Masters Degree Plans

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree will help you fulfill the requirements to become ordained within most mainline Christian denominations.

Wesley’s M.Div. will help you prepare if you are called:

To pastor a church,
Serve as a chaplain, or
Do ministry beyond the local church.

The M.Div. curriculum at Wesley strives toward greater educational excellence in the following areas: Religious Heritage, Cultural Contexts, Ministerial and Public Leadership, & Personal and Spiritual Formation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses am I required to take?

(View the degree plans below)

Within the first 24 credit hours, you need to take:

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (6 credit hours) BI-101 and -102
Introduction to the New Testament (6 credit hours) BI-171 and -172
The Church in History (6 credit hours) CH-101 and -102
Spiritual Formation for the Practice of Ministry (3 credit hours) MM-101 and -102
Foundations of Christian Worship (2 credit hours) PW-101

After the first 24 credit hours:

Systematic Theology (6 credit hours) ST-305 and ST-306
Christian Ethics (3 credit hours) Any 300-level ES course
Practice in Ministry and Mission: Contextual Education (4 credit hours)
Preaching & Worship Distribution Requirement (4 credit hours) Take two 300-level PW courses
Practice in Ministry and Mission: Intercultural Immersion (2 credit hours) MM-350

At any other time during your attendance (check for prerequisites):

- Foundations of Preaching (2 credit hours) PW-125
- Practices of Leadership in Ministry/Church Administration (4 credit hours) Any combination of 100-level and 300-level CM courses
- Pastoral Care and Counseling (3 credit hours) PC-101 or PC-111
- Religion and the Arts (2 credit hours) Any 100-level RA course
- The Church in an Interreligious World (2 credit hours) Various courses as listed in each semester's course schedule
- Consortium Course (2 or 3 credit hours) – You must take at least one course in person, on-site at one of the other member seminaries of the Washington Theological Consortium prior to your last semester. Consortium courses can also be counted towards either a distribution requirement or the Church in the Interreligious World requirement with the approval of departmental faculty.

Philosophy – If you haven’t had an undergraduate philosophy course (graded "B-" or above), you must complete ST-180 Philosophy for Theology, ST-181 Philosophical Backgrounds, or an equivalent before you may register for the Systematic Theology or Christian Ethics requirements.

Will I have time to take elective courses?

Will I have time to take elective courses?

Yes! Any additional credit hours beyond required courses are electives. You may use these to:

Sample a range of curricular offerings.
Concentrate your electives within a certain specialization such as Urban Ministry, Missional Church, Emerging Ministry, or Theology & the Arts.
Satisfy your denomination’s ordination requirements

Before you choose electives, we suggest you:

Peruse our elective options in the catalog.
Request an advisor in a discipline to help guide you, especially if you are considering further graduate study.
Review your ordination requirements.

Specializations & Areas of Study

Opportunities to Specialize

Community Engagement Program enhances students' learning in areas of applied theology and ministry praxis, experiential learning and theological reflection, and their identity as church leaders engaged in transforming the community toward the shape of God's reign. Community Engagement Fellows are expected to declare a specialization in either the Missional Church Program, Urban Ministry Program, or Public Theology.
Student Pastor Program provides appointments in the mid-Atlantic region, campus commuter housing and a carefully shaped class schedule
Certificate in Theology and the Arts gives you theological grounding and arts practice to explore the profound connection between the arts and faith.

Areas of Study

Students have a block of elective hours, 25 credit hours (MDiv) and 30 credit hours (MTS), which they can shape into another area of study with the guidance of your academic advisor.

Possible areas of study include but are not limited to:
-Pastoral Counseling or Chaplaincy
-Biblical Studies
-Preaching & Worship
-Religious Freedom

UMC Denominational Requirements

If I am a United Methodist student who wants to be ordained, are there any special classes I need to take?

