1. Evaluation of transcripts for the purpose of transferring credit to the Course of Study shall be done by the professional staff of the Division of Ordained Ministry, The Division of Ordained Ministry at the request of the conference Board of Ordained Ministry, District Superintendent or individual. Copies of the evaluation are sent to the conference Board of Ordained Ministry Registrar.

2. The request of the board shall be accompanied by the official transcript(s) to be evaluated and a general description of the applicant’s educational background. When it is not possible to send an official transcript, a photocopy may be submitted.

3. Transcripts from graduate schools and schools of theology recognized by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church shall be acceptable for evaluation and the transfer of credit.

4. Credit received from a graduate school or seminary not recognized by the University Senate for the Basic Five-Year COS will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

5. Credit received from all other sources shall be reviewed and approved by the conference Board of Ordained Ministry Relations Committee and the Division of Ordained Ministry.

6. Credit may only be granted for a course of one and one-third semester hours or two quarter hours or more when the content and objectives of the course are substantially the same as the purpose and goals of a similar course in the Course of Study, and the course has been taken in the last 10 years. Exceptions to this policy will be considered only at the request of the conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

7. No introductory graduate school and seminary courses may be applied to the Advanced Course of Study unless they are in areas not covered by the Basic Five-Year Course of Study.

8. Credits transferred to the Advanced Course of Study shall include a balance between foundational courses (e.g., theology, church history, biblical study) and functional studies (e.g., counseling, administration, preaching, education, missions, evangelism).

9. Undergraduate credit may only be considered for Course of Study credit when requested in writing by the conference Board of Ordained Ministry for a maximum of six (6) courses.

10. Undergraduate credit or seminary credit for courses with grades of less than "C" shall not be allowed as applicable to the Course of Study.

return to About COS