IWU's Seminario Wesley's Maestría en Divinidad (M.Div.) currently has 43 students enrolled plus 20 students accepted, which begin coursework in January 2015. These students are from 14 states, as well as Colombia, Panama and Peru. They anticipate enrolling over 25 more students in the coming months and will continue expanding their global enrollment. Flores, who resides in California, was thrilled to learn of IWU's program - not only does it allow her to pursue her dream of someday becoming a theologian, it allows her to do so in her native language, Spanish. "My sister kept telling me to go back to school and said I could do it in English. I told her she's crazy!" Flores says. "When I found this opportunity to get my Master's online and speaking my first language, I jumped at the opportunity. The program has exceeded my expectations. The professors push me to give more than I think I can give. I think that's the best way for me to learn."
Wesley Seminary is home to the only Spanish M.Div. offered primarily online in the U.S. The program curriculum was contextualized to respond to the specific needs of the Hispanic church and its leadership. Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, the president of NHCLC states, "Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University is the only accredited institution offering a Spanish Master of Divinity online, contextualized for Hispanic leaders. This makes Seminario Wesley one of one."
The NHCLC is the largest Latino Christian organization in America, and the education of Hispanics is among their primary directives. "Hispanics represent the largest minority student population in the nation, and although more and more Latino students are enrolling in college, not many are graduating," their website states. The granting of these scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing higher education degrees is one way they help ensure their success.
For more information on Wesley Seminary's Hispanic degree offerings, contact Rev. Dr. Joanne Solis-Walker, Director of Latino/Latina Education & Adjunct Professor, Wesley Seminary, or Pastor Moses Avila, Assistant Program Representative, Bilingual Student Specialist, Wesley Seminary.