in Washington, DC
to equip persons for Christian ministry and leadership in the church and the world, to advance theological scholarship, and to model a prophetic voice in the public square.
We remain committed to leading in these hybrid and liminal times. Our leadership is sharpened and grown at the intersection of diverse theologies, ideologies, and spiritual practices. At Wesley, whether your call is crystal clear; you are discerning a call that is new to you; you are journeying on a path that is away from a previous career or vocation; or you are in search of community to discern and reflect your call; Wesley is the seminary, the community, and the discernment space you have been searching for.
At Wesley, we aim to live out our mission in equipping ministry leaders for roles in the church, the academy, and the public square. We are growing into our role as a model of prophetic voice, tradition, and practice as we expand our ability to envision an equitable future through the tensions of truth telling and transgressing. Our witness is sharpened by opportunities to live, learn, and love together.
I invite you to consider the ways your seminary journey is a period of discernment, an opportunity to discover spiritual practices that restore you and engage in unapologetic sabbath to sustain you. I invite you to engage in spaces of academic exploration, vocational inspiration, cultural immersion, and spiritual renewal. May you take time to explore the resources on this campus from the Lewis Center to the Luce Center, from Student Council to Community Life, and from Residence Life to Student Care.
I invite you take time to notice and cultivate relationship with those who sojourn alongside you.
I invite you to discover diversity in community on campus, in community, in the Washington Theological Consortium and in Washington, DC. Whether you are a residential student, commuter, hybrid, online and/or non-degree student, you are welcome here.
Standing with you, Evan Taylor, CEI fellow, M.Div expected graduation May ’23
Student Council President 2022-2023
Students from 20 countries bring the richness of their cultures and experiences of Church and society to Wesley’s campus. At the same time, Wesley’s campus stretches around the world, as our professors collaborate with seminaries and missionary churches around the world, teaching on almost every continent. John Wesley said, “the world is my parish” –at Wesley, the world is our classroom.
Our degrees are tailored to fit your vocational goals.
Wesley provides the foundation necessary to commit to your calling, whether you want to train as a pastor or chaplain, teach Sunday school, lead a nonprofit organization, work on Capitol Hill, or develop entrepreneurial management skills.
Engage theologically and practically with faith, ministry and the community.
The Master of Divinity degree will help you fulfill the requirements to become ordained within most mainline Christian denominations.
The Master of Theological Studies has served those who wish to continue in post-graduate education and those hoping to work in the nonprofit and government sectors. We offer Dual Degrees in International Peace & Conflict Resolution and International Development with American University.
Joshua, M.Div ’23 Arunjana, MTS ’23The Master of Arts is our most flexible program. You can shape your degree from start to finish. Explore your theological curiosity or underpin your current vocation.
Our Doctor of Ministry offers you an advanced degree combining practical ministry experiences with academic rigor and spiritual depth for those who already have a Master of Divinity or its equivalent degree from an ATS-accredited seminary.
and Maria, D.Min ‘22
at Wesley Theological Seminary can pursue their education in two paths: in-person or flex.
For students who live on campus or commute within the DC Metro Area and prefer a traditional mode of teaching
Flex:
For students joining us around the country, and anyone who prefers multiple modes of learning including:
• Online (in real time with Zoom sessions and/or on your own time)
• Hybrid (one week in-person per semester with the remainder of the coursework completed online)
• Classroom (traditional, in-person teaching)
• Field (opportunities offered through the Field Education office)
Stephanie, MA ’23 Beth
Wesley Theological Seminary is part of the Washington
Theological Consortium, which allows students to crossregister for classes at any of the 14 seminaries within the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Consortium offers four certificate programs:
• Muslim-Christian Studies
• Criminal Justice & Reconciliation
• Ecology & Theology
• Ecumenism
Wesley also offers five non-degree certificates for students interested in exploring one of the following areas:
• African American Church Studies
• Children & Youth Ministry and Advocacy
• Faith and Public Life
• Heal the Sick
• Theology & the Arts
The Wesley Ministry Innovation Fellowship is a one-year, cohortbased experience that includes community formation, spiritual direction, graduate-level courses, and hands-on experience leading innovation available through summer 2026. Innovators use the Design Thinking process to work with local pastors to solve “sticky problems” related to young adult engagement. The Fellowship culminates with coaching on how to tell the story of the year. Innovators leave with experience coaching congregational innovation and with access to a variety of resources to fuel their own collaboration and consulting endeavors. Each Ministry Innovator earns an $8000 stipend and four graduate academic course credits.
