adult studies online or on campus

Management & Leadership

The Bachelor of Arts in management and leadership is a degree-completion program designed for working adults who want to grow as servant leaders and global citizens. This program includes coursework that prioritizes creativity, accountability and intentionality while emphasizing three key areas of development: management, leadership and personal.

Upcoming Start Dates:

On Campus:
Motlow's Campus - Sep. 19, 2024
Main Campus - Sep. 24, 2024
Online:
May 21, 2024
Aug. 13, 2024
Nov. 5, 2024
Feb. 18, 2025
May 20, 2025

Previously named the Bachelor of Arts in management and human relations (MHR), this degree in organizational leadership has been helping busy professionals achieve their career goals for more than 30 years. 

Our curriculum has a threefold approach aimed at helping you navigate today’s workforce with excellence and strategy. This accelerated bachelor’s program, created for students who have already completed a minimum of 40 college credit hours, includes coursework that prioritizes creativity, accountability and intentionality while emphasizing three key areas of study:  

  • Management Development
    Enhance your capabilities to oversee teams and initiatives. Build skills and knowledge in key management areas such as strategic and systems management, human resources and marketing.
  • Leadership Development
    Expands your competency to perform in leadership roles within organizations. Receive insight on leadership theories, conflict resolution, change management, personal values and ethics in business.
  • Personal Development
    Become equipped with the knowledge needed to succeed in your career. Develop personal leadership skills, interpersonal relations, organizational behaviors and a biblical worldview.

What to expect

Flexibility. The program exists to provide working adults with the opportunity to complete a college degree in a schedule and format particularly designed to meet their unique needs.

Attend class face-to-face at one of Trevecca’s three locations only one night a week or complete your degree fully online. With either option, you’ll enjoy the ease of books and supplies delivered to your front door.

Study when it’s convenient for you—an hour in the morning over coffee, during your lunch break or after your kids’ bedtime. For more than 30 years, the manageable workload of our continuing education programs has made it a tremendous success for hundreds of working adults.

Support. Small class sizes allow faculty members to get to know students individually and provide mentoring relationships that help them achieve personal growth while simultaneously offering academically rigorous coursework. Additionally, Trevecca utilizes a cohort model of study, where students begin and complete their degree alongside a group of other classmates—either in person or online—who are taking the same classes and working toward the same goal. Your peers provide the support needed so you can get the most out of your studies. Even while taking online classes, you’ll stay engaged with your cohort, exchanging emails and online discussions on a weekly basis.

2024 #2 Online College in Tennessee, intelligent.comSuccess. The benefits of returning to college to complete your degree can be life changing! Whether it’s increasing your earning potential, positioning yourself for a promotion or jump-starting a new career path, earning a degree will leave you equipped and empowered for the future. Our graduates currently work in fields such as business, technology, ministry, government, military, social services and healthcare.

“Every class is taught from a practical perspective,” says program director Dr. Cathy Hendon. “Students want to know how this degree can be immediately applied to their professional life or goals, and we’ve structured the program with that in mind.”

 

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

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$99 Intro Course

For a limited time, adult students have the option to test the waters of college academics and online learning while getting started in the management and leadership bachelor’s program. Trevecca’s Introduction to Management and Leadership course serves as a low-cost, low-risk entry point that allows students to acclimate to the degree program while being supported by a faculty mentor. At a cost of $99 for the single course, students can earn three credit hours while exploring their leadership potential and deciding whether to pursue a degree.

Learn more about the intro course

Here’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.

Here’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.

Cost/Credit Hour

$419

Hours

36

Tuition Cost*

$15,084

*$150 Student Resource Fee assessed per course. $150 estimated book cost per course.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the BA program in Management and Leadership the student must:

  1. Complete online application.
  2. Complete FAFSA or appropriate reimbursement or payment plan agreements.
  3. Submit official transcripts from previously attended institutions, sent directly from granting institution to TNU.
  4. Have earned a grade point average of 2.0 for all academic work completed.
  5. Have successfully completed a minimum of 40 hours of semester credit from an accredited institution.
  6. All students are expected to have some proficiency with computer technology. Reliable access to technology will be required through the program.
  7. Submit confidential Medical Health History and Immunization Forms to Trevecca's Student Health Clinic prior to registration (see Immunization Information entry at the end of this section). Applies only for students enrolled in face-to-face courses.
  8. 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.)

