Registering for Courses at Northwest House of Theological Studies (NHTS)
It is strongly recommended (and considered the norm) that potential students be admitted by one of the accredited schools prior to enrolling for classes in this extension program. However, you may be allowed to begin your studies in this program upon the completion of a short registration form and acceptance by NHTS. This acceptance is provisional and temporary, and it does not constitute admission to a degree or certificate program.
Upon approval of this registration, you may enroll in classes for a period not to exceed one semester. During that time you must complete the admission process at one of the accredited schools. A grade will not be recorded for any course or courses taken during that initial semester unless you have been admitted by one of the accredited schools by the end of that semester. (The school of record cannot create a transcript for a student whom they have not admitted.)
Course Scheduling
The traditional school year for the extension program administered through NHTS consists of two semesters (Fall and Spring), each divided into two terms (I and II). Two 3-semester hour courses are usually offered each term and each term consists of six weekends with classes taught on Friday nights and Saturdays. A recess weekend is scheduled each term, usually between the third and fourth weekends.
In addition, New Testament Greek or Biblical Hebrew and Field Education classes, which run for the entire academic year, are offered when enrollment is sufficient. Scheduling allows for biblical languages and Field Education to be taken concurrently with another course.
New Testament Greek and Biblical Hebrew are offered if and when a sufficient number of students indicate an interest. Similarly, sufficient enrollment to establish a cohort group is required for Field Education.
Intensive courses of one, two, or three semester hours are offered in summer and January terms. Such courses are normally offered within a time frame of two or three weeks. When possible, these courses are scheduled to minimize impact on the workweek, though some weekday class sessions are always necessary given the shorter time frame. Student preferences play a role in determining the daily teaching schedule for the intensive terms.
Information about class schedules, admissions and enrollment can be obtained from the NHTS Registrar (registrar@nhts.org).
You may find the following Q & A helpful:
What is the weekly schedule? Where do I meet?
A communal Friday dinner begins at the House at 6:00 pm, usually in the Micah Building second floor. After the meal we have a few announcements with a brief discussion period of spiritual formation.
Courses taught on Friday evening and Saturday are held on the campus of Willamette University. Classes begin at approximately 7:00pm and conclude at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday morning begins with Chapel and Eucharist at 8:30 a.m., followed by a time of spiritual formation. Classes resume at 9:45 a.m. and proceed until about 3:15 p.m. with an appropriate interval for lunch. Lunch (at the cost of the student) is usually eaten at Goudy Commons on the Willamette campus or at a local restaurant. When offered, Greek is taught from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays during the time classes are in session.
What is the schedule for the Academic Year?
The calendar for the academic year is available by contacting the Northwest House office. This document can be mailed to you via e-mail, USPS or be reviewed on our web site. Keep in mind that the schedule includes one spiritual formation retreat in August which students are expected to attend as part of the spiritual formation program. For new students, the annual “New Student Orientation” is held in August or just prior to dinner on the first weekend of class.
What is the School of Record?
The School of Record is the Northwest Consortium school to which you applied for admission; this school is the admitting, transcripting, and in most cases degree-conferring school.
How do I register for classes?
Communication is a vital part of our graduate program. We are available by e-mail or can be contacted by phone at 503-588-4344 during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) Take some time to study the term dates and make your plans now. (Either the Academic Dean or Director of Spiritual Formation and Church Relations will be available for academic advising. Both can be accessed by phone (503-588-4344), e-mail or are willing to set up an appointment.) There will usually be an e-mail request for registration about 6 weeks to 2 months prior to the scheduled date for the beginning of the class. Once the e-mail request for registration information has been distributed, please reply with your intention to enroll.
How do I pay tuition?
Tuition is due at or before the first class session. Most students bring a check made payable to NHTS the first night of class. NHTS is the custodian of scholarship awards and expenses them on behalf of the student. Tuition may be offset by serving in one of the three “student jobs” which carry with them a small stipend. The cook, custodian, and sacristan positions currently earn tuition discounts. More information is available from the office.
How do I pay for Friday evening meals?
The community divides the estimated cost at the beginning of each term (usually $6-$7 per meal). Unless you indicate otherwise, the six meals will be added to your student account statement.
Where may I park?
If you arrive after 5:00 p.m., many parking spaces behind and to the east side of the church may be available that are reserved during working hours. There are no spaces specifically allotted to NHTS students, so we depend on the kindness of First United Methodist Church, whose needs take precedence. If you need to park at FUMC during business hours, we ask that you come in to the NHTS office and secure a parking permit. During summer intensive sessions, First UMC will guide us on what is available in their lots. There are 10-hour meters available to the South of the Capitol building on State.
How do I buy my books?
Book purchases are the responsibility of the student. The syllabi for courses are distributed typically five weeks in advance of the course start date. The syllabus will include a list of required texts. NHTS does not recommend or have any partnership with one book vendor or another, but recommends that you purchase your books as the needs arise. Often, our students purchase used books through on-line sources. Additionally, if a course-required book is available in multiple copies in our library, a student may check it out for an extended period of time.
Do I have any library privileges in the Salem area?
Yes. NHTS maintains a special relationship with Willamette University and the seminary at Mount Angel. At the beginning of a term, a list is provided to Willamette University noting the students enrolled for that term. Once you visit the library and after the term has begun, you simply must ask for the circulation manager to assist you in receiving your temporary card. For information on using the Mt. Angel Library, contact the Registrar in the NHTS Office. See the library page for more information.
How do I request my transcript?
Courses taken through this extension program are recorded at the end of each semester on a transcript maintained by the student’s School of Record. NHTS maintains no official transcripts. A transcript request must be made directly to the School of Record using whatever form/format that school requires.
What else should I do to get ready?
It is very helpful to assure that your e-mail is capable of opening and reading file attachments so we can reach you instantly with important information. Keep us updated on any changes of address, telephone numbers, e-mail changes or circumstances as they occur.
Please leave us an emergency contact – someone who can get a message to you at any time, and somebody we can call if you require assistance.
Please telephone us if you are unable to attend a class session so that we might notify the instructor.
What happens if I have to drop a course or need an Incomplete for a course?
Life happens! As a student, you may find it necessary to drop a class or request an incomplete for a course you cannot finish. Below are some guidelines to help you if this occurs:
If you find that you need to drop a class, you must do so before the third weekend of the six-weekend course schedule (or before the third day of intensive courses) in order to receive any tuition refund. Please contact the NHTS Registrar, for the necessary Permission to Drop form.
If you need to withdraw from a course after the drop period, please notify your instructor and then obtain the required Petition for Withdrawal in Course. The last date to petition to withdraw from a course is the last day of regularly scheduled classes. Students who do not complete this process and who do not complete the course requirements will receive a grade of F.
Incomplete grades may be granted by submitting a Petition for Incomplete in Course form. The instructor and the NHTS Executive Director/Academic Dean must both approve the request. Incompletes must be satisfied by a date negotiated with the instructor, but may not exceed four weeks following the last day of the course, unless approved in writing by the instructor and the NHTS Executive Director/Academic Dean. Work not completed by the agreed upon date will result in a grade of F.
