You will need to complete an online application, email us a scan of the I.D. page of your passport (international applicants only), and pay a $50 application fee.

No, you will need to complete a new online application and submit a new passport scan (international applicants only).

Please see the costs chart on our website.

This fee covers the cost of coffee breaks, class supplies, Horizons Luncheons, and other expenses not normally incurred during the regular semester classes. Everyone needs to pay this fee for each course taken.

SPI offers need-based scholarships and a limited number of fellowships to help make participation possible. Please complete the scholarship section of your SPI application to describe your financial circumstances and the support you need.

We encourage you to contribute what you can reasonably afford while requesting enough support to participate without compromising essential household needs or taking on unmanageable debt. You do not need to demonstrate that your circumstances are more difficult than someone else’s.

General SPI Scholarships

General scholarships support tuition only and cannot cover lodging, meals, or transportation. Two options are available:

• Partial scholarships: Need-based awards of up to $1,000 toward tuition for one course.

• Matching scholarships: Pay tuition for one course, and SPI covers tuition for one additional course when you enroll in two, or two additional courses when you enroll in three.

Awards are based on financial need and a review of your full application. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, with decisions communicated alongside your admission decision within three weeks of your application.

SPI Fellowships

Fellowships offer more comprehensive support and are SPI’s only opportunity for full funding. Awards are limited, and a separate fellowship application is required in addition to your SPI application.

• Winston Fellowship: Four fellowships support participants who are new to peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and restorative justice frameworks, or who have had limited access to formal training. An organizational sponsor and a planned internship following SPI are required. Funding covers three courses, course and materials fees, round-trip travel, lodging, meals, health insurance if needed, and visa fees. Travel and visa expenses are reimbursed. Up to two awards will be selected from applications submitted by December 17, 2026, with remaining awards selected from all complete applications submitted by January 30, 2027. Apply for the Winston Fellowship.

• Seminary Extended Fellowship for Pastoral and Denominational Leadership: Approximately four to six fellowships are anticipated for pastors, chaplains, lay ministry leaders, and denominational leaders. Priority is given to those serving underrepresented, rural, small, or under-resourced congregations and networks with limited access to professional development. Awards reflect individual financial circumstances and may cover up to 100% of tuition, travel, lodging, and meals. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are allocated. Apply for the Seminary Extended Fellowship.

If you apply for a fellowship but are not selected, you will be considered for a general SPI scholarship. We encourage you to apply early.

No! Essays should be completed by you only, without any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). We strongly prefer to hear your personal voice. Grammatical errors, or mistakes from non-native English speakers, are highly favored compared to AI speech patterns. The admissions committee will not evaluate your application based on academic writing style. Instead, they will seek to understand your life experiences, your goals, and your motivation to attend SPI. We encourage you to share a story that helps you stand out, especially if you are seeking financial support.

Blatant use of AI may affect your ability to qualify for admission and scholarship. 

The knowledge and skills you will receive during the class are very similar whether taken for training or credit. One of the major differences between the two is the amount of work required for the course. Those taking courses for credit will have additional readings, writing assignments, and projects that are not required for training participants.

 Another difference is the cost. Taking courses for credit costs significantly more than taking courses for training.

In addition, the majority of SPI financial assistance is only available for training fees. Those who take courses for credit are not eligible for most SPI Scholarships or the Winston Fellowship.

Yes, it is possible to take SPI courses towards any of CJP's masters or graduate certificate degrees. For matriculated students who are pursuing the MACT or the MARJ primarily from a distance, attendance at SPI courses can fulfil the residential requirement

 Please note that taking courses for credit does not automatically enroll you in an MA or GC program. If you are interested in getting a Masters degree or graduate certificate you will need to apply separately through the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. For more information see the web at https://emu.edu/cjp/grad/ or email cjpadmissions@emu.edu.

It is possible for you to take a course for graduate credit and transfer it to another university, but this is up to your home university. You should verify with your university that the class you are taking can be transferred as some have limitations on the number of transfer credits and/or transferring core courses.

Our classes are a combination of persons taking the classes for training and persons taking the classes for credit. Those taking the classes for credit will meet with their instructor during the week to receive information that outlines the additional for-credit responsibilities, which will include required reading, and may include written assignments and or a final project.

After the course is over you have until October 2, 2026 to complete all of the assigned course work (Note: EMU full-time students must complete their work by August 21, 2026). Click here to learn more about taking courses for academic credit.

International participants taking courses for training will want to apply for either a B-1 visa or a J-1 visa. Those taking courses for credits must have a J1 visa.  Those who are accepted into the MA program must have an F1 visa. 

Participants applying for a B-1 visa will receive a formal invitation letter from the CJP Program Director. Please allow up to 1 month between submitting your application and the receipt of your invitation letter. We do not have capacity to provide any additional documentation.

Participants applying for a J-1 Short-term Scholar visa will need to complete a more extensive process including demonstrating English proficiency through a video interview, completing a financial certification form, and providing additional demographic details. While this process is more extensive, and slightly more expensive, the J-1 visa allows us to validate your information with the US State Department which can lead to shorter visa appointment wait times. Participants should allow 1 month between submitting your application and the completion of your J-1 visa application process. More information on the J-1 visa can be found here.

The B-1 visa can be used at SPI to take courses for training under the B1 category “participate in a short-term training”. Click here for more information.  

The J-1 visa is an exchange visa that can be used at SPI to take courses for training or for academic credit. It is a time specific visa that allows entry before your course begins and exit no later than 30 days after your last course. Participants who are taking courses for academic credit will be required to enter the US on a J-1 visa (or an F1 visa if a matriculated student).

It is sometimes easier to get a J1 visa (instead of a B1) and it is sometimes possible to make expedited visa appointments if you are applying for a J1 visa and there is no visa appointment before your course begins.  The J1 visa also comes with an additional cost of $220 for a homeland security check and the cost to courier documents to you.  More information on this visa can be found here, http://j1visa.state.gov/.

Please note: you cannot arrive on a B-1 visa and decide during SPI that you want to take courses for credit. If you think it is at all possible that you are going to want to take classes for credit or switch to credit, you must enter on a J-1 visa. More information on this visa can be found here,  https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/short-term-scholar.

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is located in Harrisonburg, in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Please note that there is very little public transportation between EMU and the nearest international airport, located about 120 miles away. To get to campus, you may need to hire a taxi, rent a car, or use your own car. We provide some travel Information on our webpage.

 Megabus has recently started travel between Washington, DC, Dulles International Airport, and Harrisonburg, VA. Please check the megabus website to see if the times of travel will work for you.  You will need to make your way from the drop-off point in Harrisonburg to EMU’s campus, approximately four miles away.