NATIONAL CAPITAL EXPERIENCES FOR SEMINARIANS
Wesley offers two types of National Capital Experiences for Seminarians (NCES) a Spring semester online class and a summer May in-person intensive.
For 2023 we are only offering the Spring 2023 NCES session.
The application deadline is January 6, 2023.
Spring 2023 Semester
“Faith, Politics, and the Public Square” will be a spring semester virtual (online via Zoom) course on Mondays from 1:00 PM-5:30 PM EST. Combines conversation with public officials, political figures, advocates, and activists, and theological reflection on the issues and structures of public life, such as public discourse, social identity, the uses of power and violence, and the witness of churches.
EP-282-VT Faith, Politics & Public Square taught by Professor Lucila Crena (4 credit hours), January 23-May 1, 2023, Mondays 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
May 2023 Intensive
“Advocacy and Action in the Public Square” is a one-week May-term immersion in Washington, DC. The in-person class allows students to reflect theologically and develop practical strategies for faithfully engaging in the public square. Students will visit and engage with policy experts, public servants, faith-based advocacy groups, community activists, pastors, and media representatives.
2 credit hours, taught by Dr. Lorena Parrish, May 20-24, 2024.
Students have the option of doing an independent study for an additional credit.
*Seminarians at accredited institutions are invited to cross-register for one or both courses and are eligible to also enroll in additional Wesley courses during the selected term(s).
For more information, contact our Admissions offices by email at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or 202-885-8659.
Eligibility and Tuition
NCES is open to any student who has completed at least one year of a degree program from an accredited seminary and is in good standing.
Students from participating institutions are charged for tuition at their home institution's regular tuition rate and pay these charges through their home seminary. If you are uncertain if your school is a participating institution, see the list below, or if you would like to find out how it can join, please reach out to Admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
Other NCES students pay tuition directly to Wesley Theological Seminary at Wesley's regular tuition rate noted on the application form.
NCES students have served in internships in the past at a variety of locations, including:
Bread for the World • Sojourners • White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships • UMC General Board of Church & Society • Friends Committee for National Legislation • Churches for Middle East Peace • PC-USA Office of Public Witness
Our staff and faculty may be able to help students connect with potential placements through the NCES network of institutional partnerships that align with their interests and skills.
Participating Institutions
In addition to institutions of the Washington Theological Consortium, the seminaries in the following listing have become Participating Institutions in NCES with designated faculty representatives:
Asbury Theological Seminary • Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries • Bangor Theological Seminary • Boston University School of Theology • Candler School of Theology, Emory University • Catholic Theological Union (Chicago) • Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis) • Columbia Theological Seminary (Georgia) • Drew University Theological School • Duke University Divinity School • Earlham School of Religion • Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary • Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary • Harvard University Divinity School • Iliff School of Theology • Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta) • Lancaster Theological Seminary • Lexington Theological Seminary • Meadville/Lombard Theological School • Methodist Theological School in Ohio • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • New Brunswick Theological Seminary • Northern Baptist Theological Seminary • North Park Theological Seminary • Pacific School of Religion • Palmer Theological Seminary • Perkins School of Theology • Pittsburgh Theological Seminary • Princeton Theological Seminary • School of Theology at Claremont (California) • Southern Methodist University • Union Theological Seminary (New York) • United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio) • United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities • University of Dubuque Theological Seminary • Vanderbilt University Divinity School