For students who have not completed the necessary 40 credit hours, there are still options for starting a degree. The online associate’s degree programs are open to students, regardless of credit hours. View our associate degrees to learn more.

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The Bachelor of Arts in management and leadership degree is designed to uniquely fit the needs of working adults—with creativity, accountability and intentionality at the forefront. This degree has been helping busy professionals achieve their career goals for more than 30 years.  

Trevecca's degree in organizational leadership integrates a Christian worldview and seeks to build servant leaders and global citizens who can successfully navigate today’s workforce with confidence and strategy. Interdisciplinary in nature, the curriculum includes liberal arts classes with an emphasis on general management and leadership skill building. Writing, speaking and research skills are cultivated in each class.

“Our students build confidence in their written and verbal communication skills throughout the program,” says program director Dr. Cathy Hendon. “In today’s global, hyper-connected society, it’s vital for employees to know how to effectively communicate with each other.”

The program has a threefold approach aimed at helping you navigate today’s workforce with excellence and strategy. This accelerated degree includes coursework that focuses on three key areas of study:

Management Development

Enhance your capabilities to oversee teams and initiatives. Build skills and knowledge in key management areas such as strategic and systems management, human resources and marketing.

Leadership Development

Expands your competency to perform in leadership roles within organizations. Receive insight on leadership theories, conflict resolution, change management, personal values and ethics in business.

Personal Development

Become equipped with the knowledge needed to succeed not only in the classroom, but also in your career. Develop personal leadership skills, interpersonal relations, organizational behaviors and a biblical worldview.

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Trevecca offers optional minors to non-traditional undergraduate students.  Minors provide an excellent path to gain expertise in a focus area while you secure enough credit hours to complete your degree!

  • Minor in Business
  • Minor in Healthcare Administration
  • Minor in Christian Ministry Online
  • Minor in Psychology
  • Minor in Leadership
  • Minor in Criminal Justice
Learn More

To graduate with a bachelor's degree in management and leadership, students will need a minimum of 120 credit hours, satisfying the following requirements:

General Education (30 semester hours)

  • 6 semester hours of communications (of which one course must be in English composition)
  • 3 semester hours of humanities (at least one course must be from the following: literature, philosophy, art or music appreciation, art or music history, fine arts, history)
  • 9 semester hours of social/behavioral science 
  • 6 semester hours of math/natural science
  • 6 additional semester hours in any above general education area

Core Classes (36 semester hours)
General Electives (54 semester hours)
TOTAL: 120 semester hours 

Students also need to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible for graduation. Trevecca accepts transfer credit and prior learning towards the above requirements. To learn how your previous credit or prior learning will apply and see what your personal path to a bachelor's degree will look like, fill out the form and an enrollment counselor will contact you!

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Career Opportunities: Bachelor's in Management and Leadership

Our bachelor's degree in management and leadership allows students to acquire knowledge and skills in management, leadership and personal development for a variety of professional pursuits. Our graduates currently serve in fields like these:

  • Business (banking; production; training and development; hospitality; sales; construction management)
  • Technology
  • Ministry
  • Government
  • Military
  • Social services
  • Healthcare support operations
  • Human resources

The Bachelor of Arts in management and leadership is a multi-faceted program that equips individuals with the skills needed to lead successfully in whichever career path they choose to embrace.

“It was a great experience for me. A family atmosphere exists on campus that is enhanced by the University’s cohort model. You work together, study together and even eat together. Gradually, the past limitations you may have put on yourself start to fade away. The focus becomes on your goals and who you want to become.”

