Master of Religious Education
Master of Religious Education Degree Requirements
The Masters of Religious Education (MRE) is a professional degree for those who want to prepare for service in the church as a directer of Christian education, director of program ministries, director of youth or children’s ministries, and other ministries related to religious education. The MRE 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 integrating those studies into the ministry of education.
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES: 27-28 Credit Hrs
These courses are taken through Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU and transfered into the Wimberly School of Religion Master of Religious Education program.
HBS-301 - Introduction to the Hebrew Bible - 3
NTS 301 - Introduction to the New Testament - 3
THL 301 - Introduction to Systematic Theology - 3
HST 301 - Introduction to Christian Traditions I - 3 or
HST 302 - Introduction to Christian Traditions II - 3
CHS 330 - Mission of the Church in the Contemporary World - 3
EVN 311 - Evangelism Through the Local Church - 3 or
EVN 312 - Theologies and Models of Evangelism - 3 or
EVN 348 - Evangelism in a Pluralistic Society - 3
WOR 410 - Introduction to Worship: - 3 or
WOR 412 - or equivalent- 3
DST 311 - United Methodist Doctrine - 2 or
DST 312 - Means of Grace in the Wesleyan Tradition - 3 or
DST 313 - John Wesley and the Movements of the Spirit - 3
DST 320 - United Methodist History - 2
DST 330 - United Methodist Polity - 2
Choose 1 of the following courses – 3
5213 – Modern Trends in the World’s Religious
5223 – Critical Issues in Christian Ethics
5843 – Seminar in Hebrew Bible
5853 – Seminar in Church History
5873 – Seminar in Religion
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COURSES: 18 Credit Hrs
1. Required:
5603 – Nature & Work of Christian Education – 3
5623 – Religious and Moral Development - 3
5633 – The Bible in Christian Education - .
5643 – Relating Theology to Christian Education – 3
2. Choose 2 of the following Age Level Ministries – 6
5703 – Ministry with Children and Families
5713 – Ministry with Youth
5723 – Ministry with Adults
3. Internship in Religious Education – 2
5981 – Internship
ELECTIVES
Choose courses from the following or from options above to equal a minimum of 56/59 hours. Candidates have the option of writing a project/thesis as part of their approved course work for the Master of Religious Education. Candidates choosing the project/thesis option will be required to complete a total of 56 hours for the degree. Students who choose not to do the project/thesis will be required to complete a total of 59 hours.
5733 - Adolescent World - 3
5833 - Theology and Music - 3
5881-3 - Seminar in Religious Education 1-3
5891-3 - Special Topics - 1-3
5951-3 - Readings in Religion - 1-3
5993 - Research Project/Thesis in Religious Education - 3
Appropriate courses from other master degrees at OCU may be included with the approval of the Director of the Wimberly School of Religion.
ADMISSION
A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average is required for admission. Entering students should have significant work in the humanities and social sciences. Courses completed in pursuit of a graduate degree already received will not be allowed as credit for another graduate degree.
REQUIRED GRADE POINT AVERAGE
Students must maintain a minimum B (3.0) grade average per semester. A course with a grade below "C" cannot be used as part of the minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree. At least a "B" (3.0) grade average on the OCU scale is required for graduation.
Total - 56/59 hours
