Methodist Wesleyan Studies Certificate

Program Code: D-WES-C
Degree Designation: Certificate
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/certificates/methodist-wesleyan

Program Summary

The certificate in Methodist/Wesleyan studies is for pan-Methodist/Wesleyan students who wish to engage in robust and intentional training in Wesleyan theology and spiritual practice in preparation for leadership positions in Methodist and Wesleyan churches, including the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Korean Methodist Church.

The certificate can be earned as part of the residential MDiv, hybrid MDiv, MTS, and MA degrees.

Duke Divinity School has rich resources in Methodist/Wesleyan studies, including renowned Methodist/Wesleyan scholars, vast primary sources in Methodism, the Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition, seasoned Methodist pastors in Field Education and Spiritual Formation programs, and close partnership with Methodist churches. The certificate in Methodist/Wesleyan studies, administered by the Methodist House of Studies, will guide pan-Methodist/Wesleyan students to identify and engage in these resources and integrate them into their academic study and ministry.

The goal of the certificate is to nurture Christian leaders whose theology and practice are deeply embedded in the Methodist tradition of serving the marginalized and creating innovative practices to foster thriving communities. Through the certificate program, the students will better integrate their academic learning with ministerial practices in the Wesleyan tradition, learn and practice spiritual exercises (“the means of grace”) in the Wesleyan tradition, and receive mentoring for vocational discernment and leadership development in the Wesleyan tradition.

As part of an advanced spiritual formation learning community that seeks Wesleyan spiritual disciplines to sustain the life of study and ministry, students will build connections with other Methodist/Wesleyan students, faculty, and ecclesial leaders, crossing conventional cultural, racial, and ethnic boundaries.

Academic Requirements

• Methodist Wesleyan Core Course (complete any)

  • PARISH 707 (Wesleyan Foundations for Mission, Practice, Belief)

  • PARISH 777 (Wesleyan Foundations for Mission, Practice, and Belief)

• Methodist Wesleyan Electives (complete 2 courses)

  • AMXTIAN 800 (Studies in American Methodism)

  • CHURHST 809 (Life and Times of the Wesleys)

  • CHURMIN 761 (Introduction to Christian Ministry: Ordained Leadership)

  • HISTTHEO 950 (Theology of John Wesley)

  • LTS 730 (Introduction to Christian Worship)

  • PARISH 708 (United Methodism: Mission, Practice, and Belief)

  • PARISH 759 (Missio Ecclesiae: God's Mission of Evangelism)

  • PARISH 768 (Philanthropy and the Church)

  • PARISH 770 (Forming Disciples in Wesleyan Tradition)

  • PARISH 778 (United Methodism: Mission, Practice, Belief)

  • PARISH 779 (Women and Evangelism)

  • PARISH 780 (The Missional Church and Evangelism)

  • PARISH 801 (Evangelism and Leadership)

  • PASTCARE 760 (Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Care)

  • PASTCARE 765 (Pastoral Care through Anxiety and Depression)

  • PASTCARE 766 (Ministry and Care in the Contexts of Displacement and Loss)

  • PASTCARE 778 (Death, Dying, and Bereavement)

  • XTIANTHE 824 (John Wesley, Methodism & Ecumenism)

  • XTIANTHE 854 (Contemporary Methodist Theology)

  • XTIANTHE 858  (Pentecostal Theology)

  • Other pre-approved courses may also count

• MDVR and MDVH Requirements

  • Spiritual Formation: Repeat CHURMIN 706 at least 2 times

  • Field Education in Methodist/Wesleyan Context

• MTS Requirements: Coursework/Vocation Integration Essay

• MACP Requirements

  • Coursework/Vocation Integration Essay 

  • Formation Project 

Guidance for Co-Curricular Requirements for MA and MTS Students

• A 500-word essay explaining how the student's coursework integrates with current vocation/work with specific reference to Certificate in Methodist/Wesleyan Studies

• (MA only) A project or experience deepening the student’s Methodist/Wesleyan formation. This formation may be done inside a course or independently with the approval of the Certificate Director.