Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
theological understandings. For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Saint Paul Course of Study (COS) School educated 265 individual students with a total registration of 650 classes; offering a total of 53 courses located Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Saint Paul launched a part-time, accelerated pilot COS satellite program (PML) in Columbia, MO in 2018 and added a second track in 2019. Saint Paul School of Theology is blessed to be in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ and to help others respond to God’s call. We are a seminary that offers classes and experiences to folks from many denominations and faith walks. Our work as faculty and staff is to provide excellence in theological and practical education for ALL persons called and capable to attend. Remember: “Where two or more are gathered” Christ is there with us. President Neil Blair, Saint Paul trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students thank you for your interest, prayers, and support. United Theological Seminary Since 1871, United Theological Seminary has prepared faithful and fruitful Christian leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ. United welcomes all who are following God’s call on their lives, and many are answering God’s call! In the 2023-2024 academic year, the seminary served 595 graduate students, making it the second largest of the thirteen United Methodist seminaries in the United States, according to the Association of Theological Schools. 1 A diverse community of many denominations, races and nationalities, United welcomed students from 35 states, 21 nations, and 48 denominations, with United Methodists representing the largest group at 30 percent of the student body. 2 Academics In large part, enrollment growth is due to continued interest in United’s Houses of Study programs, which offer master’s and certificate tracks to equip students for the unique ministry needs of the communities, movements, and denominations in which they serve. In summer 2024, United welcomed its inaugural cohort of Doctor of Theology students. The advanced research degree program is conducted primarily from a distance, requiring only four weeks of in-person intensives during the three-year program. During their program, students develop original research with a focus on church renewal. United’s Doctor of Ministry program continues to attract students looking for an advanced professional degree to expand their ministerial and leadership capabilities. In the 2023-2024 school year, 267 students participated in the mentor-led program. Finances United celebrated becoming debt free in May 2024, after making its last payment on a $3.3 million debt to its endowment. In addition to eliminating the seminary’s debt, United has been focused on reducing the educational debt of its students. The Fresh Wind campaign to raise $10 million for the endowment will expand scholarship opportunities for students for generations to come. With the increase in scholarship
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