If you plan to be ordained as an elder or deacon, The United Methodist Church requires you to take the following courses:

History and Doctrine in Methodist Traditions (4 credit hours) ST-463 and -464
Polity of the United Methodist Church (2 credit hours) CM-251
Evangelism (2 or 3 credit hours) CM-270 or other courses as offered

For more information regarding United Methodist ordination requirements, click here , check out our academic catalog , or call your UMC conference registrar.

3 year Full-time Degree Plan

4 Year Full-Time Degree Plan

5 Year Part-time Degree Plan

Student Pastor

2020-2021 Suggested Four Year Full-Time Student Pastor Plan
Master of Divinity Degree Program (81 credits)

(Download the PDF here)

The Student Pastor Program is an option within the M.Div. program that integrates student pastorates into the educational design of the regular M.Div. curriculum. This program maximizes the opportunity to relate academic studies to the practice of ministry.

Admission Criteria

This program maximizes the opportunity to relate academic studies to the practice of ministry. Student pastors are usually appointed by United
Methodist Conferences to serve as sole pastor to one or more teaching congregations, though this program is also open to non-UMC students under similar circumstances. Additionally,some limited opportunities to serve as an assistant pastor in large-member churches are available and offer a full range of pastoral duties.

Qualified students typically enter the Student Pastor Program at the time of their admission to the M.Div. program at Wesley. Students who become appointed student pastors later in their seminary career are normally not eligible for this program. Pastor appointments most often are certified United Methodist candidates for ordained ministry and have completed License to Preach school by the beginning of the July 1 appointment. Staff positions in the local church which encompass a full slate of pastoral responsibilities or non-United Methodist pastoral candidates may also qualify.

Please see the Admissions section of the catalog for more details regarding admission criteria for the Student Pastor Program. Or email admissions@wesleyseminary.edu for more information.

Master of Theological Studies

The Master of Theological Studies at Wesley will help you:

Do focused academic study.
Prepare you for further graduate studies.
Enter the dual-degree options with American University's programs in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and International Development.

Our 60-hour Master of Theological Studies (MTS) moves general theological understanding to a self-designed focus that prepares you to reflect faithfully. The MTS degree requires 60 credit hours and a thesis project, which can be completed in two years of full-time study.

The MTS provides:

a strong theological understanding that equips you to participate more effectively in the mission of the church.
multi-disciplinary education, especially if you are entering or engaged in other professions and wish to pursue your work from the enlarged perspective of a religious community.
background in the theological disciplines as a foundation for further graduate study
a structure for meeting certification requirements for various types of lay ministry

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to finish the M.T.S.?

Most students can finish in a minimum of:

2 years of full-time study or
Within 6 years from the date of admission.

How many credit hours and what courses must I take?

You need to complete 60 hours of course work, including courses in the following areas:

Biblical Interpretation (BI)
Church History (CH)
Systematic Theology (ST)
Possible course work in Ethics (ES), Pastoral Care (PC), and World Religions/Ecumenics (WR)
Completion of an M.T.S. thesis.

What if I want to earn another degree along with the M.T.S?

Completing the M.T.S. in conjunction with the M.Div. degree requires you to:

Take a minimum of 111 semester hours and
Complete both degree program requirements.

What courses am I required to take?

See the catalog for a full description.

Introduction to Hebrew Bible (6 hours) BI-101 and -102
Introduction to the New Testament (6 hours) BI-171 and -172
The Church in History (6 hours) CH-101 and -102
Systematic Theology (6 hours) ST-305 and -306
Religion and Society (4+ hours) Religion and Society courses must include 2 courses in at least 2 of the following areas:
- Ethics
- Sociology of Religion
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- World Religions/Ecumenics
M.T.S. Thesis (IS-501)

Will I have time to take elective courses?

Yes! Any additional credit hours beyond M.T.S. requirements are electives. You may use these to:

Sample a range of curricular offerings.
Concentrate your electives within a certain field of study.

Before you choose electives, we suggest you:

Peruse our elective options in the catalog.
Meet with your academic advisor, the director of the Master of Theological Studies program.

Is the M.T.S. paper something I can start at any time?

