Seeking a Degree at Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Theology Degree Programs Online.
Northwest Nazarene University offers students more than 60 programs from which to choose with an average 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students may enter programs as diverse as art education and graphic design to software engineering and criminal justice. Other exciting topics include those in physics, the worship arts, musical theory, biochemistry, financial economics, and cultural anthropology.
The university has an extensive selection of pre-professional programs that will help students prepare for careers as dentists, dental hygienists, doctors, optometrists, pharmacists, physician’s assistants, and veterinarians. All pre-professional programs, as well as those on other topics, are offered through a “Christian lens,” which means students always take classes in religion to complete their programs.
Future ministers and others interested in careers in religion have several options available for specialization in various Christian topics. Areas of study include youth ministry, theology, para-church ministries, evangelism, Christian education, and Biblical Studies. Students can also enroll in programs in Biblical languages, children’s ministries, intercultural ministry, pastoral ministries, philosophy & religion, and worship leadership.
Not only can students enroll in traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, but the university also offers several programs for adult & professional students. Degrees geared toward adult students include a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries, the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of Arts in Teacher Education, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Applicants interested in online study can choose from more than 20 areas of study online for undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral degrees. Topics cover education, business, Christian employment, and nursing. Students may enroll in an Associate of Arts program in accounting, secondary education, Christian studies, elementary education, liberal studies, or business.
Bachelor’s degrees online include a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Master of Arts degrees are offered in a variety of Christian topics that include pastoral ministry, missional leadership, spiritual formation, and family ministry. Students may continue their studies in seminary or graduate school after earning a degree in religion at Northwest Nazarene University.
Many of the programs at Northwest Nazarene University are offered on campus and online, but some programs may require that students participate in limited face-to-face instruction to complete their degrees. For example, students can enroll in the Doctor of Education program online and earn an Ed.D. or a Ph.D., but they must attend some campus events to graduate. Students can still enroll in programs that require some face-to-face interaction even if they don’t live in Idaho.
About Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University was founded in 1913 as Idaho Holiness School and is affiliated with the Christian faith. The university’s motto is “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God,” and the school’s official colors are red and black. Located in Nampa, Idaho, the university has around 2,000 students attending classes and first started granting degrees in 1917 when it became Northwest Holiness College in Nampa, Idaho.
The campus covers 80 acres, and the university also offers students the opportunity to study online for most of its degree programs. Around 6,000 additional students attend the university on in online and continuing education status. The university is one of eight institutions associated with the Church of the Nazarene and is divided into two colleges that include the College of Adult & Graduate Studies and the College of Arts & Sciences.
Northwest Nazarene University Accreditation Details
Northwest Nazarene University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has held this status since 1930. It was the first Nazarene-affiliated school to earn an accredited status. The university was first accredited as a two-year school and earned four-year accreditation status in 1937. Over its century of operation, the university has gained several programmatic accreditations.
Organizations that have given the university and its programs approval include the Council on Social Work Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. The university is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Northwest Nazarene University Application Requirements
Students who want to apply to Northwest Nazarene University will choose Early Action or Regular Admission and will need to submit all application materials by November 1st for Early Action or February 1st for Regular Admission. Materials required for admission include the undergraduate application, introductory essay, standardized test score, and an unofficial high school transcript. Students will submit their official transcripts after they graduate.
Prospective graduate students at Northwest Nazarene University will need to check with the program in which they want to enroll to determine if there are any unique application documents required for their degree choice. Generally, students will submit an online application, official transcripts, and two recommendations. Some programs may require that the student submits to a background check.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students who attend Northwest Nazarene University will pay $29,300 for tuition each year when they enroll in 12 to 18 credits. Students who enroll in fewer than 12 credits will pay $1,265 per credit. Students who enroll in more than 18 credits will pay the block rate for tuition plus $345 for each extra credit.
Students may also pay a general fee that covers small fees for student government, use of the athletic facilities, and campus safety, as well as $1,773 if they require health insurance. Room and board costs are $7,250 per year, but students may pay an extra $825 per semester if they want to have a private room without a roommate.
Applicants who require financial assistance to attend Northwest Nazarene University will work with the campus-based loan office to determine what source of financial aid might be available. Students can qualify for federal loans through the Direct Loan, Stafford, or PLUS programs, as well as for alternative loans from private banks.
Students should research the university’s scholarship opportunities that are available to students of a certain academic status, as well as students who are affiliated with the Christian Church or military. Northwest Nazarene University offers scholarships for the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), as well as academic scholarships and Christian education partner scholarships.