Wimberly School of Religion
Faculty: Betsworth, Davies, Long, Starkey, Wolfe
The mission of the Wimberly School of Religion is to offer religious and theological studies in the United Methodist tradition that unite knowledge and vital piety, explore questions of ultimate concern for the lives of all human beings, and to prepare persons seeking to enter a variety of Christian vocations in service to the church and community. The purpose of graduate study in religion is to involve students in serious philosophical and theological consideration of the questions of humanity’s origin, destiny, meaning, and purpose. This demands highly motivated and qualified students who are interested in exploring critically the ways in which questions of ultimate concern relate to the lives of human beings. The Wimberly School of Religion is committed to the development of dedicated and competent leaders of Christ’s church as the people of God with ministries in God’s world. The school seeks to provide the church with educational opportunities for study in all of the disciplines related to the ministry of the church, such as biblical, theological, ethical, educational, and practical ministry studies. The Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.) is a professional degree for those who want to prepare for service in the church as a director of Christian education, director of program ministries, director of youth or children’s ministries, and other ministries related to religious education. The M.R.E. degree meets the requirements of the United Methodist Church for certification as a director of Christian education or director of youth ministry. It also serves others who wish to strengthen their skills and knowledge in religious education through the study of major sources of biblical, theological, historical, ethical and cultural studies and by integrating those studies into the ministry of education.
CERTIFICATION STUDIES IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Certification is the church’s recognition that a person has met the required personal and church qualifications and gained the academic qualifications and work experience necessary to achieve and maintain professional excellence. Certification is available in the United Methodist Church in a variety of areas of specialization. The School of Religion has been approved by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church to provide the academic programs related to certification in the areas of Christian education and youth ministry. A person can fulfill the academic requirements of certification studies at Oklahoma City University by earning a
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Wimberly school of religion
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bachelor’s degree plus five graduate certification courses in the area of specialization, including the course in United Methodist Doctrine and Polity. These courses are Nature and Work in Christian Education, The Bible in Christian Education/Youth Ministry, Relating Theology to Christian Education/Youth Ministry, Administration and Leadership, and United Methodist Doctrine and Polity. The following are ways a person can fulfill the academic requirements for associate certification studies at Oklahoma City University: 1. Complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in general undergraduate course work and complete five graduate certification studies courses in the area of specialization, including the course United Methodist Doctrine and Polity. 2. Complete a minimum of 24 semester hours in the area of specialization (such as the Program for Associate Certification in Youth Ministry or Program for Associ- ate Certification in Christian Education) in the School of Religion. For additional information on requirements for certification, contact the registrar of the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministry.
MASTER OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Admission
No student will be admitted to the graduate degree program in the Wimberly School of Religion without submitting complete and official transcripts from all institutions attended with evidence of an undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.000. It is recommended that entering students have significant work in the humanities, including religion, and the social sciences. The director, in consultation with the faculty, may modify this recommendation in exceptional cases. Students who have completed an undergraduate major in Christian education or youth ministry from schools recognized as approved by the United Methodist Section of Deacons may petition to take advanced studies in related courses upon recommendation by the director of the Wimberly School of Religion.
Transfer of Graduate Work
Up to 28 hours of foundation courses and an additional 3 credit hours with a grade of B- or above and approval by the faculty may be transferred from another accredited institution. Courses completed in pursuit of a graduate degree already received will not be allowed as credit for another graduate degree. No course work from an accredited institution may be transferred unless the grade received was at least B- (2.750). Course work completed more than five
graduate catalog