Course of Study Offers "Hybrid" Advanced COSS Class in Spanish

Advanced COSS class in hybrid format allows Spanish-speaking students to attend four days on campus followed by online assignments.

The United Methodist Regional Course of Study School (COSS) at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University is introducing an Advanced Course of Study School class in a new hybrid format. The new format will allow Spanish-speaking students to travel to Perkins in January 2015 for four days of classroom instruction and computer training, and then return to their pastoral appointments for the duration of the spring semester to complete assignments online with the flexibility of studying according to their own schedule.
 
COSS Class, Advanced Course of Study, Hybrid Online Course in Spanish, United Methodist Regional Course of Study School, Perkins School of Theology, SMU, Southern Methodist University
 Course of Study Class at Perkins

Perkins is one of two theological schools in The United Methodist Church authorized to offer COSS classes in Spanish. Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo, director of the Regional COSS at Perkins and Professor of Christian Mission & Intercultural Studies, is excited about making coursework more accessible for working pastors. “As the Hispanic-Latino/a population continues to increase in the United States,” Dr. Wingeier-Rayo said, “Perkins is committed to recruiting and training Hispanic/Latino clergy. For persons who feel the call to parish ministry but do not yet have the English proficiency, money or educational level to enter seminary,” Dr. Wingeier-Rayo added, “Course of Study is an ideal alternative. This new hybrid format is an important step forward for increasing access to quality theological education.”

COSS is a pastoral training program of the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC. After completing the basic Course of Study, a local pastor may choose to continue with an Advanced Course of Study including 32 hours of Masters level education in a seminary recognized by the University Senate. Credit for all Advanced COSS classes is given by the UMC’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry rather than the approved school of theology hosting the classes.

This new hybrid Advanced COSS class supplements the traditional two-week intensive summer COSS sessions that will continue to be offered each July. Cost for this class is $290, plus a $50 technology fee. Eligible students must be approved by their District Superintendent and their Board of Ordained Ministry local pastor registrar.

More information about the new course, or to register: www.smu.edu/Perkins/PublicPrograms/COSS/CursoHibrido
More information about United Methodist COSS: www.gbhem.org/education/licensing-and-course-study
More information about Perkins School of Theology: www.smu.edu/perkins

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Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry, as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.