Perkins School of Theology is one of Southern Methodist University's three original schools and is located in Dallas, Texas. The theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J. and Lois Craddock Perkins of Wichita Falls, Texas. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. It is one of only five university-related theological institutions of the United Methodist Church, and one of the denomination's 13 seminaries, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, and accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Perkins includes the Houston-Galveston Extension Program.
The faculty and staff of Perkins are committed to our mission of preparing women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry. Students study with a faculty, diverse both culturally and in theological perspective, in the school's graduate degree and certificate studies programs. Practical internships integrate classroom learning with hands-on ministry, and the world-renowned Bridwell Library offers students and scholars theological resources for pastors and scholars unrivaled in the United States. Faculty and practicing clergy also work together to offer continuing education for clergy and laity, as well as other programs such as the United Methodist Church's Course of Study school for local pastors.
Library
The Bridwell Library is one of the leading theological research collections in the United States. It is named for its benefactor Joseph Sterling Bridwell, an oilman and rancher who was a neighbor of the Perkinses in Wichita Falls.
Internships
The Perkins Intern Program is widely recognized as an exemplary program in preparing persons for effective Christian ministry. The three full-time Intern Faculty members are committed to working with each Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ministry student to provide an internship that maximizes learning opportunities within a hands-on ministerial experience. Learn more.
Specialized study
Students in the M.Div., M.A.M., and M.T.S. degree programs may choose from the following areas of concentration: African American Church Studies, Anglican Studies, Church/Nonprofit Management (with SMU's Cox School of Business), Hispanic Studies, Pastoral Care, Social Innovation and Nonprofit Engagement (with SMU's Meadows School of the Arts), Urban Ministry, Women's and Gender Studies. Other programs of interest include spiritual formation and Global Theological Education. Learn more.
Resources
The Bridwell Library houses a religious studies research collection of more than 385,000 volumes and outstanding collections of rare books, Bibles, and manuscripts.
Notable alumni/ae
Notable faculty
- William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies
- Charles Curran (theologian), Elizabeth Scurlock University Professor of Human Values
- Ruben Habito, Professor of World Religions and Spirituality
Emeritus and deceased faculty members
- Joseph L. Allen, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor Emeritus of Ethics
- William S. Babcock, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor Emeritus of Church History
- Jouette M. Bassler, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor Emerita of New Testament
- Victor Paul Furnish, Ph.D., Yale University, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament
- John Wesley Hardt, B.D., Southern Methodist University, Bishop in Residence Emeritus
- Kenneth W. Hart, D.M.A., University of Cincinnati, Professor Emeritus of Sacred Music
- John C. Holbert, Ph.D., Southern Methodist University, Professor Emeritus of Homiletics
- Leroy T. Howe, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology
- James E. Kirby, Ph.D., Drew University, Professor Emeritus of Church History
- H. Neill McFarland, Ph.D., Columbia University, Professor Emeritus of History of Religion
- Richard D. Nelson, Ph.D., Union Theological Seminary, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation
- Schubert M. Ogden, Ph.D., University of Chicago, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theology
- Klaus Penzel, Th.D., Union Theological Seminary, Professor Emeritus of Church History
- Edward W. Poitras, Ph.D., Drew University, Professor Emeritus of World Christianity
- W. J. A. Power, Ph.D., University of Toronto, W. J. A. Power Professor Emeritus of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation
- Marjorie Procter-Smith, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, Le Van Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship
- Charles M. Wood, Ph.D., Yale University, Lehman Professor Emeritus of Christian Doctrine
- Albert C. Outler, Ph.D., Yale University, Professor of Theology Emeritus
Present and former Bishops-in-Residence
- D. Max Whitfield, current Bishop-in-Residence and Director, Center for Religious Leadership
- William Kenneth Pope
- John Wesley Hardt
- David J. Lawson
- William B. Oden
- William McFerrin Stowe
References
External links
- Official website