COVENANT SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about the program, admissions, schedule, costs, and the CSOM student experience.

Questions are welcome.

Choosing a school of ministry is an important decision. We want you to understand clearly what Covenant School of Ministry is, how the program works, what it costs, and what you can expect as a student. Explore the questions below, and if you still need help, our Admissions team would be glad to connect with you.

THE BIG PICTURE

Start here for the essentials about Covenant School of Ministry and the formation experience.

  • Covenant School of Ministry (CSOM) is an educational ministry of Covenant Church designed to form Spirit-filled disciples and leaders for faithful service in the Church and throughout society. The program integrates biblical and theological learning, spiritual formation, and practical experience through its Head, Heart, and Hands model.

    The goal is not simply for students to know more, but to become people who can faithfully carry what God entrusts to them and put what they are learning into practice.

  • Yes. Covenant School of Ministry is an educational ministry of Covenant Church rather than a separate college or university corporation.

  • CSOM is for people who desire serious biblical, theological, spiritual, and practical formation for their Kingdom calling. It is not limited to those preparing to become pastors.

    Students may be called to local-church ministry, leadership, worship, business, entrepreneurship, community service, missions, education, creative ministry, or other spheres of influence.

  • Covenant School of Ministry operates from Covenant Church at 2644 E. Trinity Mills Rd., Carrollton, Texas 75006, in the School of Ministry Building.

  • HEAD — Scholastic Formation
    Learning to think faithfully through Scripture, theology, wisdom, and disciplined study.

    HEART — Monastic Formation
    Forming the inner life through prayer, worship, community, character, identity, discernment, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit.

    HANDS — Apprenticeship Formation
    Putting what we are learning and becoming into faithful practice through leadership, service, apprenticeship, feedback, and Kingdom contribution.

    Simply put, Head, Heart, and Hands means forming the whole person—learning to think like Jesus, abide with Jesus, and live the way of Jesus in the world.

How the Program Works

PROGRAM & CREDENTIALS

CSOM is a two-year, 30-unit formation program built around a shared theology core, three certificate pathways, and a sequence of applied formation experiences.

  • The full Covenant School of Ministry certificate program is designed to be completed over two years and four semesters. Students complete a total of 30 units.

  • Students choose one of three certificate pathways:

    Certificate in Theology and Ministry
    Certificate in Kingdom Leadership
    Certificate in Worship Arts

    All three pathways share a common theological foundation while developing specialized areas of formation and practice.

  • The 30-unit program includes:

    12 units of Common Theology Core
    9 units of pathway-specific coursework
    3 units of Apprenticeship
    3 units of Directed Tutorial
    3 units of Capstone

    Together, these elements integrate biblical and theological study, spiritual formation, and applied learning.

  • No. Covenant School of Ministry does not award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Students who successfully complete the program receive the certificate associated with their selected pathway.

  • No. Covenant School of Ministry is a church-based, non-degree religious education program and is not currently accredited by a college or university accrediting agency.

  • No. CSOM uses units to measure and organize the requirements of its certificate programs. These units should not be understood as accredited college credit.

  • Transferability is not guaranteed. Any college, university, seminary, or other institution determines for itself whether it will recognize prior coursework completed through CSOM.

  • No. CSOM is designed to prepare and form students for faithful Kingdom service, but admission or graduation does not guarantee employment, a church staff position, pastoral placement, ordination, or another ministry appointment.

SCHEDULE, LEARNING & TECHNOLOGY

CSOM combines live Monday-evening instruction with an online campus for assignments, resources, communication, and academic support. The program is hybrid, but it is not designed as a self-paced or fully asynchronous experience.

What the Weekly Rhythm Looks Like

  • The primary instructional rhythm is built around Monday evenings. Spring and Fall semesters are structured as 14-week semesters, with common-core and pathway-specific instruction alternating through the semester. Students should also expect online learning and coursework between class meetings.

  • Monday evening classes meet from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

  • CSOM uses a hybrid learning model. Live instruction is supported by an online campus for course information, assignments, resources, grades, communication, and other academic materials.

  • No. CSOM is not designed as an asynchronous, self-paced program. Students should expect to participate in scheduled class sessions while also completing online coursework and activities between meetings.

  • CSOM uses Populi as its Student Information System and online learning platform. Students will use it for course materials, assignments, communication, grades, and academic records. Orientation will include onboarding and training for the system.

  • Students will need reliable internet access and an internet-connected device that allows them to use the CSOM online campus, complete assignments, access course resources, and communicate with faculty. Any additional course-specific technology requirements will be communicated by the school or individual instructor.

  • For a 3-unit course, students should plan for approximately five hours of work outside of class each week. This may include reading, assignments, preparation, reflection, and other course-related work.

  • Each professor will communicate expectations for missed classes, make-up work, and any required follow-up. Students should consult the course syllabus and contact the professor directly when an absence occurs.

  • Orientation will include technology onboarding and support for the online campus. Students who need additional help are encouraged to ask early so they can confidently access course information, assignments, resources, communication, and academic records.

APPLIED FORMATION

CSOM formation extends beyond the classroom. Through Apprenticeship, Directed Tutorial, and Capstone, students put what they are learning into practice in ways connected to their calling, certificate pathway, and real ministry or leadership context.

