Course of Study
Overview
The Course of Study Program at Wesley Theological Seminary is a year-round experiential and classroom learning process for licensed Local Pastors. The five-year program meets in the summer and consists of two terms of two weeks each, with two classes taken per term. Each course requires pre-work to include reading and writing a pre-course assignment, submitted in advance of the summer session via Blackboard, and classroom attendance. Students should try to take courses in sequence from Year 1 to Year 5. Course instructors include both full-time and adjunct faculty of Wesley Theological Seminary as well as clergy from the surrounding area. Grades are mailed out to students, conferences and the General Board for Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville mid - late September following the summer intensive program.
The Course of Study School takes place each year beginning the Monday after the 4th of July and runs the following four weeks. Wesley Theological Seminary is the regional Course of Study school for the North East Jurisdiction (NEJ) of the United Methodist Church.
Study guides and book lists are available by clicking http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/academicprograms/courseofstudy/courseinformation.aspx.
Questions or problems please e-mail Sara Sheppard.
** NEW Paper policy: pre-course papers are due by June 1 for all courses 2nd year - 5th year via Blackboard. First year courses should turn in pre-course work on the first day of class. Papers turned in on the first day of class for all other years through the last day of class will receive a reduction in grade. No papers will be accepted after the last day of class. No exceptions. This new policy will allow us to have grades turned in by the faculty faster and we will be able to, in turn, get grades to your conferences in a more timely manner so you can be reimbursed for your out-of-pocket costs.
Enrollment
The Course of Study is required by the United Methodist Church for candidates for the ministry who are following the local pastor route. Students following the local pastor route shall have been certified as candidates for ordained ministry, completed the requirements for license local pastor, and received the endorsement of the annual conference Board of Ordained Ministry prior to enrollment in the Course of Study. In all but exceptional cases, students are expected to be under appointment to a congregation with supervision by the district superintendent and a pastoral mentor. The full process leading to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church is specifically set forth in The Book of Discipline (2008, Para. 315),which should be read carefully and discussed with a member of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry or a District Superintendent.
Weekend COS @ Wesley is offered to assist part-time local pastors who find it difficult to attend for two weeks in the summer to fulfill their educational requirements. Courses are held from 1 p.m. Friday - 1 p.m. Saturday allowing students to return to their congregations for Sunday morning services and consist of two weekend sessions held one month apart. Weekend grades will be mailed as soon as all grades have been received and recorded.
DATES FOR SUMMER INTENSIVE COURSE OF STUDY FOR 2012
Term 1: Tuesday July 10, 2012 - Thursday July 19, 2012. Students should plan on arriving Monday morning July 9.
Term 2: Tuesday July 24, 2012 - Thursday August 2, 2012. Studetns should plan on arriving Monday morning July 23.
Each two-week term will run for 8 consectutive weekdays. Registration and orientation for new students will take place the Monday before the term begins.
Graduation will be held Thursday August 2, 2012 at 7pm at Metropolitan Memorial UMC in Washington, D.C. with a reception following.
Registration deadline is April 1, 2012. New local pastors just completing licensing school should contact Sara Sheppard before enrolling.
DATES FOR WEEKEND COURSE OF STUDY
Weekend Course of Study classes will take place on the Wesley campus.
In case of inclement weather, please call the Seminary's main number 202-885-8600 and press 1 for a recording. If the seminary is closed, we will update the recording. We will also contact local radio and television stations and update the website with that information.
Weekend Course of Study 2012
Winter Term: January 20-21, 2012 & February 10-11, 2012:
Registration is closed.
CS313 | CS412 | CS513
Spring Term: March 9-10, 2012 & April 13-14, 2012:
Registration is closed
CS113 | CS214 | CS312
Summer Term: August 17-18, 2012 & September 14-15, 2012
Registration deadline June 25, 2012. Registration available here
CS413 | CS511 |CS112
Fall Term: October 19-20, 2012 & November 9-10, 2012
Registration deadline August 16, 2012. Registration available in July 2012
CS213 | CS314 | CS411
2013 Weekend Schedule
Winter Term: January 18-19, 2013 & February 15-16, 2013
Registration deadline December 14, 2012. Registration available in September 2012
CS512 | CS114 | CS212
Spring Term: March 15-16. 2013 & April 12-13, 2013
Registration deadline January 11, 2013 Registration available in December 2012
CS311 | CS414 | CS514
Summer Term: August 16 - 17, 2013 & September 20-21, 2013
Registration deadline June 23, 2013. Registration available in March 2013
CS111 | CS211 | CS313
Fall Term: October 18-19, 2013 & November 22-23, 2013
Registration deadline August 10 2013. Registration available in July 2013
CS213 | CS314 | CS411