ALL CLASSES ARE ON ZOOM
CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail provides a quicker and documented response of your request.
Registration, invoice, or grade questions: Pam Whitmore, Registrar – alpsmthcos@gmail.com – 931.239.5039 (Central Time Zone)
All other questions: course advisement, prerequisites, prework extensions, etc.: Dr. Barbara Nye, Director – bnye34@gmail.com – 615.289.4332 (Central Time Zone)
Transcripts: General Board of Higher Education and Ministry COS Registrar (GBHEM) P O Box 340007, Nashville 37203-0007; cosregistrar@gbhem.org; 615-340-7416. In your request, please include your: 1. Full name, 2. Conference name, 3. PID (if available, top of a grade sheet), 4. Date of birth, 5. Email address
2026 COURSE SCHEDULE
The Zoom COS course term begins 30 days prior to the first weekend This allows pastors to complete and submit prework, view any pre-course videos, etc.
The following exceptions must be approved by Dr. Nye prior to the first weekend of class:
1. Late registration; 2. Late prework; 3. If you are graduating from COS notify Dr. Barbara Nye bnye34@gmail.com three weeks prior to your first course weekend.
Reserve Friday 4:30-8:30 pm and Saturday, 8:30 am-3:30 pm for both weekends of classes. Please do NOT plan other responsibilities during course sessions. Always follow Zoom etiquette – your camera must be on during class, and you are attentive to instruction and participating, mic off, etc. Use computers. Thanks.
Course SYLLABUS links are beside the course title (syllabi available by Dec. 15, 2025)
All classes will be by Zoom
February 6-7 and March 6-7, 2026
COS 124 *Transformative Leadership *(do not take 124 if you took COS 113) Rev. Dr. Robert Brown Syllabus
COS 222 (formerly 212) Theological Heritage II: Early Church Rev. Dr. William McDonald Syllabus
March 13-14 and April 10-11, 2026
COS 121 (formerly 111) Bible I: Introduction Rev. Dr. Chris Haynes Syllabus
COS 224 (formerly 114) Administration and Polity Rev. Dr. Phil Jamieson Syllabus
COS 421 (formerly 411) Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms, & Wisdom Literature Rev. Dr. Jack Keller Syllabus
COS 423 (formerly 513) Mission Rev. Dr. Robert Brown Syllabus
May 15-16 and May 29-30, 2026
COS 121 (formerly 111) Bible I: Introduction Rev. Dr. Russ Sisson
COS 122 (formerly 112) Theology I Rev. Dr. Phil Jamieson Syllabus
COS 123 (formerly 213) Formation and Discipleship Rev. Paul Walles Syllabus
COS 424 (formerly 414) Ethics Rev. Dr. Jack Keller Syllabus
May 15-16 and June 5-6, 2026
COS 322 (formerly 312) Theo. Heritage III: Medieval/Reformation Rev. Dr. William McDonald Syllabus
June 12-13 and July 17-18, 2026
COS 221 (formerly 211) Bible II: Torah & Israel’s History Rev. Dr. Russ Sisson
COS 523 (formerly 313) Evangelism Rev. Dr. Robert Brown Syllabus
July 31-August 1 and August 21-22, 2026
COS 223 (formerly 413) Worship and Sacraments Rev. Dr. Robert Brown Syllabus
COS 422 (formerly 412) Theological Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement Rev. Dr. William McDonald Syllabus
COS 522 (formerly 511) Contemporary Theology Rev. Dr. Jack Keller
August 28-29 and September 25-26, 2026
COS 121 (formerly 111) Bible I: Introduction Rev. Dr. Chris Haynes
COS 321 (formerly 311) Bible III: Gospels Rev. Dr. Jack Keller Syllabus
COS 324 (formerly 214) Preaching Rev. Dr. Robert Brown **limit 12 per class Syllabus
October 9-10 and November 6-7, 2026
COS 521 (formerly 511) Bible V: Acts, Epistles & Revelation Rev. Dr. Jack Keller Syllabus
COS 523 (formerly 313) Evangelism – Rev. Dr. Bryan Brooks Syllabus
COS 323 (formerly 314) Congregational Care Rev. Paul Walles Syllabus
COS 524 (formerly 514) Theological Reflection: Practice of Ministry Rev. Dr. Robert Brown Syllabus
INFORMATION AND POLICIES
ALPS-TWKH COS reserves the right to cancel a course or to change instructors. Course cancelation rarely happen and is due to insufficient enrollment in a course or an unforeseen faculty conflict.
