Entry Requirements

  • MDiv or equivalency
  • Definable context for ministry
  • Normally three years of post-MDIV ministry-related experience

Entry Term: August

Application Deadlines: One month before start of term

Application Requirements

If you hold a Master of Divinity (MDiv), please provide: 

  • Resume/CV
  • Four Recommendations: Congregational Board member, Denominational Official, Colleague, and Layperson. 
  • Minimum Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 required. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must submit a GPA letter. A graduate GPA over 3.0 can also satisfy the minimum GPA requirement.
  • 3 or more years in ministry setting (can be church or non-profit)
  • Submit a Paper which will help the Admission’s Committee to better understand your ministerial identity, ministerial context, and vocational goals, as well as what you are looking for in a Doctor of Ministry program in Contextual Leadership.  Please answer these three questions:
    • How do your formative religious experiences and current faith commitments inform your understanding of your ministerial vocation? (900-1200 words)
    • Describe your ministerial context: What have been the successes and failures, the strengths and challenges you have discovered so far, as you have adapted ministry to your context? (900-1200 words)
    • What are your expectations of the Doctoral of Ministry in Contextual Leadership program as you consider your vocational goals, and the desired shape of your future ministry?  (900-1200 words)

If you hold a Master of Theology (MTS) or Master degree used in a ministerial setting, please provide:
(will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our admissions committee) 

  • Research Paper(s) the applicant has done for school or published books, articles, or essays, the candidate has written showing the candidate’s thoughtful interpretation of scripture and theological tradition of their ministry context.

Please submit all application requirements via mail, email, or fax:

Palmer Theological Seminary
Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions
1300 Eagle Rd.
St. Davids, PA 19087

Email: admissions.file@eastern.edu
Fax: 610-225-5601