First-Time Students
Your first course,
step by step.
New to the Tennessee School of Ministry? Here's everything you need to register, prepare, and walk into your first class ready to go.
How it works
From sign-up to your first class.
Register & pay
- Set up an account on the Student Portal, then open the Classes link and find the course you're ready to take.
- Pay the $80 registration fee for the course. $60 for high schoolers
- Registration closes at 11:59 pm the Friday before the class date.
- Download your homework, then use the buy-textbook link to get the right book — confirm the edition / ISBN in the course listing (you may buy it anywhere).
Prepare your homework
- Complete the homework before 11:59 pm the Wednesday before class — this is a firm deadline.
- Type your answers into the document you turn in (writing a draft by hand first is fine — just allow the extra time).
- Submit it to the dropbox in your Student Portal. Your graded homework is returned to you when you arrive for class.
Class day
- Online (Zoom) classes and in-person campus classes meet once a month — check your campus schedule for dates and times.
- Come ready to listen, take notes, and ask questions when something's unclear.
- After Saturday instruction you'll take a short test. Grades are 60% test / 40% homework, and about a third of the test comes from classroom teaching — so engage with your instructor.
After class
- Allow about one week for grading and processing, then view your grades in the Student Portal.
- Pursuing credentials? See the credentialing path for the additional steps.
Set yourself up to succeed
Tips for great homework.
Read ahead. Read the assigned chapters as much as you can. Most students are also working or in school, so time is scarce — but last-minute cramming won't serve you well.
Stay in the book. Every question is based on the assigned book — no outside sources needed. But copying answers straight from the text isn't enough.
Think it through. Questions are built to make you think — some want your own words or a summary. Grading rewards your understanding, not your grammar.
Take your time. Homework is ~50 questions and varies in format (a phrase, a sentence, a list, a paragraph). Answer it, then review the next day for errors.
Questions
The basics, answered.
Anyone age sixteen and older who wants to broaden and deepen their understanding of God's Word may attend. TSOM also satisfies the General Council education requirements for those pursuing ministerial credentials.
The Tennessee School of Ministry is a three-level education program designed to affordably and effectively teach and train ministry leaders.
Reading and homework are done on your own time, at your own pace. Classes meet once a month, September through May. Online (Zoom) classes typically run Saturday; in-person campuses meet across a Friday evening and Saturday. See the full schedule by campus and level.
It depends on your campus: Online meets via Zoom, while the West TN, East TN, and Español campuses meet in person. Compare all four campuses to find the right fit.
TSOM is dedicated to providing educational direction, setting an atmosphere for the impartation of the Spirit, and guiding each student's spiritual development to equip them for effective leadership and ministry in the local church.
Ready to begin?
Set up your account, pick your first course, and we'll see you in class.