NON-DEGREE COURSE OF STUDY

This course equips students with the ability to exegete Christian Scripture for the sake of faithful proclamation and preaching. Attention will be given to the development of the canon, historical models of biblical interpretation, their application to contemporary cultural contexts and a distinctly Wesleyan understanding of the function of Scripture in Christian life, theology and ministry.

An exploration of the timeline of the Old Testament, its literary structure and its theology. Special attention will be given to developing the ability to communicate the major turning points, figures and the history of Israel.

An exploration of the timeline of the New Testament, its literary structure and its theology. Special attention will be given to the spread of the gospel as recorded in the New Testament and the forms of preaching and evangelism expressed therein.

Exhibit a working knowledge in conversation with parishioners and ministry peers (Nazarene and other Christian traditions) of the history of the Church of the Nazarene, our roots, the formative events and persons, etc. of our Wesleyan heritage and denomination (with global awareness) along with a capacity to relay past history to the possibilities of the present.

A theological exploration of the God who is holy and the call to be a holy people. This course will include a survey of OT and NT history and texts concerning a theology of holiness, the historical development of the theology of holiness and a Wesleyan understanding of the doctrine of Christian perfection.

This course explores the development of the Christian confession, worship and practice across history. Looking to the major points of development, it will take account of the ecumenical councils, major turning points in ecclesiastical history and the relationship of church history to major world events.

A biblical, historical and theological exploration of women in the life of the church and Christian ministry. Special attention will be given to celebrating the ministry of women in the Church of the Nazarene.

A biblical, theological and philosophical exploration of Christian ethics and role of the Christian minister as a moral theologian. Drawing on the resources of the Wesleyan-holiness tradition, special attention is given to skills and insights for making complex moral decisions in Christian ministry.

Considering the postmodern challenges to discipleship, this course explores the ways pastors and churches can create an effective discipleship strategy. Emphasis will be given to a clear and biblical definition of discipleship that addresses the pastor as disciple and the church as God’s disciple-making entity in the world.

Leadership theory and theology will serve as the foundation of the fundamentals of leadership. Personal leadership styles and character development will be assessed. Leading teams, groups, other leaders and organizations will be a progressive focus while also learning to use tools to cast vision, develop strategy and mission and develop greater stewardship. Culture and change will also be considered in the context of a missional community. Upon completion, students will have knowledge of leadership with tools to guide organizations to transformational change and organizational health.

Exploration of theological sources and method, the doctrine of God, doctrine of the Trinity, Christology, Pneumatology.

A course that guides students to reflect theologically on life and ministry by exploring various sources of theological reflection. In particular, dominant themes and figures in contemporary theology will be explored. In this exploration, students will compare and contrast distinctive characteristics of Wesleyan theology and specifically looking at Theological Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology-Atonement-Holiness, Ecclesiology and Eschatology.

This course explores the local church in the context of its community. Students will gain the ability to discern sociological dynamics, power dynamics and exegete congregations and communities for the sake of mission, and explore movements related to church planting and revitalization.

In this course, students will develop a holistic theological vision of compassionate ministry and evangelism that is biblically sound and culturally sensitive. Students will learn to make use of models of community exegesis for the sake of hospitable engagement.

This course explores the dynamic relationship among the elements of Christian worship, providing students the ability to plan, evaluate and execute the liturgical elements of a Christian worship service.

This course equips students with the ability to work exegetically in a biblical text, plan and deliver sermons, making use of various homiletical models. Students will also gain the capacity to evaluate various models of preaching for the sake of faithful ministry.

Beginning with a Wesleyan theology of mission, this course provides the student the ability to draw together hospitable engagement and intercultural understanding as the basis for ministry in intercultural contexts.

An exploration of the developmental factors affecting Christian formation and pastoral care across the lifetime of persons. Emphasis will be placed on how pastoral care can be offered at the various stages of life. Short-term counseling and trauma awareness will also be explored.

This course will examine models of leadership and administration for the sake of faithful Christian ministry. It will include training in leadership and administrative skills and provide the ability to employ current models of organizational leadership and administration.

The Ordination Capstone Course will guide and assist the student in the development of a ministry handbook that will be a resource to them throughout their future ministry. Through the compilation of assignments and resources, supervised experiences and the completed demonstration of necessary competencies for vocational ministry, they will have developed a portfolio of theological, spiritual and personal reflection, as well as practical experience in the local context that will be a future resource for ministry.

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

1. Students can add a course module up until 5:00 p.m. MST on the Monday one week prior to the first day of class.
2. Students can drop a course (meaning no record of attending) up until 5:00 p.m. MST on the Monday one week following the first day of class.
3. Students may withdraw (leaving a W on their transcript) up until 5:00 p.m. MST on the Monday 3 weeks following the drop deadline.

All drops/withdrawals must be emailed to the Non-Degree Course of Study Office at ncos@nnu.edu, and the instructor.

In order to help all current and future NCOS students succeed in their work, the following registration policy has been implemented by the Non-Degree Course of Study Program:

1. Students in the NCOS program may register or enroll in one (1) NCOS course per quad and two (2) per session. This allows the student to adjust to online learning, the specific nuances of the course management system, the “rhythms” of our NCOS courses and balancing church, study and work responsibilities.
2. If unusual circumstances may call for an exception, and if a reasonable plan that could help a student succeed can be implemented, then such an exception may be requested from the Director of the NCOS Program. Such a request would need to come from the student and be supported either by the chair of the student’s District Board of Ministry or by the District Superintendent, who would (a) offer some rationale for the request and (b) describe the support that would be provided to assist in the student’s successful completion of the course work.

This request (including the district support of that request) would need to be received by the Director of the NCOS Program at least one week before the close of a session’s registration.

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

A formal application is not required. Registration is processed through PDLearn at pdlearn.nnu.edu through the Non- Degree Course of Study catalog there.

The courses are hosted in the NNU PDLearn course management system (Canvas). 

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

Students will be enrolled and provided access to the course(s) following the close of registration.

Yes. All of our NCOS courses will work on both Mac and Windows computers.

Yes. The courses have weekly schedules. 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 if they pace themselves by regularly scheduling times to access the course, preferably on a daily basis. Students have 24/7 access to their courses and can work on them at any time of day that fits their schedule. However, students should plan to 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 course is scheduled for 8 weeks.

This will differ with each individual, but 20 hours per week should be sufficient.

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

You may take one course at a time (per quad). 

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 (Parchment).