Educational Requirements

ARKANSAS BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS ANTICIPATING ORDINATION

Applicants must complete courses required by the 2020-2024 United Methodist Book of Discipline ¶324.4 (a chart of all required courses can be found here).

All courses taken in seminary must have a “C” or better grade to be acceptable beginning September 2011.

The only distance education courses allowed to count toward a degree for a candidate seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church shall be offered by one of the 13 official United Methodist schools of theology (BOD, ¶ 1416.3). All United Methodist schools of theology may offer online education for candidates. Candidates may complete up to 100% of their theological education online at one of the 13 official United Methodist schools of theology. If a certified candidate for ministry (for at least one year) anticipates that they will complete all graduate educational requirements prior to June (annual conference time), Applications for provisional membership require the completion of form AR105 (Application for Clergy Relationship) and your preliminary answers to Disciplinary Questions ¶324.9.a-p by the candidate sent to both the District Superintendent and BOM Office by July 15.

For the Provisional Membership Checklist, please click here.