UMC Ruling for Online Courses

United celebrates the forward step taken by the UM University Senate on January 27, 2011, with regard to United Methodist Distance Learning.

The Senate has ruled: 1. That UM candidates for ordination may take up to two-thirds of their required degree work online at a United Methodist seminary that offers Distance Learning and 2. One-third of the degree must be completed in residence at the seminary. In early March, the United Faculty will announce details for a new, summer residency program, to take place at United’s main campus in Dayton, Ohio, beginning in August of 2011. This program will be designed to fulfill the residency requirement for UM candidates for ordination in such a way that it will not be necessary for the student to relocate to Ohio. Effective August 2011, United Methodist candidates for ordination will be able to complete their educational requirements at United in one of three ways: 1. The traditional way: commute or move to Dayton, Ohio and complete all the requirements in residence 2. Complete two-thirds of the degree (2 years) online and relocate to Dayton, Ohio to complete one-third of the degree in residence 3. Enroll in the Summer Residence program, to fulfill the one-third residency requirement of the University Senate. This program can be completed in 3.5 years. Students who begin in August 2011 will be able to graduate in December 2014. UM students that enrolled in United’s 3-year Online/Hybrid MDiv program in the 2010-11 academic year will be eligible for UM ordination under a “Grandparent” Clause announced in July 2010 by then University Senate Secretary Wanda Bigham.