Accreditation

At Wesley Theological Seminary, we understand that pursuing your call to ministry is both a profound commitment and a financial investment. That’s why we offer a comprehensive financial aid program designed to support you every step of the way.

Our financial assistance options include:

• Scholarships
• Need-based grants
• Federal Work-Study (on- and off-campus positions)
• Wesley Work-ship placements
• Church-based internships and ministry placements throughout the metro DC area

We are committed to making theological education accessible and affordable for all who are called.

For details about eligibility, application procedures, required forms, and important loan disclosures for student borrowers, visit our full Financial Assistance page.

Need help? Contact our Financial Aid Office at financialaid@wesleyseminary.edu

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
FERPA is a federal law enacted to protect the privacy of students’ education records by requiring us to treat records in a legally specified manner. It applies to all institutions that receive funds under any Department of Education program and is enforced by the Family Policy Compliance Office, DOE. Under FERPA, students have the following rights:

• To inspect and review education records
• To challenge the accuracy of the records
• To request amendment to the records
• To prevent unauthorized disclosure of records
• To waive these rights in writing
• To file a complaint with the US DoE about a FERPA violation
• To be informed about education records

FERPA Update, 2012: As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expanded the circumstances under which student education records and personally identifiable information contained in such records including Social Security Numbers, grades, or other private information may be accessed without student consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (Federal and State Authorities, including District of Columbia Authorities) may allow access to student records and personally identifiable information without student consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program.

The evaluation may relate to any program that is principally engaged in the provision of education, such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to student education records and personally identifiable information without student consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when the educational institution (i.e. Wesley Theological Seminary) objects to or does not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive student personally identifiable information, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without student consent personally identifiable information from student education records, and they may track student participation in education and other programs by linking such personally identifiable information to other personal information about students that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.

For more comprehensive information regarding these rights and the handling of FERPA regulations at Wesley DC, please see the student handbook and catalog.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Policy

Wesley Theological Seminary is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and drug-free environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The use, manufacture, possession, transfer, dispensing, distribution, or sale of illicit drugs and alcohol on campus is strictly prohibited.

Standards of Conduct and Sanctions

In keeping with our respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, our commitment to one another, and compliance with U.S. law, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs, including prescription or controlled substances used non-medically, is forbidden. Likewise, the unlawful or abusive use, possession, or distribution of alcohol on campus is prohibited.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including mandatory participation in a rehabilitation program. Failure to comply with rehabilitation requirements can lead to dismissal, termination, or legal prosecution. Students or employees who attend class or work impaired, or become impaired while on campus, will also face disciplinary consequences.

Recognizing substance abuse as a complex health issue, the seminary provides information on related health risks in the student handbook.

This policy is reviewed annually and communicated to all students and employees. As a condition of enrollment and employment, all members of the Wesley DC community are expected to adhere to this policy and report any violations to the Associate Dean for Community Life.

Students with Disabilities

Wesley Theological Seminary is dedicated to ensuring equal access to educational programs for all qualified students with learning, physical, medical, or psychological disabilities. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the DC Human Rights Act, the seminary provides reasonable accommodations to support full participation in all seminary programs.

Students who require accommodations are encouraged to self-identify to the Associate Dean for Community Life upon admission. To initiate accommodations, students should submit current documentation from a qualified professional. This documentation is reviewed by a specialist consultant to determine appropriate accommodations.

Our campus is fully accessible: all buildings have elevators or wheelchair lifts, including mechanical doors where needed. Accessible housing is available on the first floor of Straughn Dormitory, and designated handicapped parking spaces are provided.

For students who are blind or visually impaired, Braille signage is installed outside classrooms and restrooms. We also provide audio book versions of texts and convert materials to electronic formats compatible with screen-reading software.

Students with hearing impairments benefit from hearing assistance devices in the chapel and classroom accommodations, including sign language interpreters.

Safeguarding Customer Information

Wesley Theological Seminary is committed to protecting customer information using industry-standard security platforms and advanced networking techniques designed to prevent unauthorized access.

To maintain a robust information security system, we separate staff and student networks, ensuring that non-contracted Wesley DC staff cannot access sensitive data. Additionally, all backed-up data is encrypted before being transferred to our secure off-site storage.

Our IT manager works closely with office managers to grant staff the necessary access—no more, no less—while regularly updating security measures to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of customer information. These measures help protect against potential threats, unauthorized use, and any harm or inconvenience to our customers.

Access to client data is strictly limited. Physical and software-based security systems track who controls and accesses data at all times. All software maintenance is performed in-house to minimize risk, and any physical network work is handled by licensed, bonded contractors under strict confidentiality agreements.

We undergo annual audits to ensure our security practices meet the highest standards, promptly addressing any issues flagged to maintain the integrity of our data and protect customer information.

Annual Security Report / Clery Act

At Wesley Theological Seminary, the safety and well-being of our community are top priorities. While Wesley DC experiences relatively few crimes, maintaining a secure environment requires everyone’s active participation. We encourage all community members to use this report as a resource for practicing safety both on and off campus.

This report is prepared annually by the Office of Community Life in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.

The Office of Community Life depends on community members to promptly report any criminal activity they witness or experience. Reports can be made directly to the Office of Community Life or to any campus official, including directors, deans, department heads, resident managers, student advisors, and administrators. Information from the Metropolitan Police Department is also incorporated to provide a complete picture.

Inside this report, you’ll find important information on campus safety and security, including fire safety protocols, crime reporting policies, and detailed crime statistics from the past three calendar years. These statistics cover crimes reported on campus, at Wesley DC-owned or controlled off-campus properties, and on public areas adjacent to the campus.

The Annual Security Report is published on Wesley DC’s website by October 1 each year. We notify all students, faculty, and staff via email and campus postings when the report becomes available.

Current and prospective students, faculty, and staff may request a printed copy by calling 202-885-8612, visiting the Office of Community Life on campus, or writing to:

Annual Security Report Request
Office of Community Life
Wesley Theological Seminary
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016

For fire safety information related to student housing, please refer to the Community Life section.

Miscellaneous

Voter Registration: For information on absentee voting, click here.

Vaccinations: All students 26 years of age and younger must provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, polio, rubella and tetanus. This is a District of Columbia requirement. Disclosure forms are available in the Office of Community Life.