Apply
Click the button below to begin the application and use the steps below as a guide.
Applications open September 1 for students applying for the upcoming fall and spring terms.
If you have any technical difficulties with the online application, please contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
Please note: If you have started an online application and encounter issues, please do not create another online application. Instead, please contact us as soon as possible at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu with details regarding your technical issue.
Applications open September 1 for students applying for the upcoming fall and spring terms.
Wesley has rolling admissions, with the following priority application deadlines:
MASTERS
Fall Semester
December 1: Early admission
February 1: Merit-based financial aid, Community Engagement Fellows, and Student Pastor consideration
March 1: International Applicants
July 15: Final deadline for all master’s degree applicants
Spring Semester
November 1: Priority Scholarship Deadline
December 15: Final deadline for all master's degree applicants
NON-DEGREE For students seeking to take a master’s level course or set of courses without pursuing a full master’s degree
Fall Semester
August 15: Non-degree applicants
Spring Semester
November 30: National Capital Semester for Seminarians
January 15: Non-degree applicants
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
Only 20 spaces available. Apply early!
October 15: Winter tracks
February 15: Spring tracks (includes Church Leadership Excellence)
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.*
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Prepare your:
a. Personal Statement (400-500 words) describing:
-
- The formative elements in your background, focusing on the most significant people and events that have shaped your faith and identity as a person
- Your sense of your vocational call and your professional objective
- Your reasons for wanting to pursue theological education at Wesley
Note: you must upload your personal statement as a Word document.
b. Resume. You need to upload this in the online application.
c. Recommendations. Applicants enter the contact information of their references during the application process. Recommenders are then sent an email with a link to the recommendation.
Master's applicants will need the following recommenders:
-
- Pastor/Clergy
- Professor/Employer
- Layperson
Recommenders should not be a relative and should be able to attest to the experience of the applicant.
3. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
4. Create your account to begin your application.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
5. Dream about your upcoming classes!
Note: As a degree-seeking student, you may take nine or more credit hours as a full-time student, or 5-8 credit hours as a part-time student.
*If you do not have a bachelor's degree and would like to apply to be a master's degree student, you may find additional requirements here.
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.*
International students must present evidence of academic preparation equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree and of such quality as to indicate an ability to complete graduate studies. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Wesley Admissions Office from the college or university where you studied. If the transcripts are from an institution outside the U.S., you must send copies of transcripts, along with the appropriate fees, to World Education Services for evaluation. Details of this process are at www.wes.org. This evaluation is your responsibility and must be completed before the file can be reviewed. Please check with Admissions for more details.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at jparks@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Submit your English language proficiency scores:
All international students who do not have English as their first language must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
The minimum scores required for admission are:
TOEFL Scores
550 on Written TOEFL
213 on the Computer Based TOEFL
80 on the Internet Based TOEFL
TOEFL- www.toefl.org. The institutional code is 5899.
IELTS Scores
We also accept the IELTS exam. Students who take the IELTS need a score of 6.5 for admissions. For more information on IELTS testing see www.ielts.org.
Duolingo Scores
Minimum score: 110
The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Wesley Theological Seminary when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.
Duolingo English Test - englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants.
Note: Students who have earned previous academic degrees from U.S. regionally accredited colleges and universities can request to be waived from the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo requirement. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
3. Prepare your:
a. Personal Statement (400-500 words) describing:
-
- The formative elements in your background, focusing on the most significant people and events that have shaped your faith and identity as a person
- Your sense of your vocational call and your professional objective
- Your reasons for wanting to pursue theological education at Wesley
Note: you must upload your personal statement as a Word document.
b. Resume. You need to upload this in the online application.
c. Recommendations. Applicants enter the contact information of their references during the application process. Recommenders are then sent an email with a link to the recommendation.
Master's applicants will need the following recommenders:
-
- Pastor/Clergy
- Professor/Employer
- Layperson
Recommenders should not be a relative and should be able to attest to the experience of the applicant.
4. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
5. Create your account to begin your application.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
6. Dream about your upcoming classes!
Note: As a degree-seeking student, you may take nine or more credit hours as a full-time student, or 5-8 credit hours as a part-time student.
Non-degree Application and Registration
Try a masters-level class (credit, audit, or CEUs) while still discerning
1. Order your official transcripts from your previous undergraduate and graduate schools. Individuals who are auditing a course may send unofficial transcripts:
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: JaNice Parks
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Click here to complete the non-degree application & registration form.
If you need assistance with this form, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
Note: If you are a graduate of Wesley, we will obtain your Wesley transcript.
2. Prepare your:
a. 3 Essays. (Must be a Word or PDF document.) Each essay should be 500-800 words, 12 point font, and double-spaced:
Essay 1: A biographical statement setting forth in sequence your career in ministry
Essay 2: A personal evaluation of your professional competence (strengths and needs)
Essay 3: What interests you about this Doctor of Ministry track? How do you anticipate using what you learn in your ministry context?
b. Resume. You will need to upload this in the online application.
c. Recommendations. These will be sent electronically to each recommender via an email from Wesley Admissions through the online application system.
You will need the following five recommendations:
- Pastor/Clergy
- Denominational Administrator
- College/Seminary Professor (two needed)
- Layperson
3. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
4. Create your account to begin your application.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
Did a current student refer you to Wesley? Applicants must indicate the name of the current Doctor of Ministry student who referred them to Wesley. Under the drop-down menu under Demographics titled “How did you hear about Wesley?” select Current Wesley Student and enter the student’s first and last name.
Non-degree applications should be submitted for the following categories:
- UM Studies for Current Students at Partnership Schools:
- Eastern Mennonite Theological Seminary
- Moravian Theological Seminary
- Pfeiffer University
- Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
- Princeton Theological Seminary
- Union Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Note: Recommendations are not required for non-degree applications.
1. UMC & Partnership school applicants need to have a letter of good standing from your registrar or official transcript emailed to JaNice Parks at jparks@wesleyseminary.edu.
2. Complete the Try-A-Class form. Click here to begin the Try-A-Class application & registration form. Please be sure to indicate which Partner School you currently attend.
If you need assistance with the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
If you are a licensed Local Pastor, the Course of Study (COS) program is for you.
Classes are designed to provide flexible study opportunities.
1. Download and print the application from the Course of Study page.
2. Obtain signatures from your district superintendent and conference registrar.
3. Prepare a check or money order for $75 per course.
4. Send your completed application and registration fees to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Dr. Doug Tzan, Director of Course of Study Programs
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
Questions about COS may be directed to: cosregistration@wesleyseminary.edu.
- Participating school applicants need to have a letter of good standing from your registrar, Dean, or Ethics faculty (or designated faculty representative).
- Current Wesley students may sign up for NCES in the Registrar’s office
- Click here to complete your application. Questions? Email admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
If you need assistance with your application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@welseyseminary.edu.
Note to Applicants
You should submit the application no later than December 15th.
For more information, visit: https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/nces/
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Prepare your:
a. Personal Statement. This is an essay of 400-500 words describing:
- The formative elements in your background, focusing on the most significant people and events that have shaped your faith and identity as a person
- Your sense of your vocational call and your professional objective
- Your reasons for wanting to pursue theological education at Wesley
Note: you must upload your personal statement as a Word document.
b. Resume. You will need to upload this in the online application.
c. Recommendations. These can be sent electronically via the online application. If that is not possible, download the form.
3. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
4. Create your account to begin your application.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
5. Send a transcript evaluation request to JaNice Parks at jparks@wesleyseminary.edu.
New students* can enroll in 100-200 level courses, *300-level courses have a minimum requirement of BI-101 AND BI-172 (unless otherwise noted in MyWesley, Self-Service).
The current semester course brochure (ex. "Fall Course Brochure") detailing the courses open to entering students can be found here.
*Consult the current course catalog to view your degree plan and requirements.
To be admitted as a non-degree student, you must be a graduate of a regionally accredited college and must submit a completed application form. Additionally, you must send an official transcript directly from the undergraduate college or university to the Wesley office of admissions. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial assistance or campus housing.
Non-degree applications should be submitted for the following categories:
- Academic credit for those not pursuing a degree
- To take a course(s) to fulfill a graduate theological requirement
Note: Recommendations are not required for non-degree applications.
Non-degree Application: Academic Credit
- Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
- Prepare your resume, which you need to upload in the online application.
- Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
- Create your account to begin your application. Select "non-degree" from the menu list.
