Other Academic Programs
Exploratory Status
For persons who wish to explore theological education and may be interested in pursuing a degree in the future may be admitted as Exploratory students. Exploratory students are eligible for up to 50% tuition assistance from Perkins for as many as two credit-bearing courses taken within a single 12-month period. The student must submit a completed Non-degree application and indicate Exploratory.
Non-Degree Programs
Persons who wish to take courses for credit but who do not wish to enter a degree program may seek admission to Perkins as a non-degree seeking student. The student must submit a completed application.
Admission as a non-degree seeking student is for one year (two terms) only. A student desiring to continue beyond the one-year limit must formally ask the associate dean for academic affairs to continue beyond the two terms. Admission as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee, nor does it preclude, later admission to any degree program offered by Perkins. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for any form of financial assistance from the school.
Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS)
The basic graduate theological studies required for those seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church include courses in the areas of Old Testament, New Testament, church history, theology, mission, worship, preaching, evangelism and United Methodist history, doctrine and polity. These courses are offered regularly on the Dallas campus, as off-campus intensives, or online.
The following courses satisfy these requirements:
- OT6300 - Interpretation Old Testament
- NT6300 - Interpreting the New Testament
- HX6300 - The Christian Heritage
- ST6303 - Interpretation of the Christian Message
- MT6300 - Christian Ethics in Social Context (UMC “mission” requirement)
- WO6313 - Introduction to Christian Worship
- PR6300 - Introduction to Preaching
- EV7307 - The Theory and Practice of Evangelism
- HX7265 - United Methodist History
- CA7213 - United Methodist Polity
- ST7234 - United Methodist Doctrine
*Please note, non-degree students are not eligible for federal aid.