Wimberly School of Religion
& Graduate Theological Center

MISSION

The mission of the Wimberly School of Religion and Graduate Theological Center is to offer religious and theological studies in the United Methodist tradition that unite knowledge and vital piety, explore questions of meaning and value for the lives of all persons, and prepare persons seeking to enter a variety of Christian vocations in service to the church and community.

As a professional school, the Wimberly School of Religion and Graduate Theological Center plays the dual role of preparing persons for service in the church, while at the same time engaging the total student body in the serious study of religion for its own sake through the university’s General Education curriculum.

The curriculum of the Wimberly School of Religion and Graduate Theological Center focuses primarily on basic studies of the faith, values, and religious life that have undergirded Western civilization. The aim of these studies is an understanding of religion and how it relates to various cultures and issues in the modern world.

HONORS IN RELIGION PROGRAM

The Honors Program in Religion recognizes excellence in a student's work at OCU. To be eligible for Honors in Religion the student must have completed 60 semester hours at OCU and a minimum of 24 semester hours in Religion in the Wimberly School of Religion. The student must have a GPA of 3.5 in the Religion Major and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in non-religion courses taken at OCU.

Honor students must complete Religion 4893, Senior Research Paper with at least a grade of "A-."

THETA ALPHA KAPPA

Theta Alpha Kappa, the national religion honor society in the Wimberly School of Religion is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students must have completed three semesters at OCU, completed 12 hours in religious studies, attained a B+ (3.25 GPA) in their religion courses, and maintained at least a B (3.0 GPA) in their total academic program. Graduate students must have completed at least one half of the residency requirements for their degree and attained a 3.5 grade point average for this work.

MINOR IN RELIGION

In addition to courses taken in the foundation curriculum, students pursuing a minor in religion shall take a minimum of 15 hours in the Wimberly School of Religion. The courses shall be from at least three of the following areas: Bible, Church History, Theology or Religion, Culture, and Ethics. Only the third semester of biblical languages may count toward the minor. At least six hours must be taken at the 3000-4000 levels.

A student may not major and minor in the School of Religion. A Religion Minor must have a 2.25 GPA in the courses in religion, and 50% of the courses must be taken in residence at OCU.

CERTIFICATION STUDIES IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Certification is the church's recognition that a person has met the required personal and church qualifications, academic preparation, and work experience necessary to achieve and maintain professional excellence in a particular area of ministry.

Certification is available in the United Methodist Church in the areas of Christian education, youth ministry, church music, parish nursing, church business management, spiritual formation, camping and retreat ministries, and communications.

The majors in Religious Education and Youth Ministry in the Wimberly School of Religion meet the educational requirements of the United Methodist Church for certification in the respective fields. Certification is one of the requirements leading to ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church.

For additional information on requirements for certification and ordination contact the Registrar of the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministry.