Manna University

About Manna University

Manna University is a specialized Christian university rather than a comprehensive institution. Its official history traces its roots to Manna Christian College, established in 1978 in Fayetteville to train pastors and church leaders. The school later became Grace Leadership Institute and then Grace College of Divinity. The adoption of the Manna University name represented institutional continuity, not the creation of a separate university. The university describes itself as non-denominational while maintaining a defined Christian statement of faith and close relationships with partner churches. This religious framework shapes the curriculum, admissions process, conduct expectations, and practical ministry requirements. Students seeking a broadly secular academic environment or majors outside theology, ministry, counseling, and leadership should compare other institutions carefully. Manna is institutionally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation to grant associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Carnegie classifies it as a special-focus institution in theological studies, reflecting the narrow academic mission. Federal IPEDS records identify it as a private not-for-profit institution in Fayetteville. The delivery model is predominantly online. The university states that all programs can be completed online, although it also offers selected in-person classes through its Fayetteville base and multiple extension or mentoring sites. This can suit working adults, military-affiliated students, and students serving in local churches, but it provides a different experience from a residential university. Applicants should verify whether their intended program, course sequence, and any local practical requirements are available in their preferred format and state.

Undergraduate applicants submit an application with a $50 non-refundable fee, a 300–600-word conversion-experience essay, a pastoral reference, a personal reference, and official high-school, GED, or prior-college transcripts. A minimum 2.0 GPA is preferred rather than stated as an absolute threshold. The official admissions page says U.S. undergraduate applicants must also complete the FAFSA process, including those planning to self-pay or use military or veterans’ benefits. Graduate applicants provide the conversion essay, an additional 300–500-word graduate admissions essay, pastoral and personal references, and official transcripts documenting an accredited bachelor’s degree or an approved equivalent. A minimum 2.67 GPA is preferred. Doctor of Ministry applicants need an appropriate master’s degree, at least 15 credits in Bible or theology, at least three years of ministry experience, and an interview with the chief academic officer. Domestic applications use rolling enrollment and are accepted until the relevant term begins; an unfinished application may roll to the next term. International applicants have separate published deadlines of May 15 for fall, November 1 for spring, and March 1 for summer. They must provide financial verification, certified English translations of transcripts, and evidence of English proficiency when coming from a non-English-speaking country. Published minimums include TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 5.5, PTE 51, ITEP 3.6, or Duolingo 95. The conversion essay and pastoral reference make religious fit a substantive part of admission. Applicants who do not attend a church, or whose beliefs differ from the university’s confessional position, should discuss eligibility and expectations with admissions before paying the fee.

Manna University’s academic portfolio centers on biblical studies, Christian leadership, ministry, and preparation for church-related service. Its current program page lists undergraduate and graduate study in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership; a bachelor’s and graduate options in Christian Counseling; associate, bachelor’s, graduate-certificate, and doctoral study in Ministry; master’s programs in Divinity and Religious Studies; and certificates in areas including Church Leadership, Intercultural Studies, and Worship Ministry. Program availability may differ for students attending particular in-person sites, so the 2026–2027 catalog should be checked before applying. All undergraduate programs contain a Bible and theology core. Depending on the program, students also study general education, organizational leadership, counseling, missions, worship, or practical ministry. The Christian Counseling curriculum is expressly intended for non-clinical biblical counseling in a church context; it should not be assumed to meet professional counseling licensure requirements. The Master of Divinity is oriented toward vocational ministry and chaplaincy, while the Doctor of Ministry is a practice-focused online doctorate for experienced ministry professionals. The university incorporates applied formation into academic study. Undergraduate students complete a Leadership in Action service requirement, and programs such as worship and ministry include practical work carried out through a student’s local setting. Online delivery therefore does not necessarily mean that every learning activity is detached from a church or community context. Transfer credit is considered individually. The university states that up to 30 credits may transfer into an associate degree and up to 90 into a bachelor’s degree. Students should request a transcript evaluation and confirm residency, specialization, and practical-component requirements before using those maximums for degree planning.

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1978 and formerly known as Grace College of Divinity
• Accredited by ABHE to award degrees through the doctoral level
• Carnegie-classified as a special-focus institution in theological studies
• All programs can be completed online, with selected in-person options

Student Life & Environment

Student life is designed around a predominantly online, faith-centered community rather than a residential campus. Manna University does not provide university housing, meal plans, or on-campus dining. Students are responsible for their own living and transportation arrangements, including international students studying in the United States. Prospective students wanting residence halls, extensive campus recreation, or a traditional residential social environment should account for that difference. Academic and community support is available remotely. The university’s current-student resources include academic advising, a help desk, library assistance, assignment guides, student records services, and a Writing Center that reviews style, formatting, and grammar and can arrange tutoring. A Student Government Association provides a channel for students to communicate with faculty and administrators. Faith participation extends beyond coursework. The university maintains relationships with partner churches and provides help locating a local church, pastoral care, or Christian counseling. North Carolina students are directed to a Fayetteville counseling provider with telehealth availability, while students elsewhere may request a referral to a counselor licensed in their state. Because practical ministry and Christian service are integrated into several programs, an online student’s local church or community may become an important part of the experience. Applicants should consider whether they have access to an appropriate local setting for service, mentoring, worship practice, or other program-specific activities.

Location & Surroundings

Manna University is headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Its official site lists a physical location at 5117 Cliffdale Road and a separate registrar mailing address in the Westwood Shopping Center. Students planning an in-person visit should confirm which address applies to their purpose before traveling. Fayetteville is the institutional base, but Manna should not be evaluated as a conventional residential Fayetteville campus. The university is predominantly online, offers no student housing or dining, and delivers selected in-person classes through extension sites and mentoring centers connected with partner churches. The official site currently identifies sites in North Carolina and other U.S. states, as well as international locations. Site availability does not necessarily mean that every degree or course can be taken there. For many students, the practical location is their home community: coursework can be completed online, and some ministry, worship, or service activities take place locally. This model reduces the need to relocate but transfers responsibility for housing, transportation, internet access, and access to an appropriate church or ministry environment to the student. International applicants seeking an F-1 visa should coordinate directly with the university because immigration study arrangements differ from ordinary online enrollment.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–2027, Manna University publishes full-time undergraduate tuition of $260 per credit and part-time undergraduate tuition of $275 per credit. Full-time graduate tuition is $350 per credit, part-time graduate tuition is $370, and doctoral tuition is $390. The listed general charges are a $50 application fee, a $340 technology fee each trimester, and a $225 graduation fee. Rates may change, and books are excluded from the university’s program-cost estimates. The university does not charge different tuition rates based on state residency. It also has no room-and-board charge because it provides neither housing nor meal plans. Students should construct a personal budget for housing, food, transportation, technology, books, and any travel or local ministry activity rather than treating tuition as the full cost of attendance. The official admissions page states that federal Pell Grants and federal student loans are available to eligible undergraduates. Military education benefits are accepted across degree levels, and institutional scholarships are offered, although eligibility and interaction with other aid vary. Applicants should use the university’s aid process and obtain an individualized award rather than assuming that a published scholarship will apply. Career preparation is concentrated in ministry, church leadership, chaplaincy, Christian nonprofit work, missions, worship, and related leadership settings. The university explicitly says that it does not guarantee employment or placement, although career guidance is available to students and alumni. Christian Counseling programs are non-clinical, so students pursuing licensed counseling careers must independently verify state education and licensure requirements before enrollment.