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 Course of Study and the Advanced Course of Study. United, as an Extension of the Course of Study School of Ohio (COSSO), offers the Course of Study as a hybrid curriculum, with coursework completed both online and on-campus. United also offers the Advanced Course of Study, called Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS).
As an Extension School, United’s Hybrid COS Program will serve only part-time local pastors and will offer 12 courses per year.
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 http://www.cosohio.org/.
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. 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!
3. Lower Cost
Because you travel to campus only once per course, you save on housing costs, gas, and commuting time.
COS Application and Registration
COS Class Registration is now done online through our Student Portal. You will need credentials to login to the portal.
New Students: If you are a new student to United’s Hybrid COS program you must first apply using the “Start COS Application” button. It is found in the upper right hand corner of this page. After applying and being confirmed you will receive a United email account and credentials to our student portal and instructions on how to proceed with registration.
Returning Students: If you are a returning student then you have already applied to the program and your student information is already in our system. If you have not already received your United email account and student portal credentials, contact the COS Coordinator at cos@united.edu and request them to be sent to you.
Registration Periods
Winter 2017 – Registration opens 10/24/2016 and closes 12/6/2016
Spring 2017 – Registration opens 12/7/2017 and closes 2/10/2017
Summer 2017 – Registration opens 2/11/2017 and closes 5/16/2017
Fall 2017 – Registration opens 5/17/2017 and closes 9/6/2017
Course Lists
2018 Course List
Winter 2018
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2018 | ||||||
| 123-Formation & Discipleship | 1/5/2018 | 2/17/2018 | Dan Gildner | Jan. 5-6 2018 | 12/5/2017 | 9/7/2017 |
| 222-Theological Heritage II: Early Church | 1/5/2018 | 2/17/2018 | TBA | Jan. 5-6 2018 | 12/5/2017 | 9/7/2017 |
| 321-Bible III: Gospels | 1/5/2018 | 2/17/2018 | TBA | Jan. 5-6 2018 | 12/5/2017 | 9/7/2017 |
Spring 2018
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2018 | ||||||
| 124-Transformative Leadership | 3/9/2018 | 4/28/2018 | Dan Gildner | Mar. 9-10, 2018 | 2/9/2018 | 12/6/2017 |
| 424-Ethics | 3/9/2018 | 4/28/2018 | Luther Oconer | Mar. 9-10, 2018 | 2/9/2018 | 12/6/2017 |
| 524-Theological Reflection: Practice of Ministry | 3/9/2018 | 4/28/2018 | Justus Hunter | Mar. 9-10, 2018 | 2/9/2018 | 12/6/2017 |
Summer 2018
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2018 | ||||||
| 121-Bible 1: Introduction | 5/4/2018 | 6/16/2018 | June 15-16, 2018 | 4/4/2018 | 2/10/2018 | |
| 322-Theological Heritage III: Medieval-Reformation | 6/15/2018 | 7/28/2018 | June 15-16, 2018 | 5/15/2018 | 2/10/2018 | |
| 521-Bible V: Acts, Epistles and Revelation | 6/15/2018 | 7/28/2018 | June 15-16, 2018 | 5/15/2018 | 2/10/2018 |
Fall 2018
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2018 | ||||||
| 122-Theological Heritage 1: Introduction | 10/5/2018 | 11/17/2018 | Oct. 5-6, 2018 | 9/5/2018 | 5/16/2018 | |
| 224-Administration and Polity | 10/5/2018 | 11/17/2018 | Oct. 5-6, 2018 | 9/5/2018 | 5/16/2018 | |
| 421-Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom Literature | 10/5/2018 | 11/17/2018 | Oct. 5-6, 2018 | 9/5/2018 | 5/16/2018 |
2017 Course List
Winter 2017
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2017 | ||||||
