Bachelor of Science in Social Justice
Trevecca Nazarene University
Key Information
Campus location
Nashville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 19,995 / per semester
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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Introduction
Trevecca’s Bachelor of Science in social justice is an interdisciplinary program with courses in business, law, sociology, social work, science, and religion. Students are equipped with a solid foundation that allows them to help the oppressed and marginalized find spiritual, physical, and emotional restoration. The program combines biblical theology, Christian ethics, and human rights and offers incredible opportunities for hands-on experience and real-world impact through our J.V. Morsch Center for Social Justice.
Program Benefits
- Learn from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who practice what they teach, and who make an effort to know you personally.
- Participate in the many offerings of our J.V. Morsch Center for Social Justice.
- Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
- Take advantage of incredible internships, service programs, and job opportunities in the Nashville market.
What to Expect
Trevecca’s social justice program equips you with the skills and training you need to live out your spiritual calling to serve others and seek biblical justice in a broken world. Some of the classes offered include Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship, Community Development, Urban Restoration Ecology, Biblical Theology of Social Justice, Economics of Poverty and Public Policy, and Ministry of Compassion. You can tailor your education to match your interests and goals when you choose from the following concentrations:
- Non-Profit and Congregational Leadership
- Public Policy
- Environmental Justice
At Trevecca, your social justice education continues outside of the classroom through unique on-campus opportunities as well as in the surrounding Nashville communities. Our partnerships with local non-profits, social services, and churches give you many ways to gain valuable hands-on experience that prepares you for a future in social justice.
Trevecca is the only university in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) that offers a biblical social justice major/minor which provides students with opportunities to apply their learning to meet real-world needs through center programming. The social justice program is housed in our J.V. Morsch Center for Social Justice. The center offers the following community initiatives and more:
Trevecca's Urban Farm is an on-campus working farm that provides students with the training needed to help food-insecure neighborhoods around the world.
The Micah Mandate is our social justice magazine which raises awareness of today’s injustices, tells our students’ stories, and fosters community.
The Neighborhood Empowerment Program creates a living laboratory where relationships between TNU and the surrounding communities foster social justice and community health.
The Salvation Army has been partnering with Trevecca for over 15 years to promote Christian education and carry out the biblical mandate to advance Kingdom purposes in the area of social justice.
The AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) has members on campus who work with this national program to eliminate poverty.
Why Choose Trevecca?
Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.
Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers, and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth.
As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your social justice degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith, and your goals.
Curriculum
All majors will take the core hours and will select one of three professional minors or a second major.
General Education — 52 hours
Variations for General Education for Social Justice Majors:
- Ethics (PHL 3070) as Philosophy
- Introduction to Environmental Science (SCI 2000) as Lab Science
- Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2000) or American Political Institutions (POL 2020) as Institutional Choice
- General Sociology (SOC 2010) as Behavioral Science
Core — 40 hours
- BIB 3100 Biblical Theology of Social Justice 2
- BUS 2300 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management 3
- CJS 2800 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
- CJS 3350/COM 3350/SWK 3350 Human Diversity 3
- HIS 3170 Latin American History 3 or HIS 3300 Women's Lives in American History 3 or HIS 3310 African-American History 3
- ICS 3070 Ministry of Compassion 3
- SJS 2010 Introduction to Social Justice 3
- SJS 4000 Field Internship in Social Justice 2-6
- SJS 4110 Senior Seminar in Social Justice I 3
- SJS 4120 Senior Seminar in Social Justice II 3
- SJS 4130 Social Justice Research Methods 3
- SOC 3300 Urban Sociology 3
- SWK 2250 Introduction to Community Practice 3
- THE 3100 Theology, History, and Social Movements in Social Justice 2
SJS 4000: 3 credit hours required; 3 additional hours may be taken for elective credit
Social Justice BS Professional Minors
Public Policy Professional Minor — 18 hours
- CJS 3110 Criminal Law and Procedure 3
- HIS 2020 United States History Survey II 3
- SWK 3500 Social Welfare Policy 3
Select ONE of the following — 3 hours
- POL 2000 Introduction to Political Science 3
- POL 2020 American Political Institutions 3
Select TWO of the following — 6 hours
- BUS 4055 Legal Environment of Business 3
- COM 2500 Argumentation and Debate 3
- ECO 3500 Economics of Poverty and Public Policy 3
- POL 2000 Introduction to Political Science 3 or POL 2020 American Political Institutions 3
- POL 3030 Introduction to Legal Studies 3
- POL 3050 Federal Seminar 2
- POL 3060 TISL Practicum 1
- POL 3061 TISL Practicum 1
- POL 3062 TISL Practicum 1
- SJS 3010 Introduction to Community Development 3
- SOC 3200 Social Problems 3
POL 2000 or POL 2020: whichever is not used to satisfy the "Select ONE" requirement
Environmental Justice Professional Minor — 16 hours
- BIO 3040 Ecology 4
- SJS 3020 Theology and Practice of Environmental Justice I 3
- SJS 3025 Theology and Practice of Environmental Justice II 3
- SJS 4200 The Theology and Readings in Environmental Justice 3
Select ONE of the following — 3 hours
- SJS 3010 Introduction to Community Development 3
- CED 3200 Church and Community 3
Nonprofit and Congregational Leadership Professional Minor — 17 hours
- CED 3200 Church and Community 3
- CHM 3010 Counseling and Caring for Children and their Families 2 or PRA 3310 Pastoral Care and Counseling 2 or YMN 3010 Counseling and Caring for Teenagers and their Families 2
- SJS 3010 Introduction to Community Development 3
- SJS 4010 Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship 3
- SJS 4020 Principles of Nonprofit Administration and Management 3
Select ONE of the following — 3 hours
- CJS 3370 Juvenile Justice 3
- COM 4560/CED 4560 Leadership in the Christian Organization 3
- ECO 3300 International Economic Development 3
- ECO 3500 Economics of Poverty and Public Policy 3
- LDR 3100 Destructive Leaders and Dysfunctional Culture 3
General Electives — 10-12 hours
Total Credit Hours: 120
Career Opportunities
With your degree from Trevecca, you’ll be well-prepared for graduate studies in a variety of fields. You’ll also have the education and skills you need to succeed in a wide variety of career roles and settings, including leadership within religious congregations and social service nonprofits; research and policy analysis positions within local, state, and federal government agencies, lobbying or educational institutions; and staff positions within public agencies or corporations focused on environmental conservation and stewardship. Our social justice graduates often find themselves serving in the following settings, organizations, or roles:
- Nonprofit
- Law
- Social work
- Missionary work
- Compassionate ministry
- Community development
- Government
Admissions
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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