Course of Study School of Ohio

Contact: Dr. David Whitford or Phyllis Nesselroad
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Course of Study School of Ohio (COSSO)
Course of Study (COS) is prescribed by the United Methodist Church for the education of persons serving as Local Pastors. The entire Course of Study begins with license school and continues with the 5-year Basic Course of Study and the Advanced Course of Study. United offers the 5-year Basic Course of Study, as a hybrid curriculum, as well as the Advanced Course of Study.

In order to maintain licensure, local pastors must be enrolled in the COS. Part-time local pastors must complete the COS within 12 years (2 courses per year); full-time local pastors within eight years (4 courses per year).

Established by the Division of Ordained Ministry of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Church, the Ohio regional programs are supported by United Theological Seminary and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. For more information about this program, visit www.courseofstudyschoolofohio.com.  See the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website for courses required for the Five Year Basic Course of Study.

All COSSO at United courses are transferable to other UMCOS programs.

Benefits to Choosing United for COS:

1. Hybrid COS School
   The hybrid format means that one-half of each course is delivered online and you spend only one weekend on campus. You control the pace of your learning as you complete courses.

2. No Pre-Work
   Online modules eliminate the need for pre-class assignments. In the hybrid model, assignments follow instruction.

3. User Friendly
   Online modules allows course content to be delivered in flexible segments. If you don’t understand something in a lecture, you can repeat it a second or third time. If you are a “morning person,” you can “attend” the online sessions first thing in the morning. The lectures and online learning are still there for night-owls!

4. Lower Cost
   Because you travel to campus only once per course, you save on housing costs, gas, and commuting time.

Registration Fee: $30 per course
NON-REFUNDABLE
Must accompany registration form

Tuition: $260 per course (contact your Local Pastor Registrar for information on scholarship support)

Technology Fee: $50 per course

For your one-night stay, United has negotiated special rates at a number of local hotels. See the Visitor Accommodations page for details.

Accommodations

Registration

registration form

Courses Lists

Click the link below to view the Course List chart.

2010

course list

2011

course list

2012

course list

Contact: Dr. David Whitford, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Admissions: Rev. Thomas Miller, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

United Methodist local pastors who have completed the Course of Study may meet the educational requirements for conference membership and elders orders by taking an additional 32 semester hours of graduate theological studies. At United, students who wish to complete the Advanced Course of Study apply for the Certificate of Theological Studies. When you complete the 32 hours required for the Advanced Course of Study, you will not only receive certification of completion from Nashville, but you will graduate from United with a graduate-level certificate and you are invited to participate fully in our commencement excercises.

When applying to United, students should also ensure that they are authorized by their Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. The standards for admission to United are the same as for masters degrees.

Coursework must be planned in consultation with a faculty advisor. United has already ensured that the basic requirements for the Certificate of Theological Studies is in conformity with the Guidelines for Advanced Course of Study published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, but some conferences require small changes in this program. Those changes should be discussed with your faculty advisor.