Contact: cos@united.edu

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 Course of Study and the Advanced Course of Study. United offers the 5-year 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 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.

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COS Application & 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 Deadlines

Winter 2014 Nov 17, 2013
Spring 2014 Jan 21, 2014
Summer 2014 April 20, 2014
Fall 2014 July 19, 2014

Winter 2015 Dec 16, 2014
Spring 2015 Feb 20, 2015
Summer 2015 May 19, 2015
Fall 2015 TBD

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Course Lists

Booklists and Syllabi

Booklists and Syllabi are made available to the student 30 days prior to the start of class.

COS Fees

COS Fees & Tuition may now be paid online from our Tuition, Fees and Payment page.

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

The Workshop and Coach are optional and not always available.
Writing Workshop Fee: $50 per course
Writing Coach Fee: $50 per course

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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.

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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 pfrost@gbhem.org

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Writing Assistance

Has it been a while since you’ve had to write a paper? Want to brush up your writing skills? Having trouble just getting started? We can help!

Writing Workshops
Offered before the on-campus session, first Friday of each term only, a writing coach will offer a half-hour session to help you get started before the course term. Clear communication of your thoughts in writing, whether in an online forum or even on “virtual” paper is a must to succeed in the hybrid COS program.

Simply select “Option 1” on the registration form, and add the appropriate amount to your registration fee(s).

Writing Coach
Available throughout an entire course term

If you feel you need ongoing assistance, or the one-time workshop just isn’t enough, Dr. Bellini is also available as a personal writing coach. During the course of your class term, he can suggest ways to improve your writing, help firm up your footnote references and help organize your thoughts on any writing assignments. All coaching will be done online via e-mail and/or by telephone if desired.

Cost is $50.00 for the course term. Simply select “Option 2” on the registration form, and add the appropriate amount to your registration fee(s).