All applicants must have at least four years of vocational ministry/work experience after their master’s degree; and meet other character, ministry, and academic standards appropriate to the program, including a grade point average for their masters of “B+” or above (3.3 on 1-4 scale, 4 high) and demonstrated English proficiency. If an applicant’s masteral study or GPA do not meet admission standards, leveling courses may be required and/or admission under academic probation may be allowed. All applicants must have either the MDiv degree or a sufficiently strong MA degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of graduate level course work in Bible and Theology (12 credits), education/practical ministry/leadership courses (12 credits) and research methods (6 credits). All participants are admitted to the program provisionally as per standards of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE). Academic performance, ministry skills and character will be assessed in the application process and as part of the first-year evaluation. The specific criteria are as follows:

• Meeting administrative requirements over the first year (e.g., complete all application requirements, complete and submit the Support Network Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establish committed financial sponsorship, settle program related financial commitments, maintain a satisfactory grade point average: B+).
• Completing all course and practicum work in a timely and effective manner (e.g., meet deadlines, quality work, responsive to evaluations)
• Commitment to the learning process required in the program (e.g., class involvement, skill practice)
• Demonstrating required baseline maturity/relational competencies (e.g., time management, personal initiative, teamwork, flexibility, humility)

This degree program was designed with the input of a team of international educational consultants then presented to an evaluation committee from the Asia Theological Association ATA, an internationally recognized academic accreditation body for seminaries). The design was approved. ATA grants academic accreditation after there are program graduates & dissertations to examine. ATA examined the program and granted full accreditation in 2017.

The foundational core of the program combines both academic and skill focused courses. This balance is similar to the course work for doctoral work in psychology/counseling. Advanced research and elective courses further develop mastery of related literature and prepare for rigorous dissertation research.

Program Content – Summary of Units  ( Total of 60 semester credits )

•  PS 841  Personal Life/Ministry Assessment
•  PS 824  Theology and Practice of Personal Peacemaking
•  PS 825  Negotiation
•  PS 828  Coaching and Mediation
•  PS 844  Comparative Peacemaking Systems
•  PS 811  Building A Culture of Peace
•  PS 831  Community and Inter-Faith Conflict

•  PS 815 A&B Practicum in Peacemaking (Personal & Negotiation) (1.5 credits each)
  
•  PS 915 A    Practicum in Peacemaking (Coaching & Mediation) (3 credits)
  
•  PS 915 B    Practicum in Peacemaking (Mediation & Training) (3 credits)
  

•  PS 850  Introduction Social Research
•  PS 952  Qualitative Research Literature and Design
•  PS 953  Field Research Methods
•  PS 955  Dissertation Research and Writing (12 semester credits)

•  PS 912  Curriculum Design for Training in Peacemaking
•  PS 921  Brokenness in Reconciliation
•  PS 925  International Peacemaking Practices
•  PS 932  Community Building in Contexts of Conflict
•  PS 940  Political Forgiveness
•  PS 942  Christian Perspectives on War and Peace
•  PS 945  Peace Studies Integrative
•  PS 990  Mentored Tutorial for Guided Research (reading course)

 Year 1
  First Semester
   PS 841 – Personal Life/Ministry Assessment (3 credits)
   PS 824 – Theology and Practice of Personal Peacemaking (3 credits)
  Second Semester
   PS 850 – Introduction to Social Research (3 credits)
   PS 815A – Practicum in Peacemaking A (1.5 credits)

 Year 2
  First Semester
   PS 825 – Negotiation (3 credits)
   PS 828 – Coaching and Mediation (3 credits)
  Second Semester
   PS 844 – Comparative Peacemaking Systems (3 credits)
   PS 815B – Practicum in Peacemaking B (1.5 credits)

 Year 3
  First Semester
   PS 811 – Building A Culture of Peace (3 credits)
   PS 831 – Community and Inter-Faith Conflict (3 credits)
  Second Semester
   PS 952 – Qualitative Research Literature & Design (3 credits)
   Elective – Recommended: PS 945 – Peace Studies Integrative (3 credits)

 Year 4
  First Semester
   Elective (3 credits)
   915 A – PhD Practicum A (3 credits)
  Second Semester
   Elective (3 credits)
   915 B – PhD Practicum B (3 credits)

 Year 5
  First Semester
   PS 953 – Field Research Methods (3 credits)
   Comprehensive Exam
  Second Semester
   PS 955 – Dissertation Research & Writing (12 credits)

 Year 6
  First & Second Sem – Ongoing research and writing