With the start of the Fall 2017 semester, Claremont School of Theology reached its highest-ever enrollment in the School's history, welcoming 425 new and returning students, which surpassed the previous record of 418. The Fall class of 109 students is the second largest incoming class, and the most diverse class, in the School's history.
Claremont School of Theology is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment.
"I'm so proud of the campus-wide effort to meet with, cultivate, and assist potential students," said Murad Dibbini, Senior Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services. "Our team out-paced all of its goals, which is always good news, but especially gratifying at this time in the School's history."
"Once again, these numbers demonstrate that CST's presence is vibrant and vital to creating a difference for the world we live in," said Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, CST President. "Our students understand that CST's way of approaching theological education is unique, edgy, and devoted to true understanding among all denominations and faiths. The world needs our graduates now more than ever."
Here are CST's numbers in detail:
- 67 students identify as African American, 16 percent of the student body, the highest number in our history and a 168 percent increase over the last three years
- 149 Master of Divinity students, including Bayan Islamic Chaplaincy program students; an 80+ percent increase over three years
- More than 200 master's degree students (M.Div., M.A., M.T.S.); a 43 percent increase over the last three years
- 79 Doctor of Ministry students; a 119 percent increase over the last three years
- 12 percent identify as Asian
- 5 percent identify as Hispanic or Latino
- 4 percent identify as Pacific Islander
- 15 percent are international students
- Our youngest student is 20 years old; our eldest is 87 years old
- 45 students identify as Muslim, five as Buddhist, four as Jewish, and one as Hindu
- Denominational Sampling:
- United Methodist Church 95 students (22 percent)
- Disciples of Christ 57 students (13 percent)
- Presbyterian Church 23 students (5 percent)
- Korean Methodist Church 20 students (5 percent)
- Episcopal Church 19 students (4 percent)
- Seventh Day Adventist 15 students (4 percent)
- African Methodist Episcopal (AME) 10 students (2 percent)
- Coptic Orthodox Church 4 students (1 percent)
Claremont School of Theology website, Claremont, CA
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The 13 United Methodist seminaries help students to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. The fund enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
