Wimberly School of Religion
& Graduate Theological Center

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 direction 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: 28 Credit Hrs
5001 – Orientation to Religious Studies - 1
5103 – Old Testament Interpretation - 3
5123 – New Testament Interpretation - 3
5203 - Topics in Church History – 3
5313 - History of the United Methodist Tradition – 3
(Non-Methodists may substitute an elective)
5403 – Major Themes in Theology – 3
5413 – United Methodist Doctrine & Polity – 3
(Non-Methodists may substitute an elective)
5453 – Mission of the Church in the Contemporary World – 3
5763 – Rites & Rituals in the Faith Pilgrimage – 3
or 5803 – Worship and Music

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: 24 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
5653 – Administration and Leadership – 3
5673 – Small Group Leadership and Dynamics – 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

ELECTIVIES
Choose courses from the following or from options above to equal a minimum of 57/60 hours. Candidates for 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 57 hours for the degree. Students who choose not to do the project/thesis will be required to complete a total of 60 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 degree at OCU may be included with the approval of the Dean of the School of Religion, and Graduate Theological Center, e.g. GFED 6313 Creativity: Person and Process or COUN 5013 Personal Growth and Counseling

Total - 57/60 hours