Denominational Studies

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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.

    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


    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


    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.

  • Baptist House of Studies

    Contact: Dr. Emma Justes at 937.529.2201 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    Admissions: 800.322.5817 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    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.

    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

    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.

  • Presbyterian House of Studies

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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.

    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

    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.