Frequently Asked Questions - Ministerial & Religious Studies (M&RS)
How long will it take to complete the ministerial program?
The ministerial program requires a completion of 90 credit hours, about three years full-time. These courses may also be engaged on a part-time basis. Students may have up to seven years to complete their program.
Must I be a full-time student?
No. These programs are designed so that you can attend full- or part-time.
Is there a student association for ministerial students?
Yes, the Unity Ministers Student Association (UMSA) supports and represents all UWSI ministerial students. More information on UMSA is available at unitymsa.org.
I don't want to enter the Unity Ministry program. Can I still take any of the M&RS courses?
Yes, you can apply for permission to audit an M&Rs course. Please send a Request to Audit Form, found under For Students, and Tuition, Fees, Scholarships, and More. If granted permission, the student will pay $98 per credit hour to audit the course. For more information about auditing courses, please see Procedure for Auditing a Course on the Tuition, Fees, Scholarships, and More page.
Do I need a bachelor's degree to enroll in the ministerial program?
You must have a high school dipoloma or GED to apply for the ministerial program.
I am interested in becoming an ordained Unity minister; should I do anything else besides enroll in UWSI and register in M&RS courses?
Students may enroll in UWSI and begin taking courses at any time. Those interested in ordination should review the information found on UWM's "Become a Minister" webpage and the contact UWM's Credentialing Coordinator, Rev. Lynn O'Dell (lodell@unity.org).
Why won't the courses I'm interested in taking in the M&RS program be offered until next year?
The M&RS courses contain significant live components that require the courses to be taken only when scheduled. To ensure adequate attendance in M&RS, courses will be offered only once per year; thus supporting the progression of full-time learners through their course schedule.