Non-degree students may apply for entry to the M.Div., M.A., or M.T.S. degree programs by completing the respective full application process. If recommended by the Admissions Committee for entry, you may apply a maximum of nine hours credit from your non-degree student period toward the degree. Some degree applicants may be admitted into the non-degree student status because of an incomplete application for degree status.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) :
Many professional church staff and clergy are required to obtain CEUs on an ongoing basis throughout their career. The same courses that are available for audit may also be taken for CEUs. For UMC staff and clergy fulfilling requirements, explore the guidelines for continuing education here.
Please note: Courses taken for CEUs will not earn graduate-level credit and cannot be applied toward a Master's degree at Wesley.
Tuition:
$100 per CEUƗ
Ordained clergy, diaconal ministers, or full-time lay denominational employees may enroll in regular semester courses and receive Continuing Education Units.
Ɨ For billing purposes, one semester hour equals 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
How to Apply:
Apply and register as a "New Continuing Education student" with this form: Click here
Returning Continuing Education students, please use WesleyWeb to login and register: https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/my-wesley/.
Questions? Email admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
You may take any masters-level course for continuing education units:
- If you have already completed a masters-level theological degree.
- And if you are a:
- church leader,
- member of the clergy, or
- employee of a church or affiliated organization.
Note: You will receive a certificate indicating the course you attended and the assignment you completed. CEUs will not be shown on your Wesley academic transcript.
Non-degree Application: Certificate in Christian Studies
The non-degree Certificate in Christian Studies provides focused education for personal theological enrichment. The Certificate in Christian Studies Program has a rolling admissions/registration process.
Note: Courses in the Certificate Program will not earn graduate-level credit and cannot be transferred to a Wesley degree program. Recommendations are not required for non-degree applications.
- Order your official transcript (if applicable)
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
- Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
- Create your account to begin your application. Select "non-degree" from the menu list, then "Certificate of Christian Studies".
Click here to learn more. If you need assistance contact Yasika Bigham, Managing Director (202) 885-8607
Learn about the intersection of religion and public engagement.
Earn a certificate in faith and public life.
Wesley Theological Seminary serves current and future Christian leaders. Our students are aspiring professionals and young people yearning for a voice in the public square – to be a public witness.
Join us and gain a strong foundation for a life of service, advocacy and meaning by better understanding the role of religion in public discourse.
Thought-provoking, Important Coursework
The courses you will take at Wesley will explore traditional and contemporary Christian ideas about God, humanity, and the world with an emphasis on public policy and politics. Examine the relationship between the Christian community and the pluralistic, complex world it inhabits.
The classes will familiarize you with the sources and debates Christians draw on in order to form their public witness. You will better understand the landscape of Christian political action and how that action draws on the deep resources of Christian traditions. And you will learn about the diverse forms of communal witness Christians are engaged in around the U.S.
Complete your certificate in just a year.
Non-Degree Certificate Requirements:
-
- Paradigms and Practices of Public Theology (3 credits)
- Foundations for Public Theology (3 credits)
- Elective (2 or 3 credits)
- Elective (2 or 3 credits)
- Public Theology Capstone (3 credits)
Note: Recommendations are not required for non-degree applications.
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Prepare your resume, which you need to upload in the online application.
3. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
4. Create your account to begin your application. Select "non-degree" from the menu list.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
Apply for the Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy Certificate
- a graduate certificate program that can be completed in 12-15 months
- offered for Master level credit, so these credits may be applied to a future graduate degree
- fully online with two, one-week intensives
- well suited for both lay people or those seeking deacon ordination in the UMC
- available to degree and non-degree students
- non-residential, so available to those already working in this area of advocacy work or ministry wherever you are based
Certificate requirements:
- 6 courses (including two electives and a capstone project)
- field experience in child advocacy
- opportunities such as participation in the well-known Children’s Defense Fund Samuel D. Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry summer course
- Explore the course schedule here
Note: Recommendations are not required for non-degree applications.
1. Order your official transcripts from all your previous undergraduate and graduate schools.
- Send e-transcripts to JaNice Parks at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
- Send paper transcripts to:
Wesley Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
Attn: Transcripts
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
2. Prepare your resume, which you need to upload in the online application.
3. Get your credit or debit card ready to pay the $60 application fee.
4. Create your account to begin your application. Select "non-degree" from the menu list.
If you need assistance with your username or password for the application, contact the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu.
