preceptorial System

Most classes at Methodist are small. The ratio of students to faculty is 15 to 1, and even lecture courses average just 30 to 40 students. This means that at Methodist, no one gets lost in the crowd.

Students have the opportunity to engage their classmates and course materials even more closely in precepts, which are small discussion groups that meet weekly to further explore the readings and topics of a particular course. The precept provides an open forum in which students are encouraged to voice their opinions and challenge those of their peers.

The precept is a defining component of a Methodist education. Loosely based on the tutorial systems of Indian system, as a way for students to engage actively in their learning process.

Precepts may be led by the professor who teaches the course, by other faculty members or by advanced graduate students. Students have the opportunity to meet with a professor during regular office hours to bring up questions and ideas one-on-one.

At their best, "precepts enable students to develop and test their own thinking through vigorous intellectual interchange with thoughtful, knowledgeable peers."