COS Students, please carefully read and follow the information and policies below.
REGISTRATION: Students must be a part-time local pastor to attend the ALPS-TWKH Extension School unless an exception is approved by GBHEM. Contact Dr. Barbara Nye for exception information and process bnye34@gmail.com
Please register at least 3-6 months prior to the COS course(s) you wish to take. This assures enrollment space and adequate time to order your textbooks and to complete required prework assignments on time. Select the “Registration Form Tab” at www.alpsumc.org. Keep a copy of your Registration Form after it is sent to the District Superintendent. Registration ends 30 days prior to the COS course’s first required class session unless a late registration exception is granted by Dr. Nye bnye34@gmail.com.
TUITION PAYMENT POLICY: Students must pay their course registration and tuition balance at least 30 days prior to attending the first weekend class sessions. Students are responsible for their full balance. Contact Dr. Barbara Nye bnye34@gmail.com for any “late payment approval.”
COURSE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE: A “Request to Withdraw” must be completed at least 30 days prior to the first weekend course session date. “30 days prior to the first weekend of the course” is the start date for the course. To “Request to Withdraw” email bnye34@gmail.com and copy alpsmthcos@gmail.com. 30 or more days prior to the first course weekend session. Please do NOT contact the course instructor to request a withdrawal. The instructor CANNOT withdraw you from a class. The Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If the class fee has been paid and you request a “Late Withdrawal” (less than 30 days prior to the first-class session): both the Registration and Tuition fees are non-refundable since registration has been processed and all course arrangements have already been made. If you have not paid and you request a “Late Withdrawal” (less than 30 days prior to the first-class session): You will still be required to pay the $370 class fee since registration has been processed and all course arrangements have already been made. Submission of a course Registration Form to ALPS-TWKH signifies the student has read the ALPS-TWKH policies, intends to take the courses listed on the registration form, and the student understands they are responsible for payment of the registration ($70) fee for each course and tuition fee ($300), unless paid by the conference.
ATTENDANCE of all weekend Zoom class sessions is REQUIRED. Email instructor for Zoom class session information if needed.
SCHEDULE & SYLLABI: Select the ALPS-TWKH 2026 Course Schedule at www.alpsumc.org for course dates. Scroll down and click on the course syllabus link beside the course title. As soon as you register 1) review the syllabus, 2) order textbooks and begin prework. Your registration form will flow from your DS to your conference registrar and then to the ALPS-TWKH Registrar-Pam Whitmore. alpsmthcos@gmail.com The Registrar will email the student a COURTESY INVOICE – upon receipt of your application. The invoice shows any remaining fee or tuition balance still owed or zero balance if the conference will pay the full tuition. You will be registered for the course unless contacted by Pam. MAIL the $70 registration fee at least 35 days prior to the first weekend course meeting. Thank you. Contact Pam alpsmthcos@gmail.com if you need to ask if she has received your registration form.
Please add the instructor’s email address and alpsmthcos@gmail.com to your computer email address book NOW. Check your email and spam regularly. Course weekend materials, videos, Zoom session links and other information are emailed to students as a group by the course instructor prior to class—about 2-3 weeks ahead of the first-class weekend.
