3-Year Online M.Div.

Contact: Admissions
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United’s distance program is designed especially for students in regions not readily served by a local seminary community. This is a hybrid model of distance theological education that aims to maximize the use of technology and minimize the amount of time and expense spent in travel, while also emphasizing the deeply relational and covenantal nature of Christian ministry. The majority of the coursework may be completed online, within a minimum of only one week required per semester at the Dayton Ohio campus to fulfil accreditation residency requirements.

Each student must check with her or his own denominational judicatory regarding residency requirements for ordination. The seminary will assist each student in selecting courses to meet judicatory requirements.

The University Senate of The United Methodist Church has published a new guideline for candidates for ordained ministry, limiting the use of online theological education to one-third of the courses for a masters degree.  According to Dr. Wanda Bigham, Assistant General Secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, this new guideline will become effective July 1, 2011, so that “students enrolled prior to that date are grandfathered to complete their programs.”

Students who enroll in United’s ATS-accredited, Online/Hybrid program prior to July 1, 2011, are therefore to be assured they will be eligible for ordination in The United Methodist Church.

• Requirements

  In order to complete your degree, you must:

  Complete a minimum of one-third of your degree in a hybrid or face-to-face format. United’s Gathering Weeks allow you to complete up to two-thirds in a hybrid or face-to-face format. For ordination requirements, please check with your own judicatory.

  Enroll in Hybrid Contextual Ministries as soon as you begin your M.Div. if you plan to complete your degree in three years. All theological students (except M.T.S.) must enroll in the Contextual Ministries Program, which consist of:

  • Professionally facilitated ministry group (MINgroup) that meets weekly online and in the one-week intensives (Gathering Week)

  • Ministry in a church or community site in your area (10 – 20 hours per week)

  • Integration and Formation courses

• Course Schedules

  The course schedules below will allow you to complete the degree in three years. Courses may be taken at any time or in any order (subject to prerequisites), but course offerings are subject to change. If you wish to add a concentration or denominational course concentration, please contact our Admissions Officer or your advisor.

  Admissions Officer
  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 800.322.5817

  The degree program may also be completed over a longer period of time and may be a mixture of educational formats to fit your schedule. Schedules should be reviewed by your advisor.

  course schedule