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UMC Course of Study

Course of Study Students

Course offerings and registration information for ECE and COS for Spring and Summer 2022 will be posted here on October 1, 2021.

Garrett will not offer ECE or COS courses in Fall 2021.

 

Application, Tuition and Fees, and Technology Requirements

Application, Tuition, and Fee Information

Admission Requirements for Course of Study

In order to attend the Course of Study School, you must:

  • Be licensed as a local pastor in the United Methodist Church (students from other denominations or programs may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the Course of Study director in consultation with your presiding elder or other denominational supervisor. If you are attending our school for the first time a copy of your License to Preach must accompany your application);

  • Be endorsed by your annual conference board of ordained ministry's registrar for local pastors;

  • Receive permission from your district superintendent and local pastor registrar. 

Requirements for a Complete Application

  1. Registration Fee
  2. District Superintendent Approval and Local Pastor Registrar Approval to Attend Course of Study School (Download Approval Form) 
  3. Copy of your certification of completion of licensing school or your current License for Pastoral Ministry (only if this is your first application to Course of Study at Garrett-Evangelical)
  4. Signed Financial Responsibility Form (use same approval form as in #2 above)
  5. Review COS Student Handbook

To apply to the English or Spanish Course of Study program click on the appropriate button below to access the online registration form. Registration for Summer 2021 sessions will be open March 1 – April 30, 2021.

Course of Study Application          Solicitud de Admisión para Curso de Estudio

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees

  • $25 per course registration fee
  • $210 tuition fee per course ($280 tuition fee per course for Non-Local Pastors)
  • $45 student activity fee
  • The cost of books will be listed on your course syllabi

Many annual conference Boards of Ordained Ministry help students with costs for Course of Study School. Contact your conference BOM directly to determine your annual conference policy.

You can use the Worksheet of Anticipated Expenses to help estimate your costs. (Descargar Hoja de Trabajo de Gastos Anticipados: Escuela del Curso de Estudio 2021)

Technology Requirements

Computer/Tablet/Phone

We recommend that you use a PC running Windows 10 or MAC running OS 10.14 (Mojave) or newer. If you do not have a computer, it is possible (but less than ideal) to use a tablet or phone (Android or iOS). You must be able to wirelessly connect to secure networks (using WPA2-Enterprise). Note: Chromebooks cannot connect to our network.

You will need to install the following software on your device:

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and Microsoft Outlook (email). This software is provided free of charge to students with a Garrett email address.
  • Adobe Reader
  • We strongly recommend that you use antivirus software and keep it up-to-date.

High Speed Internet Connection

In order to be able to stream video portions of your class, you need access to a high-speed internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 8 Mbps or the ability to stream video on your tablet/phone. We recommend using Google Chrome to connect to the internet.

Headphones with a Microphone

You will be participating in video meetings for portions of your classes. We recommend that you use headphones with a built-in microphone during these meetings. If you have a laptop computer or tablet, you could use the built-in speakers and microphone, but the sound quality is poor and other people in the meeting may not be able to hear you well. If you have a desktop computer, you probably do not have a microphone or speakers.

Webcam

You will need a webcam to participate in the video portions of your courses. Most laptops have a built-in camera, but desktops often do not.

Basic Computer Skills

At a minimum, students should be able to perform these basic computer literacy skills:

  • Use a keyboard and mouse
  • Select, copy, and paste text
  • Send and receive email (cc, Reply, Reply All, etc.)
  • Use a web browser (Google Chrome is preferred)
  • Save and retrieve files in different formats (.docx, .pdf, .pptx., etc.)
  • Use a word processor (change fonts, paginate, spell check, footnote, cite sources,
  • format paragraphs—including block quotes, margins, line spacing, etc.)
  • Attach and upload files

Moodle

Garrett COS courses use Moodle for posting assignments, turning in homework, and other course-related activities. You can access Moodle from courses.garrett.edu. You can also install the Moodle app on your Android or iOS device. If you are unfamiliar with Moodle, you can learn about many of its features in this video. See this playlist for more information on using Moodle.

Zoom

Zoom is the video conferencing software currently supported by Garrett. You will use Zoom when your class meets, when you need to get together virtually with classmates, and for other COS-related gatherings.

Course Information

Portuguese and Hmong Courses

Over the last few months GBHEM has led a process to consider how best to provide access to theological education and formation to the leaders of the UMC’s Portuguese and Hmong language ministries. This process included extensive conversations with local pastors, leadership in constituent annual conferences, and Course of Study providers. GBHEM has discerned through the extensive input from constituents that direct administration of the Hmong and Portuguese language Licensing School and Course of Study would better serve the related faculty, staff, and student participants. Administration of these programs through GBHEM will provide increased financial sustainability, a broader student base, and a more flexible format. The Course of Study courses will be offered online during the pandemic, and then in hybrid format once in person learning is safe to resume. GBHEM is excited for the opportunity to work even more closely with Hmong and Portuguese language pastoral leaders and to support this work.

GBHEM is currently assessing the course needs for the Hmong and Portuguese language Course of Study students and will post course schedules shortly. GBHEM will continue to partner with annual conferences, local pastors, seminaries and Boards of Ordained Ministries to offer contextualized theological education and formation.

Curriculum

The Course of Study School prepares pastoral leaders for local church ministry through a 5-year, 20-course curriculum established by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Normally courses are to be taken in the sequence prescribed by the curriculum. At a minimum, students are expected to take first year courses in the first year of study and fifth year courses in the final year of study. 

Faculty

Two Course of Study Faculty Members TeachingOur faculty is made up of professors from Garrett-Evangelical and other theological seminaries, as well as program staff from boards and agencies and seasoned pastors who are excellent instructors.