Denominational Studies

Contact: Admissions
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United Theological Seminary is a seminary of the United Methodist Church, but we are a broadly ecumenical community. We have a Baptist House of Studies and a Presbyterian House of Studies, and we teach courses that fulfill a variety of denominational requirements.

United will make special arrangements whenever feasible to ensure that all M.Div. students meet the academic requirements of their denominations. Denominational courses are generally taught when the number of students in need of them is sufficient. In most cases that will be every two to three years. United Methodist courses are generally offered every year. Many denominational courses are not required for graduation, but many denominations require them for ordination or various forms of ministry. Please check the requirements prescribed by your denomination and discuss these with your faculty advisor.

• United Methodist Studies

  The United community enjoys an ethos that is ecumenically Christian in spirit and distinctively enriched by our United Methodist heritage. The Center for Evangelical United Brethren Heritage is a prized resource that links the seminary to the historical pietism and missionary emphasis of our founders. Our United Methodist heritage is expressed in special events, worship, exhibits, connections with denominational resources, and course offerings.

  United Methodist students at United will benefit from the United Methodist heritage and character of the school as well as from its wide-ranging theological and denominational diversity.

  Required Denominational Courses
  United provides the three required denominational courses for UM ordination in online and hybrid formats, and in classroom settings in Dayton and West Virginia. These courses are:

  United Methodist History

  Contemporary United Methodist Polity

  United Methodist Doctrine

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  Elective Courses
  In addition, United offers a variety of important elective courses that draw upon the Wesleyan, Methodist and Pietist traditions, including:

  Methodists, Evangelicals, United Brethren and Women’s Ordination

  Pietism

  John Wesley Seminar

  Evangelical United Brethren Heritage Seminar

  United Methodist General Conference

  Wesleyan Theology

  United Methodist Worship

  Sacraments of Christian Initiation

• Baptist House of Studies

  Contact: Dr. Emma Justes
  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 937.529.2201

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  The Baptist House of Studies at United provides theological coursework, support and hospitality for students with Baptist affiliations who want to become well prepared for Christian ministry and leadership Students are formed in Baptist heritage and identity through ministry formation groups, coursework, worship and common meals, and informal occasions.

  In the ecumenical environment of United Theological Seminary, Baptist students are encouraged to learn about Baptist history, theology, polity and worship, and to prepare for ministry and leadership in Baptist contexts.

  Courses Aligned with Baptist Studies Include:
  Martin Luther King, Jr.

  Augustine

  The European Reformations

  Calvin and Calvinism

  Baptist Polity and History

  Baptist Theology

  Baptist, Evangelical and Pentecostal Theologies

• Presbyterian House of Studies

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  Testimony
  Dennis Piermont
  Executive Presbyter
  Miami Presbytery (PCUSA)

  read quote

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  United’s Presbyterian House of Studies is designed for students who want to participate actively and meaningfully in Christian ministry and in the renewal of the church within the Reformed Tradition.

  Students participate in a rooted Reformed heritage through ministry formation groups and coursework in Reformed theology, history, doctrine, and polity. The House of Studies also provides peer-collaboration toward the successful navigation of ordination candidacy process.

  Through shared fellowship, ministry formation groups, networking in surrounding presbyteries, and outstanding theological coursework, members of the Presbyterian House of Studies are equipped for deepened Reformed identity and faithful ministry service through ordination candidacy and beyond into ministries of renewal.

  This program is open to any United student who has a passion to renew the church and is seeking to work within the Presbyterian Church or the Reformed Tradition.

  There are a number of courses that are especially appropriate for our Presbyterian students. These include:

  Reformed History and Theology

  Calvin and Calvinism

  Greek I, II

  Hebrew I, II

  Presbyterian Polity

  The European Reformations

  Foundations for Church Renewal

  Church Renewal in Christian Tradition

  Spiritual Disciplines for Renewal