United Methodist Church higher education

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Schools, colleges, and universities are related to the United Methodist Church through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry [1] . In 2022, there are a total of 107 UM-Affiliated schools, colleges, and universities. In 2021, there were 108, as shown on this map of UM-Affiliated institutions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

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The schools are identified and reviewed by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church as having met criteria for institutional integrity, well-structured programs, sound management and clearly defined church relationships. [2] Some of the schools are related to the church primarily through historic associations with Methodism while others have current active affiliations. All affiliated institutions have been identified as having affirmed the Education Covenant of Partnership at the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. [3]

All schools, colleges/universities, and seminaries without regard to affiliation but with a historical relationship to the Church have been members of the National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church. In July 2020, that organization became more inclusive and changed its name to the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU) [4] . With the changes, the organization welcomes educational institutions that are not United Methodist-affiliated but do have a Methodist background or are affiliated with another Wesleyan denomination, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. [5] Affiliated institutions are also listed as members of the International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU). [6] Some (although not all) are actively involved with the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. [7]

The Black College Fund

One of the most significant ways The United Methodist Church helps make quality education accessible to all is through the Black College Fund (BCF). The fund supports the 11 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUS) related to the church – the largest number of black colleges and universities receiving funding from any church body in the United States. [8] The Black College Fund does not offer scholarships. Instead, the fund gives the participating colleges the finances they need to help students have a successful college experience. The Black College Fund helps support college staff and faculty who can serve as strong intellectual, cultural and spiritual mentors. Students can apply for direct scholarships and loans through GBHEM’s Office of Loans and Scholarships.

Methodist Global and Regional Education Associations

GBHEM helps connect Methodist-related and Methodist-affiliated higher education institutions across the globe. Explore our full listing of global and regional educational associations below. [9]

International

Africa

The Americas

Asia and the Pacific

Europe and Eurasia

GBHEM Resources and Curriculum

The Awakened Life: The Awakened Life is an eight-week small group curriculum designed to equip chaplains, collegiate ministers and spiritual leaders in helping college students navigate emotional disturbance, build resiliency and learn psychosocial skills. It is a resource that helps to foster mental, emotional and spiritual well-being using mindfulness techniques. Research demonstrates that mindfulness practices contribute to improved mood, concentration and relationships; and with its rich contemplative history, our faith tradition has much to add to this conversation. This curriculum training is offered in both virtual and in-person retreats. CEU credits are available for U.S. registrants only. [10]

Francis Asbury Award: Named for early American Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury, this award honors his call to establish a school in the vicinity of every church. “We must,” he said, “ … give the key of knowledge to your children, and those of the poor in the vicinity of your small towns and villages.” Today, the award recognizes United Methodist individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering United Methodist ministries in higher education at the local, district or annual conference level. It is awarded annually to one honoree per annual conference. [11]

The Awakened Traveler: Whether you are a solo traveler or prefer to travel in groups, whether your next excursion will take you across the globe or into a neighboring community, The Awakened Traveler, is a fun, interactive adventure designed to help you and your friends think more deeply about the spirituality of travel. [12]

Related Research Articles

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelicalism. The present denomination was founded in 1968 in Dallas, Texas, by union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in England, as well as the Great Awakening in the United States. As such, the church's theological orientation is decidedly Wesleyan. It embraces liturgical worship, holiness, and evangelical elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew University</span> Private university in Madison, New Jersey

Drew University is a private university in Madison, New Jersey. Drew has been nicknamed the "University in the Forest" because of its wooded 186-acre (75 ha) campus. As of fall 2020, more than 2,200 students were pursuing degrees at the university's three schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbury University</span> Christian liberal arts university in Wilmore, Kentucky

Asbury University is a private Christian university in Wilmore, Kentucky. Although it is a non-denominational school, the college is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The school offers 50-plus majors across 17 departments. In the fall of 2016, Asbury University had a total enrollment of 1,854: 1,640 traditional undergraduate students and 214 graduate students. The campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, which became a separate institution in 1922, is located across the street from Asbury University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian school</span> School run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization

A Christian school is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Presbyterian Seminary</span> Seminary in Virginia, US

