Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) offers a distinctive educational experience rooted in its evangelical Christian foundation and Wesleyan-Arminian holiness tradition. Known for its commitment to the motto, "To Seek to Learn is to Seek to Serve," MVNU provides a nurturing environment where academic rigor meets spiritual development. Whether you're seeking traditional undergraduate programs or flexible options for adult learners, MVNU fosters a community dedicated to purpose-driven education.

MVNU's journey began in 1968, chartered as the Zone A College of the Church of the Nazarene after a 1960 education commission. Opening on the historic Lakeholm Farm, once home to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano, the campus boasts colonial-style architecture designed to evoke Williamsburg, Virginia. Initially a two-year junior college, MVNU expanded rapidly, becoming a four-year institution in 1974 and adding graduate degrees in Christian ministry by 1991. This evolution culminated in its renaming as Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2002, reflecting its comprehensive offerings.

Academically, MVNU shines with a diverse array of programs across its traditional campus and especially through its innovative Graduate and Professional Studies Program (GPS). GPS caters specifically to non-traditional students, offering associate's, bachelor's, master's, and even its first fully accredited doctoral degree in Nursing Practice launched in 2024. With nearly 800 students enrolled in fully online GPS programs, MVNU is at the forefront of accessible, flexible higher education in fields like business, education, social work, and ministry leadership, ensuring quality learning for all stages of life.

Students at MVNU benefit from a strong sense of community and a mission-driven curriculum. The university's history is woven into the campus, with original Lakeholm Farm buildings still in use today. With a student body of nearly 2,000, MVNU prides itself on equipping graduates to make a positive impact, embodying its core values of learning and service in every aspect of their lives.