William Swan Director Chief, Nashville Fire Department

Our Faculty

  • Portrait for James Agee, Ph.D.

    James Agee, Ph.D.

    Professor

    James teaches management and statistics/research in a variety of programs across campus, including the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). He received his Ph.D. from the State University of New York (Albany) in 2000.  Outside of ...

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  • Portrait for Jonathan Burch

    Jonathan Burch

    Associate Professor, Management

    Jon has had a long connection with Trevecca Nazarene University, first through visiting the campus as a 9th grade student and feeling an immediate connection with the institution. After serving in the military, serving in ministry and getting his ...

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  • Portrait for Pamela Costa

    Pamela Costa

    Administration Manager

    Pam serves as the assistant to the vice president for graduate and adult education, and she is an instructor in the associate degree program and the Bachelor of Arts in management and leadership. Having earned both her undergraduate and master’s ...

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  • Portrait for Richard Parrott

    Richard Parrott

    Professor, Management & Human Relations Program

    Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Eastern Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in psychology from the University of Missouri, a Master of Arts in pastoral divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in ...

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  • Portrait for Roy Philip

    Roy Philip

    Associate Professor, Marketing

    Roy's expertise is in marketing, international business and production and operations management, with an emphasis on strategy.

    He has over 25 years of teaching experience (both at the undergraduate and graduate level). He has taught in ...

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  • Portrait for Julie Rigsby

    Julie Rigsby

    Director of MOL and BML, Associate Professor of Leadership Studies

    Julie currently serves as associate professor of leadership studies and director of the Master of Arts in organizational leadership and the Bachelor of Arts in management and leadership programs. As a certified practitioner of the Myers Briggs ...

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’m already busy managing a full-time job and other commitments. How will I find time to complete coursework and study?
Our team of professors and mentors designed the pace of this degree with you in mind. The program is structured for you to take classes at a manageable pace, either one night a week on campus or entirely online. Study when it’s convenient for you—an hour in the morning over coffee, during your lunch break or after your kids’ bedtime. Classes are asynchronous, meaning there is no specific time you must be online. For more than 30 years, the flexibility and manageable workload of this program have made it a tremendous success for hundreds of working adults.
I don’t have time to drive to Trevecca’s campus. Can I earn the degree online?

The wonderful thing about our Bachelor of Arts in Management and Leadership degree is that it gives you options. We offer a 100 percent online program with books and materials delivered to your front door. Classes are taught online through our learning management system, Blackboard. And when we say the degree is entirely online, we mean it. With the way our program is structured, you never have to step foot on campus--not even once!

 

If you enjoy learning in a classroon, you can join a campus cohort, which meets for class one night at a week at one of our three convenient locations in either Nashville, Tenn., Tullahoma, Tenn., or Gallatin, Tenn.

Will I receive the same experience online as those who attend class in person?

Trevecca's cohort model is one of the reasons the school has become the fastest growing university in Middle Tennessee. It’s a highly successful online experience that allows students from various backgrounds and locations to succeed. You begin and complete your degree alongside a group of other online classmates working toward similar goals. Your peers provide the support needed so you can get the most out of your studies. Even while taking online classes, you stay very engaged with your cohort classmates. Email exchanges and online discussion posts happen weekly. Many faculty even provide Zoom sessions and weekly videos to deepen engagement with online students.

I haven’t been a student in years—what if I fall behind or struggle to keep up with classes?

At Trevecca, we don’t emphasize academics in a vacuum. We’re committed to holistic education, encouraging students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We’re here to offer you the tools needed to succeed. You’ll be surrounded by a group of classmates, directors and professors who genuinely care and want to make this the most successful academic journey you could ever encounter.

I don’t currently have the required minimum of 40 transferable credit hours—what are my options?

We offer an associate program that will help you earn your general education credits as well as some introductory courses in a specific discipline. If you already have some credits (but fewer than 40), our enrollment counselors can help with determining which classes you need, both in general education or elective classes. All these courses can be completed online. Connect with an enrollment counselor to get started. You can use the inquiry form on this page.