Learning Through Practice

  • Applied Formation is the Hands dimension of the CSOM formation model. It gives students opportunities to integrate biblical and theological learning, spiritual formation, calling, leadership, and practical experience in real contexts.

  • Yes. Every certificate pathway includes a required 3-unit Apprenticeship during Year Two. Students serve and lead under supervision, receive feedback, and integrate what they are learning with real ministry or leadership practice. The internal FAQ describes this as a required pathway-connected experience.

  • The 3-unit Directed Tutorial is an individualized Year Two learning experience completed before the Capstone. It allows students to explore an area of ministry, theology, leadership, worship, or vocation more deeply through guided study, mentoring, reflection, and focused application.

  • The 3-unit Capstone is the culminating experience of each certificate pathway. Students bring together their theological learning, spiritual formation, calling, and practical experience in a significant project or Kingdom contribution appropriate to their area of study.

  • Possibly. Existing ministry, workplace, or leadership settings may be considered when they provide an appropriate environment for guided learning, supervised practice, and the student’s formation goals. Approval is determined individually rather than assumed automatically.

  • Applied Formation experiences are intentionally individualized. Scheduling, placement, learning goals, supervision, and evaluation are worked out with the student and the appropriate CSOM leaders, mentors, or tutors so the experience supports the student’s certificate pathway and formation goals.

  • Supervision is arranged through the appropriate CSOM leaders, mentors, and tutors. The student, supervisor, and school work together to clarify expectations, learning goals, accountability, and evaluation.

PROGRAM COST

What Does CSOM Cost?

CSOM is designed to provide serious ministry formation at an accessible cost. Program charges include the annual program fee, technology and learning resources, and a one-time registration fee.

$150

Registration Fee

One time

$350

Technology & Learning Resource Fee

Per year

$2,500

Annual Program Fee

Per year

First-Year Total: $3,000 • Second-Year Total: $2,850 • Two-Year Program Charges: $5,850

  • The Technology & Learning Resource Fee supports technology and learning resources provided for students, including the online learning environment and required digital academic resources. Specific resource and access information is provided as part of enrollment and orientation.

  • Yes. CSOM currently provides multiple ways to satisfy annual program charges, including a paid-in-full option and installment plans. Students should always use the current published payment schedule and due dates when making financial arrangements.

  • Yes. Students who pay the Annual Program Fee in full by the published deadline receive a $125 discount, reducing the $2,500 Annual Program Fee to $2,375.

    The discount applies only to the Annual Program Fee. The Registration Fee and Technology & Learning Resource Fee are not discounted.

  • CSOM currently offers three payment approaches:

    Paid in Full — discounted Annual Program Fee of $2,375
    Four-Payment Plan — Annual Program Fee of $2,500
    Ten-Month Payment Plan — Annual Program Fee of $2,500

    Students should consult the current published payment schedule for specific due dates and requirements.

  • Not necessarily. Additional costs may vary by course. Individual instructors will communicate any required books, materials, travel, or other course-specific expenses. Students should not assume that every additional course expense is included in the annual program and resource fees.

  • CSOM does not currently plan to offer a scholarship program during its first two years.

  • No. Covenant School of Ministry does not participate in the federal Title IV student-aid program.

  • Students should consult the current Student Handbook and published CSOM policies for official payment, withdrawal, and refund terms. These policies should be relied upon rather than informal or verbal explanations.

ADMISSIONS

Taking the Next Step

The admissions process is designed to help prospective students understand CSOM, explore their calling and certificate pathway, and determine whether the program is the right fit for their next season of formation.

  • Prospective students should begin on the Admissions page of the CSOM website, where they can review current admissions information and begin the application process.

  • No. A college degree is not required to apply to Covenant School of Ministry. Prospective students should review the current eligibility requirements published on the Admissions page.

  • Questions about minimum age, educational background, or other entrance requirements are reviewed by the Admissions Department according to the school’s current admissions requirements. Prospective students with a unique circumstance should contact Admissions so their situation can be considered carefully.

  • No. Covenant Church membership is not required. CSOM welcomes students from other churches and locations who desire serious biblical, theological, spiritual, and practical formation.

  • Yes. Once a student’s application is accepted, individual-course enrollment may be available for audit, enrichment, or non-certificate participation.

  • A change of certificate pathway must be reviewed and approved by the CSOM Academic Office in consultation with the appropriate academic leadership. Students should not assume that previously completed courses will automatically apply to another certificate pathway.

  • Students should understand that Covenant School of Ministry is an explicitly Christian, Spirit-filled ministry school whose teaching and formation are rooted in Covenant Church’s doctrine, values, and ministry culture. Any required statements of faith or admissions affirmations are addressed through the official application and admissions process.

  • Yes. Covenant Church expressly affirms the full participation of women in ministry and leadership, including service as pastors and teachers.

  • Yes. CSOM operates within the theological and spiritual culture of Covenant Church, which affirms the present work of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the Spirit’s role in equipping believers for ministry.

EXPLORE ADMISSIONS

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Still Have a Question?

If you don’t see your question answered here, we’d be glad to help. Stay connected with Covenant School of Ministry for additional information, important updates, and next steps as you explore the program.

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