Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Peacemaking & Social Change

Class Type:

Asynchronous Online

Cost:

$688 per credit hour plus fees

Program Start Terms:

Summer (preferred), Fall, Spring

Program Options:

Doctor of Ministry

32

Credit Hours

3

Years (Avg.)

Apply now for the first cohort, beginning August 2025.

The Doctor of Ministry degree is currently pending accreditation approval by the Association for Theological Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Pursue a specialized field of study.

The Doctor of Ministry in Peacemaking and Social Change at EMU is an advanced, professionally-oriented degree that equips graduates to lead in faith-based settings, including congregations, nonprofits, community organizing and appropriate teaching roles.

Guided by an Anabaptist-informed holistic approach to peace, students engage in embodied, critical theological reflection on theories and practices of peacemaking and social change, developing their capacity to strategically foster communities of action for constructive change toward peace.

Curriculum (32 SH)

This online doctoral program has been designed with all new, fully-asynchronous courses taught by full-time faculty at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

32 credits of required core courses:

DMIN 700 Theologies of Nonviolence, Justice and Peace (4)
DMIN 710 Theologies of Liberation (4)
DMIN 750 Peacemaking Practices (4)
DMIN 760 Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care (4)
DMIN 770 Scriptures and the Ministry of Peacemaking (4)
DMIN 800-802 Research Methods and Design (3)
DMIN 810 Analysis of Self and Systems (4)
DMIN 820 Religion and Social Change (4)
DMIN 850 Thesis Writing (1)

Doctoral thesis:

In consultation with a designated faculty advisor, the student will develop a proposal for a written thesis that explores an area of ministry related to the student’s vocational calling, utilizes appropriate research methodologies and resources, and generates new knowledge regarding the practice of ministry. Once the thesis proposal is approved by a DMin faculty thesis committee, the DMin candidate will make an oral presentation about the thesis and undergo evaluation to reflect excellence and achievement of the program’s outcomes.

Admission Requirements
- An MDiv from an accredited school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least three years of full-time ministry activity since completion of the master’s degree.
- EMS will not extend opportunities for transfer credit into this doctoral program.
- Students who do not hold an MDiv will be considered for admission if they have been in the practice of ministry for at least five years after earning their master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. These students will be required to demonstrate or attain MDiv equivalency through additional graduate work in theological studies to ensure their preparation in biblical studies, church history, systematic theology, practical theology, spiritual formation, and field education.
Application Requirements
- A complete application for the Doctor of Ministry program.
- Three references: 1) ecclesial, 2) academic, 3) applicant's choice.
- An academic writing sample of at least 2000 words, either full paper or excerpt from a theological graduate course demonstrating scholarly writing and research with citations. If no recent/theological education, must produce a 5-page writing sample in which you identify and defend how you would form a biblical, theological, and ecclesial approach to a topic in peacemaking and social change and identify, utilize, and properly cite a minimum of three scholarly academic references.
- A personal statement of 750-1000 words responding to the following prompts:
  - Describe relevant personal, academic and ministry experiences. What have you learned about yourself as a leader through those experiences?
  - Describe your role and your current ministry context. How do you expect to integrate DMin learnings and research with that community?
  - Describe your interest in peacemaking and social change. What are your goals for seeking a DMin in this area?

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Doctor of Ministry in Peacemaking & Social Change