Information and Policies
Submitting a registration form confirms that the student has read these policies, intends to take the listed courses, and accepts responsibility for all required fees.
Key Contacts
Registration, invoices, or grades: Contact Pam Whitmore, Registrar, at alpsmthcos@gmail.com or 931.239.5039 (Central Time Zone).
Official transcripts: Contact the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry COS Registrar at cos@gbhem.org, 615-340-7416, or P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007. Include your full name, conference name, PID if available, date of birth, and email address.
Course advisement, prerequisites, prework extensions, or other questions: Contact Dr. Barbara Nye, Director, at bnye34@gmail.com or 615.289.4332 (Central Time Zone).
Registration Eligibility and Timeline
All full-time and part-time local pastors are invited to attend the ALPS-TWK-HOLSTON Extension School.
Students are encouraged to register 3–6 months before the COS course begins. Early registration helps secure enrollment and allows time to order books and complete prework.
- Select the Registration Form tab at www.alpsumc.org.
- Send your completed registration to your District Superintendent.
- The District Superintendent will send the form to your conference registrar.
- Your conference registrar will process your form to Pam Whitmore, ALPS-TWK-HOLSTON Registrar, at alpsmthcos@gmail.com.
- You are registered for the course unless Pam contacts you with other information.
- Pam will email a courtesy invoice after receiving your application. The invoice will show any remaining balance.
- Mail the $70 registration fee when you submit the form, early enough to arrive before the 30-day payment deadline. Send payment to ALPS-TWK-HOLSTON COS, c/o Pam Whitmore, Registrar. Pam’s mailing address appears on the registration form. Any tuition balance is due at least 30 days before the first class weekend. Students remain responsible for all fees not paid by the conference.
- Include an official COS transcript from cos@gbhem.org with your first 2027 registration form to verify completion of COS 121/131 and COS 122/132. Both are required before any other COS courses. For prerequisite questions, including COS 123 or COS 124 before COS 121/131 and/or COS 122/132, contact Dr. Barbara Nye at bnye34@gmail.com.
- Registration closes 30 days before the first class weekend. Contact Dr. Nye to request late registration.
Course Schedule and Syllabi
Course dates and syllabi are available at www.alpsumc.org. Open the course schedule, find your course title, and select the syllabus link.
Textbooks and Course Preparation
Order textbooks and begin reading as soon as you submit your registration form. The COS term begins 30 days before the first class weekend; use this time to complete prework, watch required videos, secure Zoom links, and finish course requirements.
Email and Course Materials
Add the instructor’s email address and alpsmthcos@gmail.com to your contacts. Check your inbox and spam folder regularly. Contact the instructor if you have not received required materials at least 14 days before the first class weekend.
Class Schedule and Zoom Expectations
Reserve Friday 4:30–8:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for both class weekends. Do not schedule other responsibilities during class.
Attendance at all required Zoom sessions is mandatory. Email the instructor if you need Zoom information.
Follow Zoom etiquette by keeping your camera on, staying attentive, participating as directed, muting when not speaking, and using a computer rather than a phone whenever possible.
Student Responsibilities
- Follow the current syllabus carefully.
- Submit prework on time and complete all required assignments.
- Read course emails and follow all instructor directions.
Prework Requirements
Mail prework so it is postmarked at least 10 days before the first class weekend, unless the syllabus states otherwise.
- Follow the syllabus directions exactly.
- Email prework only if the syllabus instructs you to do so.
- Use regular mail or priority mail if tracking is needed.
- Do not require a signature for mailed prework.
Prework Extensions
Normal church duties do not qualify for a prework extension. Extensions are reserved for health emergencies or similar circumstances. Email extension requests to Dr. Nye at bnye34@gmail.com.
Assignment Cover Sheet and Academic Honor Code
A cover sheet is required for assignments. The Academic Honor Code is available at this link.
Academic Honor Code Update: Artificial Intelligence
Effective date: September 30, 2025. This update outlines the policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), prepared by Rev. Dr. Jeff Conklin-Miller in 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.
Exceptions Requiring Prior Approval
Dr. Nye must approve the following exceptions before the first weekend of class:
- Late registration
- Late prework
- Class withdrawal
- COS graduation notification: If you are graduating from COS, notify Dr. Barbara Nye at bnye34@gmail.com three weeks before your first course weekend.
Course Withdrawal and Cancellation Policies
To withdraw from a course, email Dr. Nye at bnye34@gmail.com at least 30 days before the first class and copy alpsmthcos@gmail.com.
- The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Withdrawals made fewer than 30 days before the first class are non-refundable. If payment has not been made, the student is responsible for the full $370 because registration has been processed and course arrangements have been made.
Course cancellation policy: ALPS-TWK-HOLSTON COS reserves the right to cancel a course or change instructors. Course cancellations are rare and generally occur only because of insufficient enrollment or an unforeseen faculty conflict.
2027 Alps-TWK-Holston Course Schedule
Before selecting courses, consult the COS Equivalencies by Topic Form to confirm which current courses meet requirements under both the current and new curricula.
February 5-6 and March 5-6, 2027
COS 124 Transformative Leadership *(do not take 124 if you took COS 113) Rev. Dr. Robert Brown
COS 222 Theological Heritage II: Early Church Rev. Dr. William McDonald
March 12-13 and April 9-10, 2027
COS 224 Administration and Polity Rev. Dr. Phil Jamieson
COS 322 Theo. Heritage III: Medieval/Reformation Rev. Dr. William McDonald
COS 421 Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms, & Wisdom Literature Dr. Jack Keller
COS 423 Mission Rev. Dr. Robert Brown
May 14-15 and June 11-12, 2027
COS 121/131 Bible I: Introduction (131 Introduction to the Bible) Rev. Dr. Chris Haynes
COS 123 Formation and Discipleship Rev. Paul Walles
COS 223 Worship and Sacraments Rev. Dr. Robert Brown
COS 424 Ethics Dr. Jack Keller
July 9-10 and August 6-7, 2027
COS 221 Bible II: Torah & Israel’s History Rev. Dr. Russ Sisson
COS 522 Contemporary Theology Dr. Jack Keller
COS 523 Evangelism Rev. Dr. Robert Brown
August 27-28 and September 24-25, 2027
COS 122/132 Theology I (132 Introduction to Theology) Rev. Dr. Phil Jamieson
COS 321 Bible III: Gospels Rev. Dr. Jack Keller
COS 324 Preaching Rev. Dr. Robert Brown **limit 12 per class
COS 422 Theological Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement Rev. Dr. William McDonald
October 8-9 and November 5-6, 2027
COS 323 Congregational Care Rev. Paul Walles
COS 521 Bible V: Acts, Epistles & Revelation Dr. Jack Keller
COS 524 Theological Reflection: Practice of Ministry Rev. Dr. Robert Brown