Follow the course syllabus for 2026. Syllabi may change each year. 2026 COS Course syllabi will be posted on this website by APPROXIMATELY December 15, 2025, or as soon as the faculty emails these to Pam. If a syllabus is not posted, Pam does not have it.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY: Students are responsible to submit prework on time, read course emails and follow their course syllabus carefully. Students are responsible to contact the instructor by email 14 days ahead of the first REQUIRED weekend class session — if they have not received the instructor’s “Welcome Email” with REQUIRED materials to print for class, pre-course videos, etc. Courses begin 30 days prior to the first residential or course weekend and require completion of prework on time (see syllabus), watching any required pre and during course videos, any other required assignments including partner discussions, etc. Questions about the syllabus: contact the instructor by email. Instructor emails are listed on the syllabus. Please DO NOT email the instructor to try to withdraw from a course. Email Dr. Nye regarding any withdrawal bnye34@gmail.com
TEXTBOOKS & REGISTRATION FEE: Order textbooks and begin reading and completing prework as soon as you email (or give) your District Superintendent the Course Registration Form. MAIL your Course registration fee to ALPS-TWKH COS (c/o or Pam Whitmore, Register) as soon as you email or deliver your registration form to the District Superintendent. Pam’s address is on the registration form. Failure to pay registration does not exempt you from paying all course fees.
COURSE ENROLLMENT NOTICE: Students will NOT receive an enrollment notice. You will only be notified if the course is cancelled due to insufficient or full enrollment. Registration signifies your course enrollment unless you receive further notice from the Registrar. The Registrar will email the student a COURTESY INVOICE – 30 days prior to the first-class session weekend. The invoice shows any remaining fee or tuition balance still owed or zero balance if the conference will pay the full tuition. The student is responsible to request an invoice if it is not received currently and to pay any balance immediately upon receipt of the invoice 30 days ahead of the course. Contact the registrar at alpsmthcos@gmail.com for questions.
TRANSCRIPT: An Official COS Transcript must be included with your first 2026 registration form to verify you have taken COS 121 and COS 122 prerequisite courses per GBHEM policy. Both courses are required prior to enrolling in any other COS courses (GBHEM policy effective June 30, 2019). Request an official transcript from cosregistrar@gbhem.org. A Student will not have a transcript if they have not taken COS 121 and 122—so just email Pam you do not have a transcript yet.
Only GBHEM-General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the UMC maintains your official transcript. Contact bnye34@gmail.com for prerequisite COS 121 or 122 assistance. If you have not taken COS 121 or 122 and wish to discuss taking 123 or 124 prior to taking COS 121 and/or 122 contact bnye34@gmail.com
PREWORK: Prework assignments for Hybrid courses must be MAILED and postmarked 10 days prior to the first Friday/Saturday weekend class session or May term class sessions–unless the SYLLABUS SAYS TO EMAIL the prework to the instructor by a specific date OR to submit the prework earlier than 10 days prior to the course. Students must follow the SYLLABUS directions. Use regular mail or priority mail if you need a mail tracking number. Do NOT mark signature required. Courses begin 30 days prior to first weekend of the required WEEKEND class session. The 30-day period includes: prework submission, viewing pre-course videos if provided, other assignments, securing weekend Zoom session links from instructors, etc.
PREWORK EXTENSIONS – Normal church duties do NOT constitute a reason for a Pre-work Extension. Extensions are for health emergencies, etc. Email “Extension Requests” to bnye34@gmail.com.
COVER SHEET is required for Assignments: Click here The Academic Honor Code is available on alpsumc.org under General Information: Student Honor Code-page 2.
Academic Honor Code updated September 30, 2025: Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelli (AI), (Rev. Dr. Jeff Conklin-Miller, 2025).
The learning outcomes in this class seek to form students as “pastor theologians'” equipped to “participate responsibly to the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church” through the work of close reading of primary (historical) texts and articulation of doctrinal and theological commitments in the Wesleyan tradition. The skills required for such historical and theological study area also skills required for faithful leadership in the work of ordained and pastoral ministry, including critical thinking and clear writing, foundational to the practices of preaching, teaching, and leading in mission and ministry.
Given these learning outcomes and their role in shaping students for faithful work in pastoral and ordained ministry, all assignments in this class should be entirely prepared and completed by the student. While the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to offer a growing set of tools that may be useful and helpful in both academic and pastoral work, it is essential that students learn the foundational skills in reading, comprehending, and writing as prerequisite to the academic and ethical use of AI tools for this class assumes that outside of these reviewing functions, all work submitted by students –drafts and final works–will be generated by the students themselves and without the use of AI tools. As a result, the use of generative AI tools beyond basic proofreading and grammar review may then constitute a violation of the academic honesty policy.