Application Deadline
- Fall 2025 - August 1, 2025
To meet the listed deadline, an application and all supplemental items must be submitted by the date referenced above.
- Entry Term: August
Entry Requirements
- MDiv or equivalency
- Definable context for ministry
- Normally 3 years of post-Master's ministry-related experience (can be church or non-profit)
- 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.
Application Requirements
I. If you hold a Master of Divinity (MDiv), please provide the following:
- Resume/CV
- 4 Recommendations: Congregational Board member, Denominational Official, Colleague, and Layperson. Send your references this Recommendation Form.
- Official Transcripts
- Must be submitted from all institution(s) previously attended
- How to Request a Transcript: View FAQs about requesting a transcript from your previous school(s).
- Must be submitted from all institution(s) previously attended
- 3 Short Essays: Submit 3 short papers which will help the Admissions 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.
- Directions: Please submit 3 separate short essays. Each essay should have a minimum of 500 words.
- Statement of Faith - How do your formative religious experiences and current faith commitments inform your understanding of your ministerial vocation? (minimum 500 words)
- Statement of Purpose - 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? (minimum 500 words)
- Personal Statement - 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? (minimum 500 words)
- Directions: Please submit 3 separate short essays. Each essay should have a minimum of 500 words.
- Interview with Program Director
- Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview after all other application materials have been submitted.
- Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview after all other application materials have been submitted.
II. If you hold a Master of Theology (MTS) or other Master's degree used in a ministerial setting, please also provide the following:
(Applicants 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 (exegesis paper) 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