graduate studies at the university currently include programs based on campus, online programs and a hybrid mix of online and on-campus classes. in november 2010 the board of trustees of the southern association of colleges and schools commission on colleges approved brenau university's application to become a level v doctoral degree-granting institution, paving the way for brenau to launch a doctor of nursing practice program in august 2011. a year earlier, under the direction of lynn jones, then-chair of interior design, brenau launched its first terminal degree program, a master of fine arts in interior design. the first cohort of the doctor of occupational therapy program started in 2014, and a doctor of physical therapy program began in 2015. the graduate school also offers a wide array of master's-level programs as well as education specialist graduate degrees.