COS Study Information

The Course of Study Program is a year-round experiential and classroom learning process for licensed Local Pastors of the United Methodist Church required by the 2012 Book of Discipline (¶ 602, 315) . The five year program meets in the summer and consists of two terms of two weeks each, with two classes taken per term. Course instructors include both full-time and adjunct faculty of Wesley Theological Seminary as well as clergy from around the surrounding area. Before attending the Course of Study, students will have at a minimum a high school diploma and have completed the license to preach school offered by their annual conference. Most students are also actively engaged in a congregational ministry setting. Weekend Course of Study is offered for part-time local pastors to assist them in completing the education requirements. Additional information about the program can be found on the website of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The registration deadline for the summer intensive program of April 1, 2013 has past. Please contact Sara Sheppard if you would like to register for classes this summer. There is still space available in most classes.

Please use a Title Page cover sheet for all papers. Download the 2013 Title Page here.

Wesley now has a virtual bookstore. This is where you will find textbook lists and be able to order your books directly from Amazon. Required textbooks are listed in the syllabi or pre-course assignment posted on the website and on Blackboard

To access Wesley's e-bookstore, click here.
If you would like to order your books from Cokesbury, click here.

Weekend Course of Study registration information and deadlines are located on the Weekend page. Click here.
To assist local pastors and their mentors in planning we have posted a five year projected schedule of classes. Click here.

Paper policy: Pre-course papers are due by June 1 for courses in years 2 - 5. Please post your paper to Blackboard & send a second copy to the professor by the method outlined on the Blackboard site for your course. This is new for 2013. Please also bring a hard copy with you to school.

First year courses should turn in pre-course work on the first day of class directly to the professor. 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.

Dates for Summer 2013 Wesley Course of Study

Term 1 - Registration and orientation on Monday afternoon July 8, 2013. Classes held Tuesday July 9, 2013 - Thursday July 18, 2013.
Term 2 - Registration and orientation on Monday afternoon July 22, 2013. Classes held Tuesday July 23, 2013 - Thursday August 1, 2013

Graduation will be held at Metropolitan Memorial UMC on Wednesday July 31, 2013 at 7pm. A reception will follow at the church.

Before you start:

Register for the courses you are working on.
Obtained all the required signatures – including your DS and the conference registrar.
Enclosed the $35.00 non-refundable registration fee per course and mailed it to: Sara Sheppard, Course of Study, 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016.
Order books and make sure you understand the pre-course assignment, found below by year.

Study guides and other course information for the July Intensive is available below. Click on the year to reveal the drop down box. Questions? Contact Sara Sheppard 202-885-8688.

If you have a question regarding the assignments in the study guides, please contact the professor. You will find links to their e-mail addresses below. Pre-Course assignments are due by June 1 for years 2 - 5. Pre-course assignments for year one should be turned in directly to the professor the first day of class.

Year One

Year One	Term	Time	Print Pre-Course Assignment	Faculty
CS111	2	8:00am	The Pastor as Interpreter of the Bible	Becky Wright
CS112	1	8:00am	Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit	Ellis Larsen
CS113	2	1:30pm	Pastoral Care for Spiritual Formation	Michael Koppel
CS114	1	1:30pm	Pastoral Leadership and Adminsitration	Chip Wright

Year Two

Year Two	Term	Time	Print Pre-course Assignment	Faculty
CS211	2	8:00am	Hebrew Bible 1	Pat MacNicoll
CS212	1	1:30pm	Theological Heritage: Early Church	Charles Harrell
CS213	1	8:00am	Formation for Discipleship	Joe Bush
			Note: The textbook Religious Education in the Small Membership Church is out of print HOWEVER it is available through the Course of Study office. Please print and complete this form and send to Sara Sheppard.
CS214	2	1:30pm	Practice of Preaching	Larry Buxton

Year Three

Year Three	Term	Time	Print Pre-Course Assignment	Faculty
CS311	1	1:30pm	New Testament 1	Mark Schaefer
CS312	2	1:30pm	Theological Heritage: Reformation	David Evans
CS313	2	8:00am	Our Mission: Evangelism	Mark Teasdale
CS314	1	8:00am	Pastoral Care and Counseling	Gina Campbell

Year Four

Year Four	Term	Time	Print Pre-Course Assignment	Faculty
CS411	1	8:00am	Hebrew Bible 2	Becky Wright
CS412	2	8:00am	Wesleyan Movement	Bob Kohler
CS413	2	1:30pm	Worship and Sacraments	Nick Hladek
CS414	1	1:30pm	Personal and Social Ethics	Joe Bush

Year Five

Year Five	Term	Time	Print Pre-Course Assignment	Faculty
CS511	2	1:30pm	New Testament 2	Jamie Coles
CS512	1	8:00am	Contemporary Theology	Jim Noland
CS513	2	8:00am	Our Mission: Transforming Agent	Jim Walker
CS514	1	1:30pm	Theology for the Practice of Ministry Bibliography for CS514	Steve Rettenmayer

Advance COS

Local pastors interested in completing the Advanced Course of Study need to complete a total of 32 semester hours of graduate theological studies or the equivalent as determined by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) in order to qualify for probationary or full conference membership. Advance work enables local pastors to meet the educational requirements for full conference membership and ordination as an elder. This work is done after a local pastor has completed the five year Basic Course of Study School.

A minimum of six semester hours of credit in United Methodist History, Doctrine and Polity are required for this curriculum. These courses are available through correspondence with the GBHEM, a University Senate approved seminary and on-line at Wesley Theological Seminary.

How to enroll in Advanced Course of Study at Wesley Theological Seminary:

Local pastors interested in advance work should complete a seminary application for admission indicating their program as Special Student. Course work must be taken for academic credit. click Apply Now! to begin the process.
Once admitted, students should enroll in classes along with regular MDiv students. Wesley offers summer school class in an intensive format of one or two weeks as well as regular 14 week semesters. Summer course schedules are usually published in February and are available here.

Registration will begins in April of each year. Questions? Contact Sara Sheppard at 202-885-8688.