| 122-Theological Heritage I: Introduction | 1/6/2017 | 2/18/2017 | Scott Kisker | Jan. 6-7, 2017 | 12/6/2016 | 10/24/2016 |
| 221-Bible II: Torah & Israel’s History | 1/6/2017 | 2/18/2017 | Tom Dozeman | Jan. 6-7, 2017 | 12/6/2016 | 10/24/2016 |
| 323-Congregational Care | 1/6/2017 | 2/18/2017 | Bridget Weatherspoon | Jan. 6-7, 2017 | 12/6/2016 | 10/24/2016 |
Spring 2017
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2017 | ||||||
| 123-Formation & Discipleship | 3/10/2017 | 4/29/2017 | Dan Gildner | Mar. 10-11, 2017 | 2/10/2017 | 12/7/2016 |
| 422-Theo Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement | 3/10/2017 | 4/29/2017 | Luther Oconer | Mar. 10-11, 2017 | 2/10/2017 | 12/7/2016 |
| 522-Theology in the Contemporary Church | 3/10/2017 | 4/29/2017 | Justus Hunter | Mar. 10-11, 2017 | 2/10/2017 | 12/7/2016 |
Summer 2017
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2017 | ||||||
| 124-Transformative Leadership | 6/16/2017 | 7/29/2017 | June 16-17, 2017 | 5/16/2017 | 2/11/2017 | |
| 223-Worship & Sacraments | 5/5/2017 | 6/17/2017 | June 16-17, 2017 | 4/5/2017 | 2/11/2017 | |
| 324-Preaching | 5/5/2017 | 6/17/2017 | June 16-17, 2017 | 4/5/2017 | 2/11/2017 |
Fall 2017
| Course | Course Begins | Course Ends | Faculty | In-Person, On-Campus Dates | Registration Deadline | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2017 | ||||||
| 121-Bible I: Introduction | 8/25/2017 | 10/7/2017 | Breidenstein | Oct. 6-7, 2017 | 7/25/2017 | 5/17/2017 |
| 423-Mission | 10/6/2017 | 11/18/2017 | Oct. 6-7, 2017 | 9/6/2017 | 5/17/2017 | |
| 523-Evangelism | 10/6/2017 | 11/18/2017 | Oct. 6-7, 2017 | 9/6/2017 | 5/17/2017 |
Booklists and Syllabi
Booklists and Syllabi are made available to the student 30 days prior to the start of class.
Academic Year: 2017
Winter 2017
| COURSE | BOOKLIST | SYLLABI |
|---|---|---|
| 122-Theological Heritage I: Introduction (Kisker) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 221-Bible II: Torah & Israel’s History (Dozeman) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 323-Congregational Care (Weatherspoon) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
Spring 2017
| COURSE | BOOKLIST | SYLLABI |
|---|---|---|
| 123-Formation & Discipleship (Gildner) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 422-Theological Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement (Oconer) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 522-Theology in the Contemporary Church (Hunter) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
Summer 2017
| COURSE | BOOKLIST | SYLLABI |
|---|---|---|
| 124-Transformative Leadership (Gildner) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 223-Worship & Sacraments (Hanover) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 324-Preaching (Risler) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
Fall 2017
| COURSE | BOOKLIST | SYLLABI |
|---|---|---|
| 121-Bible I: Introduction (Breidenstein) | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 423-Mission | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
| 523-Evangelism | UNAVAILABLE | DOWNLOAD |
Registration Fee: $30 per course
NON-REFUNDABLE/NON-TRANSFERABLE
Tuition: $270 per course (contact your Local Pastor Registrar for information on scholarship support)
Technology Fee: $60 per course
COS Housing
For your one-night stay, United has negotiated special rates at a number of local hotels. See the Visitor Accommodations page for details.
Grades and Transcripts
Final grades for each class are due to the COS office no later than 30 days following the end of the class. Grade sheets will be sent to the student, the student’s Conference Local Pastor Registrar, GBHEM, and to MTSO. The COS office does not provide transcripts. Requests for official COS transcripts should be made to cosregistrar@gbhem.org