Garrett-Evangelical News

Programs of Study

Certification Studies

Our six certification programs offer church leaders ways to enhance skills and professional stature in ministries they love.

Making it as simple as 1, 2, 3...

1. If you have a passion for ministry, we invite you to take a course in
one of our 6 certification programs to see how you like it.

2. It could lead to a professional certification that would enhance your
opportunities for lay ministry.

3. Or it could be the first step on the path to becoming ordained as a
Deacon, or as continuing education for those already ordained.

Which one are you passionate about?

Each of the following 6 programs of study involves a cluster of
5 courses and meets UMC certification requrirements.

Eliminating the hassle and expense...

Courses are available during 2-week intensives on campus in January and July, or
during the regular fall and spring terms.

Online courses will soon be available, so you can work from home.

Monies are available to offset costs for registered candidates for certification through GBHEM.

No time like now!

If you're yearning to enhance your ministry, now's the time to immerse yourself in dynamic courses taught by outstanding faculty. Learn cutting-edge techniques and practices in the field.

For more information...

Admissions Office: 847-866-3945 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or contact The United Methodist Church's GBHEM for more information:
www.gbhem.org/certification/cert_home.html

Admissions Requirements ⁄ Admissions Procedures ⁄ Admissions Application

BGTS

Deacon and Basic Graduate Theological Studies

Deacon Studies for United Methodist Students

Persons ordained as deacons in The United Methodist Church are engaged in ministries of word and service that connect church and world. The process of ordination includes both educational preparation and annual conference review. Garrett-Evangelical cooperates with annual conferences and districts to support students in completing the educational requirements and assists with on-site mentoring and support. Persons complete educational requirements through one of two routes:

1. the completion of a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity degree

2. the completion of Basic Graduate Theological Studies at Garrett-Evangelical in conjunction with a master's degree in an area of service (e.g., counseling, social work, peace studies) or in conjunction with United Methodist certification studies (see tab above).

For further information on deacon orders, check with your annual conference registrar and the following link to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministries.

Basic Graduate Theological Studies for Deacon Studies
Completion Requirements 2010-2011

Nine courses are required, one from each of the following areas (two courses from UM Studies). Three semester hours per course is the recommended minimum.

Old Testament Interpretation
11-500	Introduction to Old Testament	4
New Testament Interpretation
12-500	Introduction to New Testament	4
Church History
13-501	History of Christian Thought & Practice 1	3
Theology
21-505 or 21-506 or 21-507 or 21-508	Introduction to Theology Doctrine of God/Doctrine of Creation Christology/Theological Anthropology Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology	3
Ethics (meets Mission of the Church requirement)
22-501 or 22-504 or 22-506	Church and Society Church and Community Christian Moral Reasoning	3
Worship
31-511 or 31-542	Christian Public Worship United Methodist Worship	3
Evangelism
34-537 or 34/21-628	Empowering the Congregation for Evangelism Theology of Evangelism	3
United Methodist Studies
40-674	United Methodist Studies: Wesley & 19th Century	3
40-673	United Methodist Studies: 20th Century to Present	3
	Total 29 semester hours to complete

Admissions Requirements ⁄ Admissions Procedures ⁄ Admissions Application

Course of Study

The Course of Study School

The Course of Study School at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary offers licensed Local Pastors the opportunity to fulfill the United Methodist Church's requirements through a five-year program of theological study that promotes biblical knowledge and pastoral leadership. The School is conducted each summer for part- and full-time Local Pastors in English, Spanish, and Hmong. It follows a curriculum established by the General Board for Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. Extension Course of Study Schools asssociated with Garrett-Evangelical are located in Indiana and Springfield, Illinois. Students from African-American Methodist denominations - AME, AME Zion and CME - are weclome when recommended by denominational leaders. Students from other denominations may be admitted at the director's discretion.

To learn more about Course of Study or Advanced Course of Study, click here.

Enrichment Studies

For continuing education or exploring a degree program. A maximum of 5 courses may be taken as an enrichment student (Some courses are not available to enrichment students.)