African American Church Studies

The African American Church Studies Program (AACS) prepares students to address the issues and challenges of leadership in African American contexts and communities. Exposing students to social, historical, and theological nuances of African American religious culture, the AACS program strives to meet several core objectives:

Provide a historical and theological framework for African American religious life from the 17th century to the present.
Build students’ capacity to exegete and interpret non-traditional texts and other cultural phenomena.
Emphasize the theory and practice of prophetic witness and crisis ministry in the African American context.

Earn your Masters with a Specialization in AACS

In addition to the Masters-level degree requirements, you can obtain a specialization in African American Church Studies by taking a minimum of 14 credit hours of coursework. Two credits will be the below core courses. Twelve credits will come from approved courses associated with AACS.

The core courses of the program are:

The Study of African American Religion (1 credit)
Integrative Seminar in AACS (1 credit)

These courses will book end the student’s degree program with the first course occurring in the semester of declaration of the specialization and the second to be taken in the semester of degree completion.

Current Master's students, please complete the AACS Program Declaration Form found here.

Admissions Information for Specialization

Admissions

Begin the application process here. The AACS specialization is only open to degree students. Non-degree students are not eligible for this concentration. Eligible degree students must declare their intent for participation in the AACS prior to the completion of one-third of their degree. Students should submit a declaration application to the Registrar's Office to declare their intent. Applications must first be approved by the AACS program director(s).

Current masters students, please use the specialization request form in order to discuss the program requirements and to obtain approval from the program director.

Program requirements

Students in the AACS are required to complete a minimum of 14 credit hours of coursework. Two credits will be the below core courses. Twelve credits will come from approved courses associated with the AACS.

The core courses of the program are:

The Study of African American Religion (1 credit)
Integrative Seminar in AACS (1 credit)

Questions? Email Admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or request information here.

Preview the courses

Eligible Courses for African American Church Studies

(include but are not limited to):

African American Biblical Interpretation, 2 credits

African American Spirituality, 2 credits

Dr. C. Anthony Hunt

African American Religious History, 3 credits

Dr. Beverly Mitchell

Hip Hop & The City, 2 credits

Dr. Doug Powe

Preaching and Worship in the Black Tradition, 3 credits

Dr. Veronice Miles

The Black Theology of James Cone, 3 credits

Dr. Josiah Young

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African American Church Studies

Provide a historical and theological framework for African American religious life from the 17th century to the present.

Build students’ capacity to exegete and interpret non-traditional texts and other cultural phenomena.

Emphasize the theory and practice of prophetic witness and crisis ministry in the African American context.