Degree Certificate Programs
Focused. Flexible. Faithful.
Wesley Theological Seminary offers a range of graduate-level Certificate Programs designed for those seeking to deepen their theological knowledge and strengthen ministry skills. All Master’s certificates require 12-15 credit hours, including a final project or thesis.
Whether you’re a lay leader, clergy member, or curious seeker, our certificates provide a flexible pathway to grow in faith and vocation.
Read below for certificate descriptions, and contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659 for more information.
Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy
Equip. Empower. Advocate.
Do you have a heart for children and youth? Are you called to ministry with young people—or passionate about shaping systems that support their flourishing?
The Certificate in Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy at Wesley Theological Seminary prepares leaders to serve, support, and stand with young people—both in the church and in the public square. Whether you’re leading a youth group, working in a nonprofit, or championing policy change, this program offers the theological grounding and practical tools you need to make a lasting impact.
Program Highlights:
- Faith-centered formation: Ground your work in child and youth theology, spiritual formation, and effective ministry practices
- Advocacy in action: Gain practical training in advocacy and public policy, shaped by Wesley DC’s Washington, DC context
- Contextual leadership: Build skills to support and advocate for children and young people in diverse communities.
- Flexible vocational fit: Designed for ministry leaders, nonprofit professionals, educators, and advocates at every stage.
Whether you’re discerning a call, refreshing your skills, or exploring new ministry opportunities, Wesley DC’s certificates are a meaningful next step.
Faith and Public Life
Explore how religion shapes public engagement and advocacy.
Wesley Theological Seminary prepares current and future Christian leaders to be effective public witnesses. This one-year, non-degree certificate offers practical and thought-provoking courses on Christian theology, public policy, and political action.
Program Highlights:
- Study the intersection of faith, politics, and society
- Understand Christian traditions in public discourse
- Complete five courses, including a capstone project
- Learn from expert faculty at the Center for Public Theology
Ready to learn more?
Join us for a visit to experience Wesley’s vibrant community firsthand. Contact admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659.
National Capital Experience for Seminarians (NCES) Certificate
Where Faith Meets Public Life in the Nation’s Capital
For over 40 years, the National Capital Experience for Seminarians (NCES) has brought together students from across the country to explore the dynamic intersection of theology, ethics, and public policy in Washington, DC.
Whether you join for a full semester or a summer intensive, NCES offers a transformative opportunity to engage firsthand with the people, institutions, and movements shaping our public life—through the lens of faith.
Program Highlights
- Two course options: Choose a spring semester course or a one-week summer intensive
- Experiential learning: Engage elected officials, faith leaders, advocates, and policy experts through seminars and site visits
- Open to visiting students: Cross-registration available for students from accredited seminaries
- Certificate-friendly: Courses complement certificates in theology and ministry
- Summer housing available: Limited housing for commuter students during the summer intensive (advance registration required)
For questions or more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or call (202) 885-8659.
Theology and the Arts
Where Creative Expression Meets Theological Imagination
Wesley Theological Seminary’s Certificate in Theology and the Arts invites students to explore the rich relationship between faith, theology, and the arts. Whether you are a visual artist, musician, writer, performer, or simply someone who values creativity as a lens for spiritual formation and ministry, this program offers a space to deepen both your theological grounding and your artistic practice.
Housed within the Luce Center for Arts and Religion—the only center of its kind at a United Methodist seminary—the certificate program integrates hands-on creative exploration with rigorous academic inquiry. You’ll study the role of the arts in worship, public life, and prophetic ministry while developing your voice as a leader who can engage imagination, beauty, and justice in meaningful ways.
Program Highlights
- Combine graduate-level theological study with visual, performing, or literary arts.
- Learn from faculty and visiting artists who are leaders in the field of arts and theology.
- Engage with a diverse community of artists, pastors, and cultural leaders.
- Access studio space, exhibitions, and art-integrated worship on campus.
- Create a capstone project that reflects your theological and creative growth.
Who Should Apply?
This certificate is ideal for:
- Pastors and ministry leaders who want to integrate the arts into worship and congregational life
- Artists seeking theological depth and spiritual direction in their creative work
- Seminarians passionate about imagination, justice, and expression as acts of faith
At Wesley DC, we believe that art can be a form of prayer, protest, and proclamation. Join us in a learning community where creativity and theology illuminate each other—and where your gifts can help shape a more imaginative and faithful church.
African-American Church Studies Specialization
Rooted in Faith. Formed by History. Equipped to Lead.
The African-American Church Studies (AACS) Program at Wesley Theological Seminary prepares students to lead with insight, integrity, and imagination in African American religious contexts and communities.
Grounded in the rich spiritual, theological, and cultural traditions of the Black Church, the AACS program equips students to:
- Explore the historical and theological foundations of African American religious life—from the 17th century to the present
- Develop the skills to analyze and interpret cultural texts, traditions, and practices beyond traditional scripture
- Engage in the theory and practice of prophetic leadership, with a focus on crisis ministry, justice, and community transformation
Through rigorous study, spiritual formation, and practical application, students gain the tools to serve faithfully and prophetically in a complex and changing world.
Contact Admissions at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or call (202) 885-8569 to learn more.
