Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Peacemaking & Social Change

Class Type:
Asynchronous Online
Cost:
$701 per credit hour plus fees
Program Start Terms:
Summer (preferred), Fall, Spring
Program Options:
Doctor of Ministry
32
Credit Hours
3
Years (Avg.)

Accepting applications for Summer 2026 Cohort.

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. Our students are coming to DMin studies from a variety of ministry contexts—like a nonviolence trainer and advocate working in public schools, a state representative, and a campus minster running inclusive and affirming programs at a state university—and many are bivocational pastors, serving local churches in part-time or supply roles.

Join a doctoral program where you’ll be empowered by an Anabaptist-informed, holistic approach to justice and peace. Step into a space designed for embodied, critical theological reflection on promising theories and practices of peacemaking and social change. Develop the strategic skills needed to cultivate dynamic communities of action, driving constructive change toward a more just and peaceful world.

Learning at Eastern Mennonite Seminary is rooted in multiple Anabaptist-Mennonite perspectives, threaded with an invitation to explore theologies of nonviolence and practices for peacemaking and transformational leadership. Our current students represent several mainline traditions plus a variety of Anabaptist-Mennonite streams. People of all faith backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

Program Details

This 32-hour DMin program has been designed with all new, fully asynchronous online courses taught by full-time faculty at Eastern Mennonite Seminary with expertise in peacemaking and social change. Take one course at a time, and complete your work week by week on a timetable that complements your ministry work.

  • Course Outline

    Core coursework for the DMin program includes:  

    • Theologies of Nonviolence, Justice and Peace
    • Religion and Social Change
    • Theologies of Liberation
    • Peacemaking Practices
    • Scriptures and the Ministry of Peacemaking
    • Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care
    • Analysis of Self and Systems
  • 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.

Details for Applicants

  • 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.
    • Regular, ongoing engagement in a current ministry setting, which can be either paid employment or a volunteer leadership role.
    • 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 in a field related to their ministry work with a minimum GPA of 3.0. When their graduate work does not include preparation in biblical studies, church history, theology, spiritual formation, and/or skills for ministry, these students will be required to complete additional graduate work prior to admission.
  • 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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