Union Presbyterian Seminary is a Presbyterian seminary in Richmond, Virginia. It also has a non-residential campus in Charlotte, North Carolina and an online blended learning program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claremont School of Theology</span> Graduate school in Claremont, California

Claremont School of Theology (CST) is a private graduate school focused on religion and theology and located in Claremont, California. It is an official theological school of the United Methodist Church. Although it is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, it is accredited with a "notice of concern"; it is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

Tyndale University is a Canadian private interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Toronto, Ontario, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Tyndale students come from over 40 different Christian denominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candler School of Theology</span> U.S. educational institution

Candler School of Theology is one of seven graduate schools at Emory University, located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. A university-based school of theology, Candler educates ministers, scholars of religion and other leaders. It is also one of 13 seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

The Meadville Lombard Theological School is a Unitarian Universalist seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazarene Theological College, Manchester</span>

The Nazarene Theological College (NTC), located in Didsbury, south Manchester, is an affiliated college of the University of Manchester. It offers theological degrees in various specialised disciplines across BA, MA, MPhil, and PhD. NTC has its roots in the Church of the Nazarene and belongs to the World Methodist Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Theological College</span>

Queen's School of Religion, formerly Queen's Theological College, is affiliated with Queen's University at Kingston. Graduates receive their degrees from Queen's University. Queen's School of Religion is also accredited by ATS.

Asbury Theological Seminary is a Christian Wesleyan seminary in the historical Methodist tradition located in Wilmore, Kentucky. It is the largest seminary of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. It is known for its advocacy of egalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interdenominational Theological Center</span>

The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is a consortium of five predominantly African-American denominational Christian seminaries in Atlanta, Georgia, operating together as a professional graduate school of theology. It is the largest free-standing African-American theological school in the United States.

The University of the Latin American Educational Center is a non-profit private university based in Rosario, Argentina. Established in 1993, it was the first Methodist-related university in Argentina, and the first independent degree-granting university in Rosario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Theological Seminary</span> Methodist seminary in Ohio, United States

United Theological Seminary is a United Methodist seminary in Trotwood, Ohio. Founded in 1871 by Milton Wright, it was originally sponsored by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In 1946, members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ merged with the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church, with which the seminary then became affiliated. When that denomination merged with The Methodist Church in 1968, United Theological Seminary became one of the thirteen seminaries affiliated with the new United Methodist Church (UMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary</span>

Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) is a graduate-level theological institution located near Metro Manila in the Philippines. APNTS is a seminary in the Wesleyan theological tradition and affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene through its Division of World Mission. Its mission is to prepare "men and women for Christ-like leadership and excellence in ministries." Its institutional vision is: "Bridging cultures for Christ, APNTS equips each new generation of leaders to disseminate the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Asia, the Pacific, and the world.

The University Senate of the United Methodist Church is a body to oversee all its affiliated schools, colleges, universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Methodism in the United States</span>

The history of Methodism in the United States dates back to the mid-18th century with the ministries of early Methodist preachers such as Laurence Coughlan and Robert Strawbridge. Following the American Revolution most of the Anglican clergy who had been in America came back to England. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, sent Thomas Coke to America where he and Francis Asbury founded the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was to later establish itself as the largest denomination in America during the 19th century.

North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU) is a private, not-for-profit organization of colleges and universities associated with the United Methodist Church. The UMC has more colleges, universities, theological schools and preparatory schools related to it than any other Protestant denomination, and 119 schools are currently listed as meeting the approved guidelines of the University Senate.

References

  1. "General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Homepage". Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  2. United Methodist-Related Schools, Colleges, Universities and Theological Schools Archived 2023-02-26 at the Wayback Machine from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
  3. "Education Covenant of Partnership". Archived from the original on 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  4. "NAAMSCU". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  5. "Changes afoot for United Methodist schools' group". United Methodist News Service. Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  6. "International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities". Archived from the original on 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  7. "University Senate of the United Methodist Church". Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  8. "The Black College Fund". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  9. "Methodist Global and Regional Education Associations". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  10. "The Awakened Life". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  11. "Francis Asbury Award". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  12. "The Awakened Traveler". Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.