Nazarene Theological Seminary

What Nazarene Theological Seminary does

Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) is a private, nonprofit graduate theological institution founded in 1945 and headquartered on a 25-acre campus at 1700 E. Meyer Blvd in Kansas City, Missouri. It operates as the official graduate school of theology for the Church of the Nazarene, delivering ATS-accredited master's and doctoral programs in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. Its core academic offerings include the 76-credit Master of Divinity (with Pastoral Ministry, Chaplaincy, and Customizable tracks), the 45-credit MA in Theological Studies, the 36-credit MA in Transformational Leadership, and a cohort-based 36-credit Doctor of Ministry program with three specialized tracks — Black Leadership and Ministry, Organizational Leadership, and Spiritual Formation and Discipleship.

NTS delivers instruction through a hybrid learning stack combining synchronous Zoom-based video conference courses, asynchronous Moodle-based online learning, and periodic on-campus Convene intensives, supplemented by the myNTS mobile/web app (built with Path/Campus.app) that aggregates email, course portal, academic records, billing, and registrar services. Distribution is further extended through the Praxis lifelong-learning platform and four on-campus subsidiary centers (Center for Spiritual Formation, Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership, Nurturing Care, and Praxis), as well as doctoral colloquies held internationally in locations including Accra, Ghana and Ireland.

The revenue model is multi-stream and nonprofit. Tuition is priced at $590–$615 per credit hour depending on program, but 89–97% of students receive financial assistance, with the Church of the Nazarene subsidizing 65% of actual tuition cost for all enrolled students. Additional revenue streams include federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (school code G02494), institutional scholarships, donations, and endowment income (including a $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant funding the Nurturing Care project). Student enrollment is recruited through direct admissions outreach, denominational events (Grider-Winget Lectures, Hugh C. Benner Preachers' Conference), and alumni referrals, targeting aspiring and current clergy, ministry professionals, Black church leaders, and women in ministry.

Name

Nazarene Theological Seminary

Legal name

Nazarene Theological Seminary

Website

https://nts.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Nazarene Theological Seminary is a private, ATS-accredited Wesleyan-holiness graduate theological institution in Kansas City, affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, offering master's and Doctor of Ministry programs via hybrid learning to clergy, ministry leaders, and lay professionals worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graduate Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Graduate theological education
• Seminary degree programs
• Wesleyan-holiness tradition
• Ministerial formation
• Continuing theological education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: NTS charges tuition on a per-credit-hour basis ranging from $590-615 per credit hour depending on the program. The Doctor of Ministry program has an all-inclusive cost of approximately $25,400 including housing for site visits.
2. Church of the Nazarene Subsidy: The Church of the Nazarene provides significant subsidy for students, subsidizing 65% of actual tuition cost for all enrolled students. This denominational support enables affordability.
3. Scholarships and Grants: NTS awards scholarships to 97% of enrolled students through institutional scholarship programs funded by donors and endowment income. Additional scholarships available through the Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education.
4. Federal Student Aid: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible degree-seeking students enrolled in at least 5 credit hours. NTS participates in federal student loan programs with school code G02494.
5. Donations and Endowment: NTS receives charitable donations through the Alumni Sustainer program and direct giving. The seminary has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund the Nurturing Care project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nazarene Theological Seminary delivers accredited graduate theological education through master's and doctoral degree programs in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition, with flexible hybrid learning combining video conference, asynchronous online, and on-campus intensive formats. The seminary serves individual students preparing for ordained ministry, pastoral leadership, chaplaincy, and specialized ministry roles, primarily within the Church of the Nazarene and broader Christian church. Supporting offerings include continuing education through the Praxis platform, women's leadership programming through the Wynkoop Center, spiritual formation resources through the Center for Spiritual Formation, and the Nurturing Care children and worship initiative.

