Course of Study
Course of Study School of Ohio Extension School
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. Advanced Course of Study is available to local pastors who have completed the five-year basic COS; Advanced COS is comprised of 32 credit hours of graduate-level credit.
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, full-time local pastors within eight years.
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 Course of Study:
- Hybrid COS School
Started in 2009, United’s COS was the first in the country offered in a hybrid format. 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. - User Friendly
Online learning modules allows course content to be delivered in flexible segments. If you want to revisit a section from 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! - Lower Cost
Because you travel to campus only once per course, you save on housing costs, gas and commuting time.
Course of Study 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 via the COS Application. 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 [email protected] and request them to be sent to you.
Registration Periods
Now registering for 2023
Winter 2023 – Jan 6-7, 2023
Spring 2023 – Mar 10-11, 2023
Summer 2023 – Jun 9-10, 2023
Fall 2023 – Oct 6-7, 2023
Course Offerings
Booklists and Syllabi
Booklists and Syllabi are made available to the student 30 days prior to the start of class.
Tuition and Fees
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. United’s COS office does not provide transcripts. Requests for official COS transcripts should be made to [email protected]
