Master of Arts (FlexMA) at Wesley DC
Complete your degree in 3-4 semesters (or as soon as 1.5 years full-time). Or, go at your own pace and complete your degree in 3-5 years.
Master of Arts Degree Overview
The Master of Arts (FlexMA) provides a versatile theological education for those who seek to integrate their faith with their professional and personal lives. By combining rigorous scholarship with a flexible delivery model, the program empowers student to pursue spiritual formation without hitting “pause” on their careers or commitments.
Flexible Curriculum
Our Master of Arts (FlexMA) offers a level of academic freedom unique to Wesley DC, featuring 35 elective credits and just one required capstone course. This high degree of flexibility empowers you to architect a customized curriculum that mirrors your specific goals, whether you choose to focus on Biblical Interpretation, Christian Teaching, Ministry Leadership, Justice Care and Advocacy, or Pastoral Care and Counseling. By giving you the “keys” to your own education, the FlexMA ensures that your theological formation is as distinct as your professional experience and your next call.
Advanced Course of Study
Upon approval by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, United Methodist local pastors who have completed the basic Course of Study (COS) may meet the educational requirements for conference membership and Elder’s orders by taking an additional 32 semester hours of graduate theological studies (re: Advanced Course of Study/ACOS. Wesley DC’s flexible MA degree program (36 credit hours) is designed for ACOS students.
Coursework must be planned in consultation with an advisor in conformity with the Guidelines for Advanced Course of Study (ACOS) published by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
One size does not fit all in ministry. Our student body is a diverse tapestry of professionals and seekers, including:
- Career Integrationists: Lawyers, doctors, IT professionals, and administrators who want to lead, teach, or preach within their faith communities while maintaining their current practices.
- Social Impact Leaders: Non-profit and advocacy workers looking for a theological framework to enrich their justice-oriented work.
- The “Third Career” Seekers: Retirees and veterans who are dedicating their next chapter to God through the creation of new ministries.
- Spiritual Explorers: Individuals seeking a deeper intellectual and spiritual journey to better understand their place in the world.
Program Highlights
- Personalized Curriculum: Customize your area of focus with courses specific to your ministry and/or vocational pathway alongside a faculty advisor.
- Flexible Pace: Complete your degree in as little as two years, or extend up to the maximum seven years, to accommodate your schedule and goals.
- Diverse Learning Formats: Choose from online, hybrid, classroom, and field-based courses to suit your learning style.
- Specializations and Certifications: Meet concentrated ministry goals with a specialization or certificate (where applicable) in Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy, African-American Church Studies, Public Theology, Faith and Public Life, Health Ministry, and Theology & the Arts. Or, earn certificates through the seminary partnership with the Washington Theological Consortium (registered through Wesley DC).
Admissions Requirements
As a graduate degree program, the Wesley DC FlexMA usually requires transcripts from previous studies indicating that you hold at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Sometimes, exceptions are made for those with significant ministry experience on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Admissions: admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659.
If you are an international student, your transcripts will be accessed by the Registrar for appropriate academic credit.
Degree Requirements
To graduate with your Wesley FlexMA, you will complete 36 credit hours of coursework which could include 12-18 courses. Note that different courses are 1 credit, 2 credits, or 3 credits per course, so, the courses you choose will determine how many courses you need to take. Only one course (IS-100 MA Integrative Seminar) is required. This course is taken in your final semester and it includes a final project.