The M.T.S. paper:

Is a final paper requiring in-depth research in a particular discipline.
In some cases it may involve creating a substantial artistic product (play, poem cycle, etc.) and writing an accompanying theological reflection.

What is the process for completing it?

Work with the M.T.S. director to identify an appropriate advisor/reader for your topic in the Spring before your final year.
Enroll in Course IS-501 in the Fall or Spring of your final year.
Submit a proposal with your reader's signature to the M.T.S. director by October 15th of your final year.
Consult MTS paper proposal guidelines for additional information.

Link to MTS Paper Proposal Form

MTS Proposal Form

Link to MTS Paper Proposal Guidelines

MTS Guidelines Supplement

2 Year Full-time Degree Plan

3 Year Full-time Degree Plan

Dual AU Degree Options

In cooperation with American University’s School of International Service (SIS), Wesley offers the Master of Theological Studies degree in conjunction with a Master of Arts in International Development or Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The program’s cooperation allows students to complete two degrees (worth about 100 required credits taken separately) in just 75 credit hours, or as little as two and one-half years.

Courses from each institution are required, and electives allow students to specialize or broaden their studies.

Learn more about our dual degree programs:

MTS/MA in International Development

MTS/MA in Peace and Conflict Resolution

Combined Degrees that Change the World

Wesley has partnered with American University's School of International Service to offer these innovative and high-impact dual degree options.

MTS/MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution - Requires 72 hours of coursework

MTS/MA in International Development - Requires 75 hours of coursework

Visit the AU Dual Degree page for more information about American University's programs.

Chip Aldridge leading a tour of prospective students at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC

Master of Arts

Wesley's Master of Arts program provides a strong theological foundation and a deeper understanding of your faith. It fits many academic needs, whether you are pursuing ministry as part of your vocation or for personal growth.

The M.A. is the optimal degree for you if you are seeking:

a theological degree for a denomination that does not require a Master of Divinity degree
to fulfill basic graduate theological studies requirements for deacon ordination in The United Methodist Church
to deepen your faith and strengthen your theological foundation
a degree with a flexible curriculum
Curious and want to understand your faith more deeply

Student's in the 36-hour MA program self-design a degree plan in consultation with an adviser for specialized studies. See the sample customized degree plans to explore available options.

This 36-hour degree can be completed within one year with full-time study.

Course Requirements

The Master of Arts degree is self-designed to your theological focus. You will complete 36 credit hours of course work in the regular curriculum.

Students are required to participate in the M.A. Integrative Seminar (IS-100) with the M.A. advisor during their final semester prior to graduation. Only one course (IS-100) is required. IS-100 includes a final project.

The only other coursework limitation is when courses require prerequisites.

Sample Customized Degree Plans

Curricular Design Options

The faculty advisor is available to help guide you through the process of designing your M.A. degree.

Additionally, below are suggested outlines to help you design a flexible curriculum within the 36 credit hours.

These are suggested templates; these are not lists of required courses.

The degree plans below do not count as specializations or certificate programs unless specifically labeled as such.

UMC Denominational Requirements

Interested in customizing your MA towards UMC Deacon ordination?

To be ordained as a deacon in The United Methodist Church, you must take the courses listed below.
- These are church requirements for ordination and not a seminary requirement.
- These can be taken as electives or at some point apart from the degree work.

Required courses for denominational (UMC) ordination:

History and Doctrine in Methodist Traditions (4 credit hours) ST-460 and -461, ST-462, or ST-463 and -464
Polity of the United Methodist Church (2 credit hours) CM-251
Evangelism (2 or 3 credit hours) CM-270 or other courses as offered

Learn About Life as a Full-time Wesley Student

Our Window on Wesley days and Welcome Table evenings are designed to give you a window into the Wesley community. Attend chapel, sit in on a class, talk with students, and gather admissions and financial aid information. Learn more and register.

We’d love to help you find the learning or visit opportunity that’s right for you. Contact the admissions office at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659.

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