Course of Study creates a dynamic path to ministry for United Methodist lay leaders—offered in both English and Spanish, fully online.
Garrett is thrilled to host the Great Lakes Course of Study in partnership with Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO), expanding the support and resources we offer United Methodist students in the North Central Jurisdiction who seek to become local licensed pastors. Within the United Methodist Church, ordination as an elder or deacon requires master’s-level education and a bachelor’s degree. The denomination’s Course of Study (COS) offers a non-degree licensure program of 20 courses, hosted in conjunction with the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Beginning in 2027, the Course of Study is transitioning to a 16-course curriculum to respond to current education needs for local pastors. This empowers members of an annual conference to receive sacramental authority and serve churches within the United Methodist Church.
Who can complete Course of Study?
Course of Study can be completed by anyone who has successfully completed a high school diploma or GED, has been a United Methodist member for at least one year, and has been baptized. Students must have already received a recommendation from their pastor, staff parish committee, and district superintendent. If you have not yet received these provisional approvals, begin by speaking with your pastor to learn more!
The United Methodist Church Course of Study (COS) is a General Board of Higher Education and Ministry-Division of Ordained Ministry prescribed educational process that:
In order to attend the Course of Study School, you must:
Please note that the cost per course will total $350 plus $45 per calendar year for the student technology fee. Books are not included in these fees.
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.
The seminary expects that students will attend all classes. Each faculty member weighs class attendance and participation differently in determining a grade, depending on the needs and structures of the course. How attendance and participation is weighed will be specified in the syllabus for each course. Students should not miss more than 20% of the class sessions.
Attendance to live online synchronous sessions is mandatory and should meet 5 hours per weekend.
Course of Study Schools will use letter grades A, B, C, D, or F. If, for personal or family reasons, a student has to drop out of a course before completing it, an “Administrative Withdrawal” may be given.
Incomplete grades that are not resolved within 60 days will be recorded as an F. An F or Administrative Withdrawal grade will remain on the transcript even if the course is retaken and passed.
Grade reports will be sent to the Division of Ordained Ministry, the annual conference, and (in the case of the extension schools) the Regional COS Director. The deadline for grades will be 60 days after the completion of class sessions.
Courses with fewer than six students will be cancelled. In the event that a course is cancelled, all students will be notified and directed to an alternative course.
Spring, summer, and fall sessions will be fully online. Courses will be cancelled if we do not have a minimum of 6 students registered. Pre-course readings will be available after the registration deadline for each session and one month before classes start. Students must be registered to access our LMS. All 2026 sessions will use the Canvas LMS.
All students should have completed COS 121 and COS 122 as pre-requisite before taking any other course.
Registration will open on October 6, with registration deadlines varying according to session.
New students must submit registration form, fees, and District Superintendent and/or Local Pastor approval in a timely manner. Students will receive their login information via email once all paperwork is received. They will be officially registered for classes and have access to course-related material via Canvas prior to the course beginning.
| Online Session Dates | Synchronous* (5 hours per weekend) | Asynchronous(5 hours per week) | Courses | Application Opens | Application Closes | Receive Syllabus | Canvas Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring April 17-May 2 (later dates due to Easter) | April 17 – 18 May 1 – 2 | April 20 – 24 April 27 – 30 | 121, 221, 321, 421, 521 | October 6, 2025 | March 2, 2026 | March 20 | April 6 |
| Summer I July 10-25 | July 10 – 11 July 24 – 25 | July 13 – 17 July 20 – 23 | 122, 222, 322, 422, 522 | March 13, 2026 | May 25, 2026 | June 12 | June 29 |
| Summer II August 21-Sept 5 | August 21 – 22 Sept. 4 – 5 | August 24 – 28 Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 | 123, 223, 323, 423, 523 | June 8, 2026 | July 6, 2026 | July 24 | Aug 10 |
| Fall October 9-24 | October 9 – 10 October 23 – 24 | October 12 – 16 October 19 – 22 | 124, 224, 324, 424, 524 | July 20, 2026 | Aug. 24, 2026 | Sept. 11 | Sept. 28 |
***The application process includes TWO parts: 1) apply for Course of Study, including submitting all documents needed, and only then will you be approved to 2) register for courses.***
We recommend that you use a PC running Windows 11 or MAC running OS 14.7.6 (Sonoma) 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:
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.
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.
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.
At a minimum, students should be able to perform these basic computer literacy skills:
All courses will be conducted in Canvas.
Teams is the video conferencing software currently supported by Garrett. You will use Teams when your class meets, when you need to get together virtually with classmates, and for other COS-related gatherings.
Garrett Seminary and the Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO) have formed a new connectional partnership called the Great Lakes Course of Study (GLCOS). This collaboration will enable greater support, enrollment, and accessibility for United Methodist Course of Study students.
All COS programs are hosted on behalf of the United Methodist Global Board for Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM.) As a result, grades and transcripts are held by GBHEM and the shift to GLCOS will not interrupt your progress.
All classes are online, hosted as two-week intensives. Classes requires 10 hours of synchronous instruction and 10 hours of asynchronous work each week.
For Fall 2026, we will offer all courses ending in “4:” COS 124, 224, 324, 424, 524. Click here to view the 2027 course calendar.
Yes, just as you would have to reapply to join a different COS school. Think of it like transferring to another school, but with the guarantee that all your credits will transfer. So, yes, you will have to complete a new application, but you will for sure start where you left off with course credits/completion.
Use this guide to complete the 2 Step Application Process. Each year, you will need to reapply once to confirm the recommendation from your District Superintendent and Local Pastor Registrar. You will also need to complete a financial responsibility form.
For more information about the Great Lakes Course of Study program, please read about the launch, watch The Great Lakes Course of Study virtual information session recording or email cos@garrett.edu.
