Training and educating local pastors to continue to lead in The United Methodist Church.
The Course of Study (COS) is a five-year program that offers training and education for people who are interested in becoming full or part-time local pastors in The United Methodist Church. Learn more about COS here.
The Western Jurisdiction Course of Study is the basic five-year theological education program of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry taught by faculty from Claremont who are leaders in their field from across the Western Jurisdiction. Learn more about the theological courses of Course of Study by clicking here. The 2020 Course of Study will be held at University of Redlands.
To complete a year of education, a student must take four classes. Anyone is welcome to take Western Jurisdiction Course of Study, whether your Annual Conference is in the Western Jurisdiction or any other UMC Jurisdiction.
This Course of Study program is made up of two sessions. Two classes are held in each session, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This allows a student to complete four classes in three weeks. Pre-class assignments make this shortened time possible.
Up Coming Sessions
Session I 2020
June 29th-July 4th
| Session 1 | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year | 4th Year | 5th Year |
| Morning | 122 Hagiya | 222 Tuell | 323 Richardson | 422 Maddox | 524 Jordan |
| Afternoon | 121 Bell | 223 Conklin | 322 Tuell | 424 Hagiya | 522 Suchocki |
Session II 2020
July 6th-July 11th
| Session 2 | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year | 4th Year | 5th Year |
| Morning | 123 Kujawa-Holbrook | 221 Tiueti | 321 Kim | 423 Hines | 523 Standiford |
| Afternoon | 124 Hagiya | 224 Standiford | 324 Conklin | 421 Tiueti | 521 Kim |
Registration and Costs
Registration will be available beginning in late January 2020
Please contact Faith Conklin for questions about courses or registration: fconklin@cst.edu
Registration forms can be printed by clicking the link at the top of the page or going to the resources page. Students need the signatures of their District Superintendent and Annual Conference Registrar on the form.
Mail the form to: WJ Course of Study, 1325 N. College, Claremont, CA 91711
Deadline for registration is May 20th
Late registrations, received after May 20th, will be charged an additional $25 fee
Course of Study fees are $225 for each class or $900 for all four classes. Lunch on class days is included in the fees. There is also a $25 non-refundable registration fee. Additional costs include travel, housing, books, and meals beyond lunch. Breakfast and dinner can be purchased on campus for an additional fee.
Student housing will be available on the campus of the University of the Redlands. The rate will be $50 per night.
Checks for fees and housing (except hotels) should be made out to Western Jurisdiction Course of Study. Payment should be sent to Western Jurisdiction Course of Study at 1325 N. College, Claremont, CA 91711 before arriving for class. All fees are due by the first day of class or before.
Syllabi and Books
The book list and course work for each class is described in the syllabus. When they are available they can be found under resources. Purchase your books and complete the pre-class assignments by the due date given.
Students may purchase their books online from Cokesbury.com, Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. Many students have purchased used books through Amazon, but Amazon does charge a delivery fee for used books. Many books can be downloaded to a Kindle or Nook, but pages numbers are often deleted from these devices. Books to be purchased are found in the syllabus for every class being taken. Books change most years, so look at the syllabi for 2020 before buying books.
Academic Expectations
Course of Study offers similar courses to what one might find in a Seminary, reading and writing at the college level are expected for pastors who enroll. Original work is critical to demonstrating learning and understanding of material and plagiarism is not tolerated and may result in failing the class. Work cannot come from a book, the internet, another student, or any other person unless full credit is given to the author of that content in a foot note.
Further Information
Please feel free to contact us about any information you need or concerns you have.
Call or email Rev. Dr. Faith J. Conklin at 909-447-2595 or fconklin_at_cst.edu