As a school grounded in the Pan-Methodist tradition, Hood Theological Seminary is an excellent institution for students preparing for ordination in the United Methodist denomination to complete their theological training.

The University Senate of the United Methodist Church has listed Hood as “an approved graduate theological Seminary” since July 1, 1999. For over fifteen years, Hood has produced a significant number of pastors for the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, as well as other annual conferences in Virginia and the Carolinas. In 2015 alone, 10 alumni were ordained and 14 were commissioned as provisional elders throughout three annual conferences.

We offer the following services for UM Students:

• A dynamic learning environment where UMC students can interact with pastors and future church leaders in all major Methodist denominations, including the AME Zion, AME, and CME traditions.
• Flexible class schedule options for UMC students currently serving churches.
• UMC M.Div. students are paired with a United Methodist Faculty Advisor who will help guide the student through the Seminary’s curriculum, as well as denominational, and annual Conference requirements for ordination.
• A strong focus on Board of Ordained Ministry preparation in UM Studies classes.
• UMC Studies courses in history, doctrine, polity, missions, and evangelism offered each year.
• Advanced courses in Wesleyan and Methodist theology and history taught by experts in those fields.
• The opportunity to discuss paperwork prepared during the candidacy, provisional, and ordination processes with faculty who are experts in Wesleyan history and theology.
• Periodic workshops on preparing for the Board of Ordained Ministry.
• Periodic Wesleyan immersion trips to England.
• United Methodist Seminarians, or "HUMS," which seeks to build community, nurture faith, and strengthen relationships among current UM students while expanding mentoring and vocational opportunities for UM students and increasing our UM students involvement in the denomination's connection.

Kimberly Clarke is the Director of the Institute for Early Career Clergy Development at Hood Theological Seminary and point of contact for UM students at 704-636-6891.
kclarke@hoodseminary.edu