In cooperation with The American University's School of International Service (SIS), Wesley offers the M.T.S. degree in conjunction with the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution or the M.A. in International Development. Though other universities offer master's programs in peace and justice studies, these dual degree programs uniquely combine graduate theological education with the theoretical and practical study of international peace and conflict resolution or international development.
SIS is the largest school of international relations in the United States. It offers a rigorous, multi-disciplinary program recognized worldwide for preparing students for participation in international affairs. One-quarter of the 800 SIS master's candidates are from outside the United States.
Faculty from both institutions collaborated to design these dual degrees, realizing that tomorrow's church leaders, to be effective at the national and international level, need grounding in theory. These programs enable participants to gain the theological foundation and socio-political understanding necessary to provide ministries of reconciliation, unity, and justice in a troubled world.
M.T.S. in Conjunction with M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (72 hours)
General Requirements and Length of Program
Taken separately, the M.T.S. at Wesley requires 60 hours for completion and the M.A. at American University requires 39 hours for completion. The dual degree requires a total of 72 hours because each program recognizes courses from the other. Wesley will accept 18 hours (15 hours of coursework and 3 hours for paper) from American University for a total of 42 hours. American University will accept 9 hours from Wesley for a total of 30 hours. The course work requires an average of 6 to 8 semesters to complete. Students able to dedicate full-time to their studies, including summer, could complete the program in two and one half to three years.
Requirements for Dual Degree
Master of Theological Studies Requirements
• Introduction to Hebrew Bible (4 hours) BI-101 and -102 or
BI-175
• Introduction to the New Testament (4 hours) BI-171 and
-172 or BI-175
• The Church in History (6 hours) CH-101 and -102
• Systematic Theology (6 hours) ST-305 and -306
• Religion and Society (6 hours) Religion and Society courses must include at least two of the following areas: Ethics, Sociology of Religion, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Anthropology of Religion, World Religions. Only three hours in any one of these areas will count toward the degree requirement.
Total required hours 26
Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution Requirements
• Peace Paradigms (3 hours)
• Theory of Violence, Conflict, and War (3 hours)
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3 hours)
• Culture, Peace and Conflict
(3 hours)
• Ethics in International Affairs
(3 hours)
• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (3 hours)
• Methodology or research course (3 hours)
• Introduction to Economic Theory (3 hours)
• Research/Paper (6 hours)
Total required hours 30
Total required hours for M.T.S. and M.A. 56
Electives (either W.T.S. or A.U.) 16
Total Hours for Dual Degree 72
M.T.S. in Conjunction with M.A. in International Development (75 hours)
General Requirements and Length of Program
Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits for the M.A. degree at the School of International Service and a minimum of 42 credits for the M.T.S. degree at Wesley Theological Seminary-for a total of 75 hours-to successfully earn both degrees. The coursework requires an average of 6 to 8 semesters to complete. Student able to dedicate full-time to their studies, including summer could complete the program in two and a half to three years. Part-time students may take up to five or six years to complete the program.
Requirements for Dual Degree
Master of Theological Studies Requirements
• Introduction to Hebrew Bible (4 hours) BI-101 and -102 or
BI-175
• Introduction to the New Testament (4 hours) BI-171 and
-172 or BI-175
• The Church in History (6 hours) CH-101 and -102
• Systematic Theology (6 hours) ST-305 and -306
• Religion and Society (6 hours) Religion and Society courses must include at least two of the following areas: Ethics, Sociology of Religion, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Anthropology of Religion, World Religions. Only three hours in any one of these areas will count toward the degree requirement.
Total required hours 26
Master of Arts in International Development Requirements
• Introduction to Economic Theory (3 hours) may be waived
• Micropolitics of Development (3 hours)
• International Development (3 hours)
• Survey of Economic Development (3 hours)
• One MAID core course (3 hours)
• Quantitative Analysis (3 hours)
• One approved methods course (3 hours)
• Concentration courses (6 hours)
• Internship (3 hours)
• Substantial Research Paper in conjunction with M.T.S. Paper (3 hours)
Total required hours 30
Total required hours for M.T.S. and M.A. 56
Electives (either W.T.S. or A.U.) 19
Total Hours for Dual Degree 75
Admission Requirements
Those who wish to apply for a dual degree must be admitted separately to each program.
To be considered for the Master of Theological Studies at Wesley, the student should submit an application, a statement of purpose, academic transcripts, references, and an application fee.
To be considered for the Master of Arts at the American University, the student should submit an application, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and an application fee to:
Office of Admissions
American University
400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 885-6000
Fax (202) 885-1025
