2020/2024 Book of Discipline and Great Plains policies
The minimum education to be received as a local pastor is a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (or the international equivalent if education was completed outside the United States). Since serving as a local pastor can be seen learning while also doing (or vice versa), there are certain educational requirements that must be completed in order to continue to serve as a local pastor – completion of the basic Course of Study program or completion of a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate approved school.
There are a few educational tracks for deacons. All require completion of the Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS) classes through a University Senate approved school or GBHEM approved program.
Completion of a Master of Divinity or other theological master degree from a University Senate approved school (must include the BGTS)
Completion a master’s degree in the area of specialized ministry, i.e. a MSW for a deacon specializing in social work, plus completion of the BGTS
If the transfer deacon candidate is at least thirty-five years old, a third option is available: completion of professional certification in the area of ministry where the deacon will serve PLUS completion of a minimum of eight semester hours of graduate credit in that area PLUS completion of the BGTS
There are two educational tracks for elders. Both require completion of the Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS) classes through a University Senate approved school or a GBHEM approved program.
Traditional route: completion of a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate approved school that includes the BGTS
Non-traditional route: completion of Course of Study and Advanced Course of Study
Post high school (official) educational transcripts are submitted to [email protected] with a request for evaluation for educational equivalency. The Board of Ordained Ministry registrar will evaluate the education in light of United States denominational requirements to identity if there are any missing requirements. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will be consulted if any education was completed at non-University Senate approved schools or internationally.
GBHEM is consulted with any educational evaluation that includes work at a school that is not currently included in the University Senate list of approved schools. GBHEM has a record of all previously approved schools and the dates of approval. If work was completed when the school was approved by the University Senate, then it is considered to meet the Book of Discipline requirement. If the work was completed at a time when the school was not approved by the University Senate, then the work can be considered for Course of Study equivalency.
¶324.4 The Basic Graduate Theological Studies include at least three semester hours (or quarter hour equivalent) each in the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, theology, church history, mission of the church in the world, evangelism, worship/liturgy and preaching plus an additional six semester hours total covering United Methodist doctrine, history and polity (usually offered as three individual 2-hour classes or two 3-hour combined topic classes. Consult with the conference registrar for additional details or to confirm if a course meets the BGTS expectation.
A hybrid class, per all accrediting institutions, must be at least 50% in person and thus “counts” as an in-person class.
Yes and no. Coursework completed at a United Methodist theological school or Course of Study/Advanced Course of Study program may be completed 100% online. Students at other University Senate approved schools must complete their education through either in-person or hybrid formats as online-only education is limited to the United Methodist schools.
Course of Study is a twenty course “learn while you practice” alternative educational program for United Methodist local pastors who are not interested in or not eligible to complete a Master of Divinity degree. For full-time local pastors, the expectation is that the program will be completed within five years (4 classes per year) with a reduced course load expectation for part-time local pastors. The COS program is designed and overseen by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).
Course of Study is offered through eight of the United Methodist seminaries plus many courses are offered online through GBHEM. More information plus a link to a list of where COS is offered is available at https://www.gbhem.org/clergy/licensing-course-of-study/.
Advanced Course of Study (ACOS) consists of thirty-two semester hours (or the quarter hour equivalent) of graduate theological study offered by a seminary recognized by the University Senate. ACOS must include the Basic Graduate Theological Studies. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry offers some of the ACOS course requirements through an online portal.
ACOS is often a non-degree program. As such, funding (scholarships or grants) for ACOS is often limited. However, some University Senate approved schools are starting to offer master degree programs specifically designed to meet the requirements of ACOS. Degree programs, while they might require completion of a few additional hours of coursework, are usually eligible for additional scholarship/grant/educational loan funding. Contact the conference registrar for additional information.
