Northeastern Seminary Educational Partnership
Contact: Admissions | United Theological Seminary
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| 800.322.5817
JP Anderson | Northestern Seminary
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| 585.594.6832
United Methodist Master of Divinity students in this program must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours from United Theological Seminary. Upon approval by the Academic Dean(s), up to 48 of the remainder hours may be taken from Northeastern Seminary. Upon successful completion of the articulated program, the student will receive the Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary.
Prospective students may apply for admission to either Northeastern Seminary or United, and may be accepted by either institution. However, to qualify for most United Methodist Church (UMC) funding, UMC students must be admitted to a UMC or UMC-approved school. United Theological Seminary is officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church and its Master of Divinity degree (including cross-registration and transfer courses accepted by the United Academic Dean) is approved for the ordination requirements of the UMC.
Download a PDF of the required courses
What is meant by cross-registration?
Students can utilize the academic resources and curriculum of both United Theological Seminary and Northeastern Seminary as they pursue their Master of Divinity degree. Upon enrollment in either institution students can register for classes that are applicable toward the student’s graduate program, as offered in the cross registration plan. Registration is on a space available basis and the courses taken are governed by the academic policies of the institution offering the course with regard to course requirements, withdrawal policies, grading, etc. Students must be registered for at least three credit hours at their “home” school throughout the duration of the requested course.
What is meant by “home” institution and “host” institution?
The “home” institution is the one from which students intend to receive their degree. The home institution houses all student records including admission and academic transcripts. Financial aid processing and collection for tuition are also handled by the home institution.
The “host” institution is one from which a student may take courses but does not intend to receive a degree. The host institution is responsible for transferring grades and tuition costs to the home institution to be processed.
What degree can I earn? Which seminary will I get my degree from and will this be accepted by the United Methodist Church to meet the disciplinary requirements for ordination?
The curriculum design of this program meets the disciplinary requirements for ordination in the United Methodist Church and allows students to earn the Master of Divinity degree.
How long will it take to complete my degree?
The program is designed so that a student who begins at Northeastern Seminary and takes 27-28 credits per academic year through a combination of traditional, hybrid, and online courses can complete a degree in 3 years. This is a highly rigorous schedule so the program also accommodates students wishing to take only 19 credits per year at Northeastern Seminary for two years; they can complete the remaining credits (about 22 credits per year, distributed between United and Northeastern) in an additional two years for a total program length of 4 years.
Do I have to apply for admission to both United and NES to be part of this program – and whose admission process should I complete?
To participate in the cross registration arrangement you may apply for admission to either school—you do not have to apply to both schools. If you enter through the United admission process then United is your home institution and you merely register for courses offered at Northeastern as a United student. If you enter the program through the Northeastern admissions process, Northeastern would serve as your home institution and you would necessarily transfer to United after taking between 41 and 52 credits in order to complete your University Senate approved M.Div. degree. In either case your application for admission will be copied to both schools.
Who must approve my cross-registration and how do I register?
Students must obtain approval from both institutions before cross-registering at the host institution by securing the signatures of both deans and the registrar from the host school. This process occurs after the formal acceptance into either program.
Which seminary will bill me and at what rate?
Students are billed by the home school, the school whose program the student is matriculated, for credits taken at both the home school and the host school. Charges will be made according to the cost per credit hour of the school in which the course originates. For example, a student who enters the program and registers through United (the home school) will receive a bill for credits taken from United and/or Northeastern at the respective current cost per credit hour. Likewise, a student who enters the program and registers through Northeastern will receive a bill from Northeastern that includes charges for credits taken from Northeastern at the current cost per credit hour ($404 for 2010-11) and for the credits taken from United at their current cost per credit hour ($606 for 2010-11). The home school is responsible for issuing one bill to the student regardless of which institution offers the course, for collecting all tuition charges from the student, and for reimbursing the host school any tuition cost incurred by the home school’s students.
Will I be eligible for scholarships and how do I apply?
Students use the financial aid services of the home school and are eligible for scholarships according to the home school’s scholarship programs and application process i.e. student sends FAFSA information to home school for processing. Students are encouraged to pursue any independent scholarships as well. Only students whose home school is United Seminary are eligible for United Methodist monies. Inquiries about specifics should be directed to the home school’s admission or financial aid office or at:
Northeastern Seminary Financial Aid
United Financial Aid
How many credits must I take at United Seminary?
United Methodist Master of Divinity students in this program must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours from United Theological Seminary. Upon approval of the academic dean(s), up to 48 of the remainder hours may be taken from Northeastern Seminary. Upon successful completion of the articulated program, the student will receive the Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary.
What is the expected credit load per semester? Can I go part time in this program?
United Seminary’s Master of Divinity degree program requires the completion of 78 credit hours over a three-year period. This usually means 26 credit hours per year or 13 credit hours per semester. Specific requirements concerning course work can be found in United’s online catalog.
Who will have my transcript of courses taken and how will I get my grades?
The registrar at the home school maintains course work records and issues the course-work transcript.