade of B or better in all Academy-designated coursework, and (4) investing an average of 22.5 clock hours per semester in service and leadership. A great proportion of fellows serve MNU as leaders in student government, residence halls, mission trips, media production and editorial work, public relations, fine arts performance, and congregational ministry. For more information, please contact the MNU Innovation Academy Director at honors@mnu.edu.
Short-term and Semester Study Abroad
The experiences of a semester of study and travel overseas provide an essential dimension of a liberal arts education that can be obtained in no other way. Summer programs and study abroad semesters provide special opportunities to focus on business, education, humanities, intercultural studies, religion, psychology, sociology, science, mathematics, theatre, music, art and other disciplines. Upon graduation, many students conclude that participation in an international program was the single most significant experience of their undergraduate years. Study abroad programs are offered through third party partnerships and some through MNU professors. Because MNU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), a national association of over 100 Christian colleges and universities of the liberal arts and sciences, a number of off-campus learning opportunities are available through this consortium. While institutional aid is not eligible for study abroad tuition costs our Financial Aid and Bursar’s offices can walk students through the financial responsibilities of a study abroad semester. Most opportunities offered through MNU’s partnerships are eligible for federal financial aid and other grant programs.
Additional information on all study abroad, Pioneer Trek, and CCCU programs is available through the Department of Christian Ministry and Formation. A list of offerings is also provided on the MNU website and can be accessed at https://www.mnu.edu/study-abroad.
College of Professional & Graduate Studies
Jamie Myrtle, Ed.D., Dean
The College of Professional and Graduate Studies (CPG), established in 2022, offers a range of degree programs for students including the Associate of Arts in Business, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Graduate certificates and Master’s degrees are offered as well.
The College’s dedicated faculty members are devoted to teaching, scholarly engagement in professions, and career preparation for students. Its majors represent highly sought-after career paths in service (education and nursing) and traditional business fields.
The College of Professional and Graduate Studies provides academic programs that prepare our students to be knowledgeable citizens of the 21st century and empower them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Our graduates are well-versed in their chosen field and with the analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills that are essential to success in life and the workplace. The College advances career preparation of students through internships, project collaborations with business partners, and service projects using professional skills. Experiential, relational, and integrative learning opportunities are essential to the success of the College and its students. The College of Professional and Graduate Studies houses four schools and oversees the WE LEAD program.
WE LEAD (For Traditional Undergraduate Students)
MidAmerica Nazarene University’s women’s leadership program is called WE LEAD: Women Equipped - Leadership Education and Development. WE LEAD is the broader name for the entire women’s leadership initiative. WE LEAD has three sub-components: LAUNCH, EMPOWER and ENGAGE.
EMPOWER is a leadership development program in which any current female MNU student can choose to pursue one or both established paths. A student may choose to be involved in the program through the participant path. Additionally, a student can earn an academic certificate in women’s leadership by completing 12 hours of required leadership coursework, as well as a series of activities specifically designed for leadership development beyond the participant activities. The primary goal is to cultivate a holistic perspective on womanhood while encouraging each student to reach her own unique leadership potential.
To have the We Lead, women’s leadership academic certificate posted on the student’s academic transcript, the student must complete the following:
*Academic certificate requirements:
- Earn a certificate of completion for the participant path (See below)
- Complete the following coursework: (Total of 12 hours)
- Participate in mentoring relationship
- Complete a program portfolio
Participant path activities: Students who complete the following activities within an academic year earn a certificate of completion.
- Participate in orientation session/apply to the program
- Participate each semester in a focused WE LEAD development activity
- Participate in a small group chapel book study
- Serve as a host at LAUNCH, a female high school student’s college preview weekend at MNU
- Participate in 2 additional We Lead sponsored events:
- Training and development session, book study, fall, spring, or winter event, pop up events, volunteer opportunities, annual retreat
- Participate in annual program “celebration” event
*The We Lead certificate cannot be earned outside of a degree program.
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