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What is the Course of Study?What is the Course of Study? The Course of Study is a group of programs designed by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church to meet the ministry education needs of United Methodists who feel called to pastoral ministry, yet do not feel called or are not able to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. COS programs include: Licensing School, the Five-Year Basic Course of Study, Advanced Course of Study, and Correspondence Studies.
Why are there so many different types of programs? Different persons in different ministry settings have different educational needs. Licensing school provides basic training for pastoral ministry, providing a foundation for serving and learning in pastoral ministry. The Basic COS educates full-time and part-time local pastors toward faithful, effective pastoral ministry in local congregations. Advanced COS teaches additional skills and prepares local pastors to serve as Elders in Full Connection.
What is the Mississippi Course of Study School? The Mississippi Course of Study School (MSCOS) is an extension program of the Course of Study at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. It is administered by the Center for Ministry at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and is accredited by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Am I eligible to attend MSCOS? MSCOS is dedicated to meeting the specific educational needs of part-time local pastors in the United Methodist Church who are currently under appointment. You must have completed the Candidacy Process and Licensing School in order to participate in MSCOS.
Full-time local pastors have different educational needs than part-time local pastors and are therefore required to pursue their Course of Study education at a regional Course of Study school such as that located at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta. In rare cases, full-time local pastors and part-time local pastors who are not under appointment may participate in MSCOS. Please contact your district superintendent or your annual conference's board of ordained ministry for more information.
MSCOS is the primary COS program for part-time local pastors in the Mississippi and Louisiana Annual Conferences. However, part-time local pastors from any annual conference are welcome at MSCOS.
Where are classes held? All MSCOS classes are held on the campus of Millsaps College, a four-year, United Methodist-related college in Jackson, Mississippi.
How many courses can I take each year? Part-time local pastors are required to take a minimum to two courses and are allowed to take a maximum of four courses per appointment year (July through June). One must receive approval from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) to take more than four courses per appointment year.
How often are MSCOS courses offered? MSCOS offers four sessions per year: a winter session in January, a spring session in April, a summer session in July, and a fall session in October. The curriculum is designed so that one may complete it in as little as five years. To see a schedule of when different COS courses are offered, click here.
Each session meets over the course of two weekends. To see a typical weekend schedule, click here.
How much does it cost?
Registration Fee: $75.00 ($65.00 if registering no later than six weeks before class begins)
Tution Fee: $225.00
Many annual conferences cover either some or all of the tuition for their students. Some conferences also help cover registration fees. Each annual conference has its own policies regarding its level of support for COS students. Contact your district superintendent or annual conference's local pastor registrar for more information.
In addition to any registration and tuition costs not covered by your annual conference, you are responsible for the cost of your assigned books, travel, and meals. Lodging (double occupancy) is covered under your registration fee. Private rooms are available for an additional $100.00. For more information about lodging, click here. For a list of area restaurants, click here.
Where do I get textbooks? Contact the Jackson, Mississippi Cokesbury store at 601-978-3827 or (877)-300-7608.
What happens if I sign up for a course and am unable to attend? In cases of illness or emergency, refunds or credit for registration fees may be issued at the discretion of the director of MSCOS. Contact Betty Wheat at the Center for Ministry as soon as possible. Unless you officially cancel your registration before class begins, you and/or your annual conference will be charged registration and tuition. You will also receive a failing grade for the course.
What if I am late or miss part of my class? Twenty hours of class time with the instructor is required in order to complete a course. A student may miss up to four hours of class time due to illness or emergency and still receive credit at the discretion of the instructor and/or the director of MSCOS. Absences of over four hours during a weekend will result in the student needing to retake the course.
How do I register? Click here to download a course registration form. Fill out the form and send it to your district superintendent and annual conference local pastor registrar. Many district superintendents and registrars are willing to forward your registration form to MSCOS once they have signed it. Contact your district superintendent or the local pastor registrar of your annual conference for more information.
Who is my annual conference's local pastor registrar? Contact your district superintendent. For contact information about the registrar of the Mississippi Annual Conference, Chris Young, click here. For information about the registrar for the Louisiana Annual Conference, John Edd Harper, click here.
To read a letter from Chris Young and Jim Beam-Ingram about registering for MSCOS registration, click here.
page design by Alpha Project
Rev. Jim Beam-Ingram, Director
1701 North State Street, P. O. Box 150041, Jackson, MS 39210
(phone) 601.974.1488 (email)cos@centerforministry.com
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