Urban Ministry
The Urban Ministry Program curriculum at Wesley centers around
contextual education. Based in downtown Washington, DC and in
partnership with two historic churches through the Partnership at Mount Vernon Square, Wesley's UMP students
learn to engage the poor and the powerful, to meet the needs of diverse
cultures, and to answer their call to dynamic, applied ministry in the
complex social systems of the inner-city. The program functions as a specialization within any of the Master's degree programs. Students should declare their intent to participate in the Urban Ministry Program prior to completing 30 credit hours of their degree program by submitting the form to the Registrar's Office.
Program Design
Core courses: Wesley's Urban Ministry Program allows Master's degree candidates to access supervised study, specialized coursework, and an urban
ministry field placement. All courses are available in evening sections on a consistent basis. Required core coursework includes:
- CM-230 and CM-231 Introduction to Urban Ministry 1 & 2
- ES-251 Sociology of Religion
- PC-111 Pastoral Care and Counseling in Context
Electives: UMP students must complete 9 additional credit hours from the urban ministry curriculum as electives. Some of these elective offerings include:
- CF-230 Christian Education and the Black Religious Experience
- CF-239 Children and Poverty
- ES-234 Sexual Issues in Parish Ministry
- ES-265 Urban Ministry: Church and Community Settings
- ES-270 Urban Ministry Action
Urban Fellows
The Urban Fellows program offers a unique way to experience the urban ministry curriculum at Wesley. Students are admitted to WTS and directly join their entering class Urban Fellows cohort. While completing their core Master's degree requirements and the standard Urban Ministry Program specialization requirements (listed above), the Urban Fellows also participate in a specially designed Fellows colloquy group for three consecutive years (six semesters), participate in research projects in the public theology and urban spheres, and have access to additional resources available through the Partnership at Mount Vernon Square. Click here for more information about the Urban Fellows program at Wesley.
Placement Experience
The
Practice
in Ministry and Mission Office will work with Urban
Ministry students to secure placement in a setting that offers a chance to interact with specific populations of the inner-city or other areas desirous of social justice and theology in the public sphere. All field placement settings include
mentoring, spiritual formation and missional service along with the
classroom learning and peer colloquy experience you will gain at the
Seminary.
Doctoral Work in Urban Ministry
Wesley’s Urban Ministry Doctor of Ministry track is inspired by the vision of a Beloved Community as described by scripture, Josiah Royce, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Doctoral students in this track will be further equipped to minister to and with diverse peoples among challenging social and political systems. Based at Wesley’s downtown presence at 900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, this track includes classes such as Leadership and Practice in the Beloved Community, Speaking to Power, Partners in Urban Transformation, and The Redeemed City in Scripture and Theology.
How do I apply?