Residencies
Nurturing Community and Formation through Residencies
Residencies are key learning experiences at UDTS that bring students together to sit in on-site classes together for the purposes of building formative practices and relationships and practicing ministry skills. Residency durations and locations vary by degree program and course offerings. Most residencies are designed as either one or two weeks of consecutive study in-person, but some residency experiences are once-weekly over fall or spring terms. Students in the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship programs have the option to study fully in-person with the majority of coursework offered in the once-weekly model each term.
Master of Divinity Residency Requirements for Online Students
Students in the MDIV program are required to complete the following courses in residence, typically held over two weeks in August each year, in Dubuque, Iowa:
- IN 520: God's Redemptive Mission (usually completed in the first August of study)
- IN 782: Gospel in Context
- MN 531: Discipleship and Teaching I
- MN 579: Caregiving II
- MN 640: Proclaiming the Word
- FE 601: Pastoral Leadership
Students typically complete these classes in three residencies. They are specially designed and scheduled to create three complete and purposeful residency experiences.
Master of Divinity Option to Study Fully in Residence
Students in the MDIV program have the option of studying fully in residence for the duration of their degree program. United Methodist students must study in residence. All coursework required for the degree is offered in residence in Dubuque, Iowa.
Residential courses are offered in a two consecutive week format in August terms and in once-weekly format on Mondays in Fall and Spring terms. Additional elective coursework can be taken online or in residence.
Master of Arts in Reformed Theology Residency Requirements
Students in the MA in Reformed Theology are required to completed the following course in residence, typically held over one week in August each year, in Dubuque, Iowa:
- IN 510: Introduction to the Reformed Tradition (offered in a one week residency format)
Occasional residencies in other locations are optionally available throughout the MA in Reformed Theology degree program. Students are invited to meet in Hilton Head, South Carolina for multi-day study retreats.
Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship Residency Requirements
Students in the MA in Mission and Discipleship are required to complete the following courses in residence, typically held in August each year, in Dubuque, Iowa:
- IN 520: God's Redemptive Mission (usually completed in the first August of study)
- IN 782: Gospel in Context (usually completed in the second August of study)
- other courses may be taken in August residencies if desired
Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship Option to Study Fully in Residence
Students in the MA in Mission and Discipleship have the option of studying fully in residence for the duration of their degree program. All coursework required for the degree is offered in residence in Dubuque, Iowa.
Residential courses are offered in a two consecutive week format in August terms and in once-weekly format on Mondays in Fall and Spring terms. Additional elective coursework can be taken online or in residence.
Coursework Offered Only in Residence
Some courses at UDTS are only offered in residence and are not available fully online. The following courses are offered in residency only:
- IN 510: Introduction to the Reformed Tradition
- IN 520: God's Redemptive Mission
- IN 782: Gospel in Context
- MN 531: Discipleship and Teaching I
- MN 579: Caregiving II
- MN 640: Proclaiming the Word
- FE 601: Pastoral Leadership
Doctor of Ministry Residency Requirements
Doctor of Ministry students are required to attend three residencies, typically offered over one week in May, in Dubuque, Iowa. Occasionally, Doctor of Ministry cohorts will meet in other locations, coordinated by the cohort faculty member(s).
Residencies Outside of Dubuque, Iowa
Students are offered short-term study opportunities for specific courses in locations such as Ireland; the Holy Lands; Ghost Ranch, New Mexico; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and more. Faculty will specify travel and residency requirements for courses in published course descriptions in advance of a course term.