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DALLAS (SMU) – Perkins School of Theology and Cox School of Business announce the creation of cooperative, sequenced degree programs between the two ÃÛÌÒ½´Methodist University graduate schools. The programs, designed for students interested in either careers in ministry with a strong business focus or for students interested in a business career with a strong theological focus, include two sequences:  the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or the Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) and the M.B.A.   The programs will begin with the 2020-21 academic year. 

Cox Dean Matthew B. Myers (left) and Perkins Dean Craig C. Hill (right), pictured at the Feb. 26 signing of the new partnership between the two schools.

Tuition for the Cox M.B.A. program will be significantly discounted, although University and Cox fees will still apply.

Students pursuing the sequenced degrees would first complete the Perkins two-year M.A.M. or three-year M.Div. degree, followed by either the standard two-year or the full-time one-year Cox M.B.A. degree.

The sequencing of M.Div./M.A.M. and M.B.A. provides a coherent course of study that combines training in theological studies, administration, and leadership.

Both Perkins Dean Craig C. Hill and Cox Dean Matthew Myers emphasize the potential for recruitment of students for the sequenced programs, which signal that theology takes seriously the leadership and business dimensions of ministry and that business takes seriously the theological and spiritual dimensions of business.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for a select group of students who anticipate that they will need the skills taught in the Cox M.B.A,” said Perkins Dean Craig C. Hill. “Moreover, this agreement is a tangible demonstration of the exceptional degree of cooperation that exists amongst the schools of S.M.U.  We look forward to developing more joint-degree programs in the future, taking further advantage of our location in a great research university.”

“The Cox School is pleased to partner with the Perkins School in creating an important business learning opportunity that has the potential to broaden career options for graduate students pursuing careers in ministry or theology,” said Matthew B. Myers, dean of the Cox School of Business. “With the addition of these offerings, Cox now has cross-campus, interdisciplinary degree partnerships with five of SMU’s current degree-granting schools: Dedman School of Law, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education, and now Perkins School of Theology. These partnerships truly help ÃÛÌÒ½´shape today’s students into tomorrow’s world-changers.”

Cohorts for the Cox full-time one-year M.B.A. start in May of each year, while students enrolled in the standard M.B.A. program may begin classes at any time. Requirements for the Perkins M.Div. or M.A.M. degrees must be completed prior to enrollment in Cox and students anticipating a May graduation may begin with a Cox cohort simultaneous with their final exams at Perkins.

For information about the admission processes of Perkins School of Theology, visit /Perkins/Admission and for Cox School of Business, visit smu.edu/cox.  M.Div. and M.A.M. questions should be addressed to Perkins School of Theology at 214-768-2293 and PerkinsEnrollment@smu.edu.  M.B.A. questions should be addressed to the Cox full-time M.B.A. Program at mbainfo@cox.smu.edu, phone 214-768-1214 or 1-800-472-3622.