Move fully into the life of service to which God has called you. Whether your vocation is as pastor, educator, musician, youth leader, scholar, or committed layperson, the faculty and staff of Perkins will guide you to gather the resources—spiritual, intellectual and financial—to answer your special calling.
Every time I step on the campus, I feel like I’m becoming a better person and learning to become a better servant.
– Stephanie Bohan, current M.A.M. student and Executive Director of The Agape Clinic in Dallas.
I got in and received a scholarship, so I felt God made a really clear path for me. The faculty is amazing. Just being able to study with people whose names you hear regularly around the United Methodist Church – that’s wonderful.
– David Kim (M.Div. ’21), Houston-Galveston Hybrid Program Student
When you ask God for a sign, you really need to be prepared for what you’re going to get, because it could potentially be pretty extreme.
– Jennifer Kilpatrick (M.Div. ’21), recipient of Charles Stokes Scholarship
I have been and will be continuously blessed by relationships cultivated through Perkins. Classmates, professors and administrators whose mere presence encourage me to be a better man and minister, to keep loving, learning and fighting for justice, and to stay grounded in prayer.
– Christian Watkins (M. Div. '19)
For every class project, for every paper I write, I try to focus on the lens of Hispanic community and ministries.
– Rosedanny Ortiz (M.Div. ’21)
A dedicated team is making Perkins affordable for incoming students. “Currently, 100 percent of our master’s degree students with demonstrated need are receiving financial aid of some kind.” - Margot Perez-Greene, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management.
Are you ready to take the next step in your graduate theological education? Join us at our next Inside Perkins event on Friday, March 26. You'll discover more about life as a Perkins student, how you can visit campus, information on financial aid and more!
The Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning – formerly the Perkins Theological School for the Laity – takes place March 26-28. With the theme “Boundless Learning, Bountiful Living,” the program offers multiple course options and is open to laity as well as clergy.
Average annual award granted to full-time, degree-seeking students
Dean Craig Hill shares his vision for the SMU Perkins School of Theology as it enters its second century.
Perkins offers a range of degree programs, including our hybrid Houston-Galveston Extension Program, allowing you to create an academic path best suited to your unique call to ministry and service. Many of these programs are structured so as to allow a concentration in a particular area of interest.
63% United Methodists with more than 20 other denominations represented
Student body of more than 300 students
Located in Dallas, Texas, with a hybrid extension program in Houston-Galveston
Approximately 54% female, 46% male students
42% of students represent minority ethnic groups
Alumni/ae network across the globe, from Australia to Zimbabwe
Our groundbreaking Intern Program allows students to transform classroom knowledge into actual practical experience before graduation.
We believe cross-cultural immersion experiences best teach students to build intercultural relationships, resolve cultural conflicts and guide intercultural ventures.
The combination of courses taught by renowned scholars with a diverse list of degree programs best prepares students for a wide variety of roles in ministry.