FLEX UMC M.Div.
Contact: Admissions
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United’s Flexible Residency Hybrid Master of Divinity degree offers the same quality of education as our traditional M.Div. with the added flexibility of August FLEX Residency Weeks as well as hybrid and online course offerings. It is designed especially for students in regions not readily served by a local seminary community and offers a hybrid model of distance theological education that provides flexibility, while allowing the student to complete one-third of the degree in residence, as required for United Methodist ordination.
Complete a minimum of one-third of the degree in residency on United’s campus through a combination of four mandatory two-week FLEX Residency Weeks and a Gathering Week residency each semester.
Complete all requirements in the 78-hour M.Div. curriculum
Complete Online Student Orientation (a 3- to 4-hour course)
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 consists of:
A professionally facilitated ministry group (Formation and Integration courses) that meets weekly online and in the one-week intensives (Gathering Week)
A service learning ministry placement in a church or community site in your area (serve 10 hours per week)
Intercultural Trip
Admission process must be completed two weeks prior to FLEX week each fallThe degree program may also be completed over a longer period of time and may involve a variety of educational formats to fit your schedule. Schedules should be reviewed by your advisor.
The course schedules below will allow you to complete the degree in three and-one-half years. Courses may be taken at any time or in any order (subject to prerequisites), but course offerings are subject to change.
To complete the required one third of the degree in residence, FLEX UMC students must attend mandatory FLEX Residency Weeks and Gathering Weeks, both held at United’s Dayton, OH, campus.
FLEX Residency Weeks
Two-week intensive sessions held each August beginning on Monday and ending on the second Friday.
FLEX Residency Week Schedule
Gathering Weeks
One week intensive session held each fall and spring.
Gathering Week Schedule
FLEX Residency Weeks and Gathering Weeks Allow FLEX Students To:
Complete Intensive courses
Participate in classroom instruction for hybrid courses
Worship as a Community
Gain preaching experience
Serve the sacraments
Build relationships with other students, clergy and professors
Develop as pastoral leaders
Fees for Gathering Weeks and FLEX Residency Weeks, in Addition to Tuition
Housing: We have negotiated lower prices at some of the hotels in our area. Please explore the Visitor Accommodation section of the website to make your room arrangements for the week or contact Student Life.
For other housing questions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Meals and Incidentals:
Gathering Week = $145
FLEX Residency Weeks = $285