At Wesley, classroom and field learning become one in preparing you for the real practice of ministry. Our students grow from their experiences working with local churches, hospitals and nonprofit agencies. Our location provides the seminary with a presence in the public square, and a home at the crux of poverty and power, theology and politics.
There is a place for you here!
• Association of Black Seminarians
• Plumbline Justice
• Korean Student Association
• Student Council
• Of Sacred Worth
• Gente Latinx
Wesley promotes a global vision of ministry in which we learn alongside fellow Christians in the classroom and around the world. We provide opportunities for students to study abroad through our intercultural immersions or spend a semester abroad in England, Sweden or Germany.
The Center for Public Theology, located next door to the U.S. Supreme Court, gives churches, their clergy and lay leaders, and seminary students tools to help navigate the connection between faith and public policy. Our goal is to improve the tone of national political discourse by fostering a new ethic of civil discourse. We are non-partisan but not disinterested in the great issues of the day.
www.wesleyseminary.edu/ice/programs/public-theology
The Community Engagement Institute is at the forefront of theological education, engaging secular and faith leaders around the meaning and shape of community. The Institute sits at a crossroads of many influences: in a neighborhood where people experiencing homelessness and urban professionals cross paths but seldom engage, among legions of power brokers at the foot of Capitol Hill where elected leaders legislate, where God’s glory is magnified as the church “turns itself inside-out” to become a force in the public square. The Institute also houses Wesley’s Heal the Sick program which seeks to prepare leaders to advance holistic health and well-being of individuals, communities and congregations, especially those who are underserved.
The Community Engagement Institute is a place where participating in the Reign of God requires teaching, learning and practicing social ministry entrepreneurship.
Wesley’s Beegle Archeology Exhibit bridges the ancient and the modern as part of the Henry Luce III Center for Art and Theology.
The Henry Luce III Center for Arts and Religion nurtures and guides students, religious communities, and artists exploring the intersection of the arts and theology. By engaging in innovative research, producing dramatic works, concerts, poetry readings, dance workshops, symposia, and other special events, the Center for the Arts and Religion seeks to promote dialogue between artists and theologians, and to foster inspired creativity in all forms of ministry. www.luceartsandreligion.org
The Innovation Hub focuses on inventing new strategies. Utilizing humancentered design thinking, Hub leaders train church team members to think of themselves as designers. Relying on neighborhood research—including interviews, demographic studies, and self-assessments—Hub curriculum encourages churches to listen to young adults and meet young adults where they are. Ultimately, the goal is for congregations to create collaborative platforms for social transformation based on their own assets and the skills of young adults in and outside their congregations. www.wesleyseminary.edu/wesley-innovation-hub
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership promotes the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Founded on the premise that effective leadership is critical to fruitful ministry, the center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and help develop leadership in others. www.churchleadership.com
A sense of financial well-being enables you to better focus on your preparation for your future ministry. Wesley Theological Seminary is committed to making your education here financially feasible.
Wesley is committed to making seminary education accessible to everyone with a call. The following is an estimate for tuition and expenses for the 2022-2023 school year.
Tuition: • $702 per credit hour for non-degree and degree-seeking students
• $100 per credit hour for Auditing a class
• $100 per CEU for Continuing Education
Fees: • $665 per semester, which includes Library fees, parking permit, and some student activities
• $250 per term for students enrolled in fewer than 4 credit hours
Books and Supplies estimate: $150 per 3-credit course
Wesley is proud to support students with institutional aid. Scholarships are awarded to both full and part-time degree-seeking students. Prospective students should inquire with their local church or denominational offices to learn about additional funding opportunities as there may be designated scholarships for seminarians. Students can work with the Office of Field Education to be placed in a paying ministry position that pays on average $24,000 a year.
Wesley offers students the opportunity to live in one of our on-campus residence halls. In addition to campus housing for single students, there are options for married students, students with children, and those who commute to campus 1-3 days a week. Please see our website for more information about the cost of housing, wesleyseminary.edu/housing.
Housing at Wesley is more than just dorm accommodation — it’s community.
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