Preparation for Ministry in the United Methodist Church

Students preparing for ordination as an Elder enroll in the MDiv degree. Students should be aware that UMC requirements include more courses than the MDiv degree requirements. The UMC requires that students complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies and the five UM courses, which are all listed below. Annual conferences may also ask for additional requirements, including CPE. Academic preparation for ordination as a Deacon can be completed in three different ways:

1. The MDiv degree;
2. The MAPSC or MASJE degrees, which may require enrollment beyond two years of study; or
3. With approval of the denomination, students who already have a professional graduate degree in a field related to their work as a Deacon may enroll as non-degree students. These students complete the Basic Graduate Theological Studies course requirements and the five required UM courses.

Students should consult with their Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to discuss the most appropriate way to complete the requirements for ordination as a Deacon.

The following Iliff courses meet the Basic Graduate Theological Studies requirements. This course list was developed in consultation with the UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM):

• Sacred Texts/Contextual Analysis (TX):
  • One course in Hebrew Bible
  • Two courses in New Testament
• Historical Development and Expressions of Religious Traditions (HI):
  • One course
• Constructive Theology (TH):
  • Two courses: A Christology course is highly recommended.
• Theology and Religious Practices (PF):
  • One breadth course explicitly on Christian Worship and one course on preaching
• United Methodist courses: 
  • United Methodist History
  • United Methodist Doctrine
  • United Methodist Discipline and Polity for Leadership
  • UM Mission of Church in the World
  • Evangelism in Contemporary Contexts

The rest of the Iliff curricular requirements will round out student preparation but are not specified by the denomination.

Support for United Methodist Students

Iliff supports United Methodist students in a variety of ways including:

• Periodic special UM courses in addition to requirements for ordination;
• Hosting Annual Conference representatives and facilitating individual and/or group meetings with students;
• Arranging for mentoring groups for the candidacy process;
• Individual advising for students in the ordination process; and
• The Methodist Society, a student group, which meets throughout the academic year.

For further information, contact the Office of Professional Formation, 303-765-3115. To learn about ministry preparation and resources, visit the General Board for Higher Education and Ministry website at: www.gbhem.org.