Wimberly School of ReligionOur Mission
The mission of the Wimberly School of Religion is to offer religious and theological studies in the United Methodist tradition that unite knowledge and vital piety, explore questions of meaning and value for the lives of all persons, and prepare persons seeking to enter a variety of Christian vocations in service to the church and community.
As a professional school, the Wimberly School of Religion plays the dual role of preparing persons for service in the church, while at the same time engaging the total student body in the serious study of religion for its own sake through the university’s General Education curriculum.
The curriculum of the Wimberly School of Religion focuses primarily on basic studies of the faith, values, and religious life that have undergirded Western civilization. The aim of these studies is an understanding of religion and how it relates to various cultures and issues in the modern world.
Honors in Religion Program
The Honors Program in Religion recognizes excellence in a student's work at OCU. To be eligible for Honors in Religion the student must have completed 60 semester hours at OCU and a minimum of 24 semester hours in Religion in the Wimberly School of Religion. The student must have a GPA of 3.5 in the Religion Major and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in non-religion courses taken at OCU.
Honor students must complete Religion 4893, Senior Research Paper with at least a grade of "A-."
Theta Alpha Kappa
Theta Alpha Kappa, the national religion honor society in the Wimberly School of Religion is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students must have completed three semesters at OCU, completed 12 hours in religious studies, attained a B+ (3.25 GPA) in their religion courses, and maintained at least a B (3.0 GPA) in their total academic program. Graduate students must have completed at least one half of the residency requirements for their degree and attained a 3.5 grade point average for this work.
Minor in Religion
In addition to courses taken in the general education curriculum, students with a minor in religion will take a minimum of 15 hours in the Wimberly School of Religion. The courses will be from at least three of the following areas: Biblical Studies, History of Christianity; Theology; Religion; Ethics and Culture; or World Religions. At least nine hours must be taken at the 3000 to 4000 level.
Students who wish to minor in religion must apply with the director of the School of Religion. A student may not major and minor in the School of Religion. A religion minor must have a 2.50 GPA and take at least 9 hours of their religion courses in residence at Oklahoma City University.
Certification Studies in the United Methodist Church
Certification is the church's recognition that a person has met the required personal and church qualifications, academic preparation, and work experience necessary to achieve and maintain professional excellence in a particular area of ministry.
Certification is available in the United Methodist Church in the areas of Christian education, youth ministry, childrens ministry, older adult ministry, music ministry, spiritual formation, camp/retreat ministries, evangelism, ministry with the poor, and urban ministry.
The majors in Religious Education and Youth Ministry in the Wimberly School of Religion meet the educational requirements of the United Methodist Church for certification in the respective fields. Certification is one of the requirements leading to ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church.
For additional information on requirements for certification and ordination contact the Registrar of the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministry.
Contact Us
Wimberly School of Religion
Oklahoma City University
2501 N. Blackwelder
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
P: 405-208-5284
For more information contact sbetsworth@okcu.edu.
