Course of Study School of Ohio: West Virginia Extension

11/17/2023

Greetings COS Students,

I need to share with you some difficult news. Because of declining enrollment, the WV COS Board of Managers unanimously approved the recommendation to discontinue the WV Extension School. During the past several years, beginning with the pandemic, we have seen a significant drop in registrations.

There are several factors behind the decline in enrollment that led to this decision, which I won't belabor here. Nonetheless, the Board of Managers for the WV Extension wrestled with this decision and considered multiple options for going forward but in the end, we felt this was the correct course of action. Consequently, the current Fall Term 2023 will be the WV Extension Schools final term.

On behalf of the Board of Managers and our outstanding faculty, it has been a privilege to serve the local pastors who chose the WV Extension School over the past 30 years. For those who are still actively working through the Course of Study program, here is a link to other course of study programs/options: https://www.gbhem.org/clergy/course-of-study-schools/. To all our students, past and most recent, thank you for sharing your Course of Study journey with us. Best wishes to each of you in your journey ahead.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Greg Markins
Director, WV Extension

06/06/2023

Summer Term and Fall Term 2023 Registration is now open. Registration is now completely online, including DS and Local Pastor Registrar's approval. This link >>>>>> https://coswv.org/registration/ will take you directly to the registration page.

All courses being offered are under the Hybrid format (50% computer mediated and 50% on-campus (see registration page for specific dates).

05/11/2023

The Summer Term 2023 Registration is now open. As you will notice, the registration process is now fully online. To register for a Summer Term 2023 class, follow this link: https://coswv.org/registration/.

To register, you will need the following information:
District Superintendent's NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS
Local Pastor Registrar's NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS
Your PID #.

If you have any questions, you may post them here or contact me directly.

Peace,
Rev. Greg Markins
COSSO: WV Extension Director

04/06/2023

Greetings COS Students,
I have some sad news to share with you. Lisa Tappe, who has served as the WV Extension Registrar for many years, died this morning after a brief illness. Although much of Lisa's work was behind the scenes, she served with excellence and went out of her way to help students navigate through the COS registration process. Across the many Annual Conferences, the WV Extension serves, Lisa played an important role in the formation of the pastors who've come to Spring Heights for 15+ years. She will indeed be missed!

Arrangements:
Visitation is Tuesday, April 11th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Celebration of Lisa’s life will be Wednesday, April 12 at 11AM. Visitation and Funeral service will be at Grissel’s Funeral Home in Moundsville, WV.

If you wish, condolences may be sent to her husband Jeff Tappe - 1700 Warwood Ave - Wheeling, WV 26003.

Peace,
Rev. Greg Markins, WV Extension Director

Share Memories and Support the Family.

10/30/2022

Spring Term 2023 Registration is now open. The Spring Term will be fully on campus at the Spring Heights Camp and Retreat Center in Spencer, WV with exception of COS 122 - Theological Heritage I. COS 122 will be offered in the HBYRID format (approximately 50% computer-mediated/online and 50% on campus). For more information re: COS 122, see course syllabus at https://coswv.org/schedule/.

To register for Spring classes, go to https://coswv.org/registration/.

09/06/2022

Greetings COS Community.
If you have registered for COS 422 for the upcoming Fall Term but have not received a confirmation from the COS Registrar, please reach out to me ASAP ([email protected]).

Thank you!
Greg

06/09/2022

03/29/2022

Summer Term Registration is now open. Select this link to register: https://coswv.org/registration/

07/26/2021

My name is Stewart Cottrell and I’ve been serving as a licensed local Pastor since 2017 in the West Virginia Conference. I serve a four-point charge in Clay and Roane counties in WV.

I first was introduced to the WV Extension Course of Study program at Spring Heights during PMLS. At first it seemed overwhelming to have to attend classes while serving my churches and working a full-time job. I was very apprehensive to say the least.

That all changed when I attended my first class the following fall. Being at the WV Extension school at Spring Heights was such a great experience. The fellowship with fellow clergy in that environment was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed every moment. The class was very interesting and I felt like I was growing as a spiritual leader. The following Spring was a blessing as well. I grew to look forward to the weekend retreat with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

As I was gearing up for my third course COVID hit and changed everything. I wanted to wait until we could go back to in-person at Spring Heights but that wasn’t happening soon enough. They offered online courses and once again I became very apprehensive not knowing what to expect from an on line course.

I enrolled this spring and once again I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be impersonal, but I was wrong. I connected with so many fellow clergy and made some more lifelong friends. I am now friends with several Pastors from a couple of different states. I got a lot out of the course.

In a short time taking these courses through the WV Extension, COS has become a vital part of my spiritual development. The friends I’ve made and the growth I’ve experienced through the courses are invaluable to me. I am very blessed to be a part of the Spring Heights family.

07/23/2021

My name is Anita Richter, and I serve Jackson Chapel UMC in Grove City, Ohio. This past Spring, I was fortunate to take a class through the West Virginia Extension via online.

The instructor was excellent and guided us, for example, in our ability to determine how the Sacraments play a role in the church.

Our instructor guided this class in such a way that everyone was encouraged to participate in the group conversations.

This was my third course, and I found it to be a most enjoyable experience. If the opportunity should arise again to take another course through the West Virginia Extension.

07/22/2021

If you intend to register for COS 521 or COS 523 for this upcoming Summer Term, please message me or email of your intentions ASAP.

07/20/2021

My name is Monica Calvert-Ohler. I serve the Brave Charge (Valley Chapel, Kent’s Chapel and Spraggs UMC) in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. I have truly enjoyed all my experiences related to my time affiliated with the Course of Study School of Ohio: WV Extension at Spring Heights in Spencer, WV.

I have had the opportunity to travel to England with instructors and classmates and witness our rich Methodist heritage firsthand. I would never had the chance to experience such an understanding of who we are as Methodist without this onsite classroom experience. I greatly encourage all to take this opportunity of a lifetime offered at “our” COS. The bonds of friendship made on this trip were incredible.

Maybe like me, you are apprehensive about going back to school. If so, this is exactly the Course of Study program for you. The instructors are available and will help you throughout. Our writing coach will assist with everything from how to properly write your papers to computer assistance (some call him “computer tech guru”).

You will have opportunities to lean, grow, preach, and pray in immeasurable ways. My favorite part is you experience all this in the scenic hills of WV, truly “almost heave” (and maybe some in England). The peace you will find is so refreshing, the visits from the horses, turkeys or deer are sure to entertain. In the place you can be still and know God is with you!