COURSE OF STUDY

Holiness of heart and life is traced as a theological doctrine from early Judeo-Christian literature through the 21st-century expression in the Church of the Nazarene. This course module has 12 lessons.

This course module acquaints the student with the fundamentals of Missiology, the theology of missions. Pastors must be knowledgeable of and sensitive to cultures other than their own in this rapidly diversifying world. This course module has 10 lessons.

In this course module students confront the ideology of religious pluralism from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective. Religious pluralism claims that not only are there many religions, the diversity represents the way things ought to be. There exists no single religious perception of reality that is universally applicable and binding. No religion can legitimately claim to proclaim the truth for all persons. This course module has 12 lessons.

The fundamentals of evangelism are considered in this course module and various approaches to evangelism are presented. This course module has 12 lessons.

The foundation and development of the Christian Church up to the Reformation period (1500 A.D.) is studied in this course module. This course module has 12 lessons.

Developments in the Church since 1500 A.D. is the focus of this course module. This course module has 18 lessons.

The course module writer views the minister and the ministry from a biblical perspective, presents the ministry as a high calling demanding holy living and hard work, and encourages a hunger for and commitment to a lifetime of arduous study and patient ministry. This course module has 6 lessons and lasts 6 weeks.

The course module will examine the life of Wesley in a historical context, Britain in the 18th century. It will also examine Wesley’s dependence upon and creative appropriation of certain theological traditions. Each aspect of the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” will be examined. This course module has 15 lessons.

This module is designed to give a multi-disciplinary view of the ordination of women in the Church of the Nazarene. Broader biblical, historical and theological issues will be explored, with specific emphasis given to the Wesleyan-Holiness heritage. Practical issues such as power dynamics, the importance of inclusive language, and modeling gender mutuality, as well as the practical aspects of mixed gender pastoral teams, co-pastoring, and family issues for women clergy, are also discussed. This course has 15 lessons.

A set of procedures by which to pursue the meaning of the text for its author and/or original audience and the ability to move from that original meaning to a contemporary application or contemporary significance is what this course module provides the student. Prerequisite to CSBL1020. This course module has 14 lessons.

This course module introduces the student to Systematic Theology, a thematic approach to understanding Christian Theology. This course has 20 lessons.

This course module continues the Introduction to Systematic Theology, a thematic approach to understanding Christian Theology. It is advisable that Christian Theology I be taken before Christian Theology II although it is not a requirement. This course module has 17 lessons.

The overarching vision for this course module is for each student to embrace the biblical model of servant as the driving force and organizing principle within the individual as he or she seeks to lead a Christian community of faith. This course module has 16 lessons.

The moral implications of the Gospel and Christian character are key themes of this module. Special attention will be given to the unique way in which moral reflection has characterized the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. This course module has 20 lessons.

Spiritual formation is the transformational outworking of the grace of God in the hearts and actions of human beings. It includes Christian fellowship, community, and worship (Eph 4:15-16) as well as acts of service (Gal 6:10). This course module focuses primarily on the spiritual disciplines, devotional skills, and practices that open the door to the transforming Spirit. This course module has 20 lessons.

The fundamentals of sermon preparation and presentation are addressed in this course module. Students are expected to produce and preach sermons in their local setting. This course module has 14 lessons.

The course module is an introduction to the field of Christian education. This course module has 20 lessons.

In this course module the student is introduced to the fundamentals of pastoral counseling. This course module has 16 lessons.

This course module will introduce the student to the New Testament biblical literature, Bible study methods, and the environment of the Early Church. Special attention will be given to the political, cultural, religious, and geographical setting, the literary genre, and the meaning of the text in its original cultural, historical, and literary context for the purpose of discovering the principles of truth to be applied to our contemporary setting. Prerequisite to CSBL1020. This course module has 20 lessons.

This course module is an introduction to the serious study of the Hebrew Scriptures in their historical, cultural and literary contexts. The course module emphasizes the essential contents, structure and theological message of the books of the Old Testament. Students are introduced to the practice of biblical exegesis and to the geography and archaeology of the lands of the Bible. Prerequisite to CSBL1020. This course module has 13 lessons.

Through this biblical theology course module, students will learn to sort through the Bible’s witness to God’s involvement in the lives of people long dead to discern the timeless truths that should shape our understanding of God and life as his people. This is the only course module requiring a textbook. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (NDBT) ISBN: 978-0830814381. Prerequisites: CSBL1011, CSBL1012, and CSBL1021. This module has 12 lessons.

NNU has implemented a defined Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policy for our online Course of Study Program. It is as follows:

1. Students can add a course module up until 5:00 pm MST on Tuesday prior to the first day of class.

2. Students can drop (meaning no record of attending the class) up to 7 days/1 week from the beginning date of the class; however, there are no refunds.

3. Students may withdraw (leaving a W on their transcript) based on the length of the module, 3 weeks for a 6-week module, and 6 weeks for a 12-week module.

All drops/withdrawals must be emailed to the Course of Study Office at COS@nnu.edu, and the instructor, by midnight MST on Sunday of the weeks mentioned above.

Even though I will not be in the office on Sundays, your emails will be date and time stamped when they were received and will be processed the following Monday.

The Course of Study Enrollment Policy has more information.

Anyone 16 years or older who is proficient in English. Students seeking ordination in the Nazarene Church are expected to coordinate their online studies with their District Board of Ministerial Studies.

The modules are hosted in the NNU course management system. Upon course module registration, students will be provided access to the website and navigation instructions.

Please see the Canvas Guides page for the minimum computer system requirements.

Access to the module will be given the week prior to the start date.

Yes. All of our Course of Study Modules will work on both Mac and Windows computers.

Yes. The course modules have weekly schedules associated with each course module. Students are required to complete assignments and discussion during the week it is assigned. Any deviation from the schedule must be arranged with the facilitator in advance.

Students gain more from a course module if they pace themselves by regularly scheduling times to access the course module, preferably on a daily basis. The course modules are designed to be taken over a period of time to allow students to assimilate the concepts and skills presented. Flexibility is an important aspect of the COS Online program. Students have 24/7 access to their course modules and can work on them at any time of day that fits their schedule. However, students should plan to take advantage of the full time the course module is offered. They should access and participate often. In order to pass, students must complete all assignments, demonstrate an understanding of the material and an ability to use it.

Each module is scheduled for 12 weeks with the exception of Exploring Christian Ministry which is 6 weeks.

This will differ with each individual but 10-15 hours per week should be sufficient.

Yes. The COS Online program does meet the educational ordination requirements outlined by the Church of the Nazarene.

Yes. You can earn one NNU elective college credit for each course module completed with a grade of C or higher with a maximum of 18 credits total. These 18 electives can transfer into any of NNU’s fully online bachelor’s degree programs.

Yes. The academic credits from COS Online modules are transferable. Note: It is the discretion of other Nazarene schools whether to accept these credits.

You may take anywhere from one to two course modules at a time. First-time students are strongly encouraged to just take one module to start with.

Refunds are not available. See our Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policy.

Yes. Please see our Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policy.

Students should request a transcript be sent to their District Board of Ministerial Studies. This is issued by the NNU Registrar. Request your transcript here.