Product overview

Nazarene Theological Seminary offers a suite of theological education products and services centered around its graduate degree programs (Master's and Doctoral), supplemented by lifelong learning platforms and specialized centers. The institution provides a unified student experience through the myNTS app, which serves as the gateway to academic services, learning management, and administrative functions. Academic programs include the Master of Divinity (76 credits), MA in Transformational Leadership (36 credits), MA in Theological Studies (45 credits), and a Doctor of Ministry program (36 credits) with three specialized tracks. Supporting the core academic offerings are Praxis (continuing education), the Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership, the Center for Spiritual Formation, and the Nurturing Care project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Divinity A 76-credit hour comprehensive master's degree program that integrates theological disciplines, personal and professional formation, and ministry practices. Meets Church of the Nazarene elder ordination requirements with Pastoral Ministry, Chaplaincy, and Customizable tracks. Targeted at individuals preparing for ordained ministry.
• MA in Transformational Leadership A 36-credit hour master's degree program designed to help students integrate their faith and work, offering specializations in Intercultural Studies, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, and Church Planting.
• MA in Theological Studies A 45-credit hour master's degree program providing focused study in classical theological disciplines with electives and course delivery options, serving as preparatory for doctoral studies.
• Doctor of Ministry in Black Leadership and Ministry A cohort-based doctoral track inviting pastors and leaders engaged in the Black Church tradition to participate in education from a Black Theological perspective. Includes three one-week face-to-face site visits in Kansas City, Washington D.C., and Accra, Ghana. Total tuition and fees including housing for three site visits: $25,400.
• Doctor of Ministry in Organizational Leadership A three-year cohort-based doctoral program equipping experienced pastors, superintendents, and ministry leaders to guide adaptive change with theological depth, spiritual health, and strategic wisdom. Includes three one-week colloquies in Kansas City, Miami, and San Diego.
• Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship A cohort-based doctoral track engaging seekers who desire to deepen their journey of personal transformation for spiritual renewal. Includes three one-week face-to-face site visits in Kansas City, San Diego, and Ireland.
• Praxis Lifelong Learning Platform Lifelong learning initiative offering continuing education through an online video platform, mentoring programs, and conferences for students, alumni, clergy, and lay-leaders.
• Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership A Wesleyan community providing leadership training, financial assistance, and educational resources to affirm and empower women called by God for ministry, while encouraging gender parity in church leadership.
• Center for Spiritual Formation A network for contemplative Christian clergy in the Wesleyan tradition offering formation webinars, spiritual direction training, and a directory of certified spiritual directors.
• Nurturing Care Project A ministry initiative focusing on designing worship and prayer experiences for children, including programs for children with autism and diverse congregations on the West Coast, utilizing design thinking approaches. Funded by a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
• myNTS Mobile/Web App A mobile and web application developed in partnership with Path (previously Campus.app) that provides students access to course portal (Moodle), academic records, billing, registrar forms, email, and other student services. Available on iOS, Android, and web at my.nts.edu.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of students receive financial assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Camp Encourage for Autistic YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Nurturing Care autism initiative. Provides expertise and resources for supporting elementary school-age children with autism in faith communities. Co-founder Kelly Lee participates in educational videos and collaborative events.
• Joshua Center for Neurological DisorderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Nurturing Care autism initiative. Provides clinical expertise through Kris Mitchell, LMFT, for autism ministry education. Collaborates on videos, presentations, and training for church inclusion.
• SOAR Special NeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing video resources and podcasts on autism and disability ministry. Offers educational content for the Nurturing Care project and broader church training initiatives.
• Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Center for Pastoral LeadershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTen-year partnership focused on moral emotional virtues and generative care. Co-hosting Maker's Space retreats (May 28-30, 2026 and May 29-31, 2025) bringing together West Coast church leaders for design thinking workshops on children and worship/prayer practices. NTS Nurturing Care provides mini grants of $3,000 to $5,000 to support approved projects.
• The Sending ProjectminorOthersPartner organization in the Nurturing Care autism initiative providing resources and expertise for disability ministry in faith communities.
• G. Michael LeffelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Emeritus at Point Loma Nazarene University whose research on moral emotional virtues and generative care shapes the West Coast Nurturing Care initiative's theoretical framework.
• Dr. Léon van OmmenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Lecturer at University of Aberdeen and co-Director of Centre for Autism and Theology. Provided presentations on autism and worship during Nurturing Care's 'Day of Learning' at NTS.
• Nazarene Women's Clergy CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization working to affirm gender inclusive ministry. Co-sponsors events and initiatives with the Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership.
• Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy (WHWC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization providing research and resources supporting women in ecclesial leadership. Collaborates with Wynkoop Center on advocacy and educational initiatives.
• Church of the NazarenecoreOthersNTS is the official graduate school of theology for the Church of the Nazarene. The denomination provides 65% tuition subsidy for all students and operates the International Board of Education scholarship program. Church supports seminary through Seminary Sunday Offering.
• Wonderful Works MinistryminorOthersNazarene ministry providing adapted discipleship resources (ADL) for children with disabilities, referenced as a resource partner for autism ministry.
• Joni and FriendsminorOthersChristian disability ministry organization providing resources for church inclusion, referenced as an autism resource in the Nurturing Care initiative.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fuller Theological Seminary: A leading multi-denominational evangelical seminary offering ATS-accredited graduate degrees with extensive online and hybrid learning options. Operates as a broad incumbent in the same ATS-accredited graduate theological education space.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: A large evangelical seminary offering ATS-accredited graduate degrees with hybrid and online delivery. Comparable ATS-accredited graduate theological education offering, though dispensational rather than Wesleyan.
• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: The flagship Southern Baptist seminary, one of the largest ATS-accredited institutions in the US. Comparable as an ATS-accredited graduate theology school but materially larger in endowment, faculty, and student base.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: A large multi-denominational evangelical seminary with ATS accreditation and both residential and online/hybrid programs. Comparable academic and ATS-accredited graduate theology offerings, but with significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Point Loma Nazarene University: A Church of the Nazarene-affiliated university and explicit NTS partner on the Nurturing Care/Maker's Space initiatives. Comparable denominational and Wesleyan-holiness orientation, with overlapping faculty and program collaboration.
• Trevecca Nazarene University: A Church of the Nazarene-affiliated university offering some graduate theological education. Comparable denominational identity and Wesleyan-holiness heritage, though more undergraduate-focused than NTS.
• Portland Seminary at George Fox University: A seminary affiliated with George Fox University (Quaker/Wesleyan-heritage tradition) offering ATS-accredited graduate degrees with significant online delivery. Comparable ATS-accredited graduate theological programs in a Wesleyan-adjacent tradition.

Direct peers

• Asbury Theological Seminary: An ATS-accredited evangelical seminary in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. Highly comparable to NTS in theological framing, denomination-adjacent identity, and ATS-accredited graduate degree offerings (MDiv, MA, DMin).
• Wesley Biblical Seminary: A small ATS-accredited Methodist/Wesleyan seminary offering graduate theological degrees with online and on-campus formats. Closely matches NTS's Wesleyan heritage and ATS-accredited graduate program mix.
• Anderson University School of Theology: A Church of God (Anderson) affiliated theological school with Wesleyan-holiness roots offering graduate theological education. Closely aligned with NTS in holiness tradition, denominational context, and ATS-accredited program structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NazSeminary
• YouTubevimeo.com/ntsinkc
• Facebookfacebook.com/27278307723
• Instagraminstagram.com/nazseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nazarene-theological-seminary

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nazarene Theological Seminary