Can I really graduate with my bachelor’s degree in 18 months?

Yes! Our core programs are approximately 18 months long. To graduate, you’ll need to meet all graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including minimum general education requirements and elective requirements. An enrollment counselor can help you determine exactly what you need to graduate and the available options to complete all your requirements.

Do you use textbooks or e-books?

We use primarily physical textbooks for our courses, though some classes do use e-books.

What are the technology requirements for the online program?

In today’s world, capable managers and leaders are more resourceful and resilient than their peers. In several of Trevecca’s programs, we want to build students’ ability to be resourceful and resilient in addressing their technology needs. Read our full list of technology requirements →

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.*



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Cohort Schedule

View a sample schedule of the courses you will be taking when you enroll.

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Personal Leadership Development
BML 3110
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop intrapersonal leadership, a necessary prerequisite to leading and serving others. Leaders will recognize and apply personality preferences, learning styles, and leadership practices that personify servant leadership.
Interpersonal Relations
BML 3120
This course examines the role of emotional intelligence and communication in effective interpersonal relationships. Students will discover the practical and theoretical concepts of human communication required for academic, social, and professional environments.
Biblical Perspectives and the Christian Life
BML 3150
In this course, students will explore and articulate the foundational themes of the Bible. The course is designed to foster a Christian worldview from a Wesleyan perspective. The course encourages the integration of faith, learning, and living.
Introduction to Leadership
BML 4300
This course will survey leadership theories from a historical and contemporary perspective. Through this course, students will be challenged to examine leadership through a number of theoretical, as well as practical, lenses and frameworks. Students will be given an opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of leadership and be challenged to establish a foundation for lifelong leadership learning and development.
Leading through Conflict and Change
BML 4310
Students will understand the challenges, techniques, and problems associated with initiating and implementing changes within organizations. Specifically, students will understand the roles and stakes of all entities involved. Given that conflict often accompanies change, the course will also examine sources of conflict and identify effective resolution and negotiation techniques.
Ethical Leadership
BML 4320
This course equips students to examine competing ethical values, to understand the need to employ ethical behaviors within organizational contexts, and to lead or manage from an ethical perspective. This course will challenge students to do the right thing in the right way and to do so in an effective manner.
Principles of Management and Leadership
BML 4330
This course covers a broad perspective on management theories and their application in business. The four functions of management will serve as a foundation for students to develop an understanding of the contemporary management of organizations. In addition, this course provides a catalyst to explore issues expanded on in other courses offered within the program.
Organizational Behavior
BML 3130
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of individual and group behavior in organizations. Its purpose is to examine ourselves and our functioning as members of groups. This course aims to improve students’ ability to effectively lead people toward increased organizational performance.
Marketing for Managers
BML 4400
This course presents general marketing principles and develops a manager’s insight into how an organization makes marketing mix decisions based on their understanding of consumer behavior.
Systems Management
BML 4410
This course is designed to create innovative system thinkers and system managers. Students will analyze managerial roles in conjunction with organizational structures in order to assess the effectiveness of systems. Tools for analyzing processes and human behavior in organizations are examined. Challenges associated with implementing change and improvements to systems will be explored.
Human Resource Management
BML 4420
Students analyze the policies and procedures of managing human resources such as job analysis, recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, compensation, and employee rights (discipline, OSHA, and unionization). Special attention is given to Equal Employment Opportunity. These functions will be viewed through a Christian perspective.
Strategic Management
BML 4440
Designed to integrate and apply concepts from all areas of the business curriculum. The course examines the operations and tactics of firms within industries from a macro perspective. Strategy has three major subdivisions: Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation, and Strategy Evaluation and Control.

*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.

Related Programs

  • Business (B.S. - Online)

    Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in business degree-completion program is specifically designed for working adults who have previously earned up to 40 credit hours. This fully online, asynchronous program equips students with a strong foundation in business and prepares them for success in a variety of highly profitable careers.