The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Ministry and Leadership is a 36-credit, fully accredited graduate degree that provides leadership training to currently incarcerated students living within the unique context of the New York State prison system. It aims to equip students with the skills required to lead effectively within and beyond prison walls. Through rigorous academic study in theology, ministry, pastoral care, and social justice leadership, as well as experiential learning and mentorship, students will emerge with the capacity to positively impact correctional facility communities and inspire transformative change in society at large. Graduates of the MPS program often become influential leaders within the prison population, serving as counselors, mentors, and mediators. Many graduates who are eventually released from prison go on to serve as faith leaders, counselors, and community organizers. Some continue their education, pursuing further academic degrees and professional careers.
Program Goals
To reflect critically on diverse theological, religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions from an interreligious engagement lens to foster community-building and social change in specific contexts.
To develop a leadership capacity to identify, design, and put into practice relevant, inclusive, and restorative models of community and faith community in the prison context and, in the event of release from prison, urban contexts that work toward personal and social transformation.
To cultivate a critical understanding of U.S. carcerality, the prison context, and their intersections with religious and social experiences.
Program Admissions
This program is open to candidates who are currently incarcerated at a New York State Correctional Facility and currently possess an accredited bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Strong candidates demonstrate a promise for leadership and readiness for graduate-level study, an active faith commitment, and meet all of the Seminary’s other standards for admission. Admission to the program requires approval from both Union Theological Seminary and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
Once accepted, students are transferred to Sing Sing or Bedford Hills ( if they are not already housed there), where they will complete a one-year, 36-credit graduate course of study. Many elect to move from medium- or even minimum-security prisons to the maximum-security environment of Sing Sing or Bedford Hills in order to attend the program. Union is able to offer this program on a tuition-free basis, thanks to the generous support of grants and individual donors.
Program History & Impact
New York Theological Seminary (NYTS), under the leadership of President George “Bill” Webber (Union ‘48), launched the MPS at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1982. Led by President LaKeesha Walrond (Union ‘14), NYTS launched the program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 2022. Union Theological Seminary (UTS) began offering the program in 2024, hiring faculty and program leadership to join the Union community and continue the program’s important mission and legacy.
Since its inception, the program has graduated close to 500 students. The recidivism rate over the course of the program is below 10% and almost 0% for graduates in the past decade. Alumni of the program have started organizations such as Center for NuLeadership on Human Justice and Healing, Exodus Transitional Community, and Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, and the program has received coverage from CBS News, The Christian Century, The Presbyterian Outlook, and PBS.
| Term | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Foundations of Ministry | 3 |
| Fall | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| Fall | Bible and Hermeneutics of Justice | 3 |
| Fall | Christianity, Islam, and Judaism and the Marginalized | 3 |
| Fall | Leadership, Mentorship, and Prison Ministry | 3 |
| Fall | Capstone Project 1 | 3 |
| Spring | Practice of Ministry | 3 |
| Spring | Theories of Justice and Public Leadership | 3 |
| Spring | Pastoral Care, Counseling, and the Self | 3 |
| Spring | Religious Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues | 3 |
| Spring | Theological Reflection, Justice, and the Public Square | 3 |
| Spring | MPS Capstone Project 2 | 3 |
Program Leadership
Faculty Director: Rev. Dr. Willie Dwayne Francois III
The Reverend Dr. Willie Dwayne Francois III is an Associate Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary, where he directs the Master of Professional Studies Program at Sing Sing and Bedford Hills Correctional Facilities and co-directs the Doctor of Ministry program. Likewise, he serves as Senior Pastor of Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey, and President of the Black Church Center for Justice and Equality—a national think tank and policy advocacy organization. His second book, titled Silencing White Noise: Six Practices to Overcome our Inaction on Race, was released in August 2022 through Brazos Press. His upcoming book, tentatively entitled Outing Blue Privilege: A Call for Public Love when Public Safety is Not Enough, is under contract with Oris Books. Francois’ pastoral activism takes shape around racial equity, economic justice, and criminal justice reform.
Bedford Hills Site Director: Rev. Dr. Wanda Lundy
Rev. Dr. Wanda M. Lundy is a distinguished figure in the realm of education and community service, currently leading the 313+ Ancestors Speak Project. This initiative is dedicated to researching the identities of free and enslaved African people who rest in unmarked graves within the Siloam-Hope First (Old First) Presbyterian Church cemetery in Elizabeth, NJ. A pivotal aspect of this project includes the establishment of a monument to honor the memories of these individuals, along with their families and contributions to the history of Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church, as well as to the broader narratives of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and the United States.
Sing Sing Site Director: Rev. Dr. Nancy Fields
The Reverend Dr. Nancy Fields is an ordained Presbyterian Teaching Elder with professional experience as a stated supply pastor, resident chaplain, ACPE Certified Educator Candidate, assistant professor, adjunct professor, and corporate management employee. She has a unique history of combining a love for academics with a deep practical interest and involvement in the care of underserved and vulnerable communities. Dr. Fields is experienced in pastoring, teaching, and advising other ministerial professionals. She exhibits exceptional people and counseling skills with a focus on spiritual reflection and spiritual direction.