M.A. – Intercultural Studies

Resource

Program Handbook (PDF)

Concise Form & Style Guide

Objectives

The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is designed to equip students both for careers in crosscultural or multicultural environments and for ministries associated with spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in cultures other than one’s own. At the end of the program, graduates should be able to do the following:

  1. Demonstrate their capacity to live and work in environments or cultures different than their own;
  2. Articulate a crosscultural or international perspective with respect to their professional training (e.g., in teaching, medicine, business, or development);
  3. Produce written studies and reports manifesting their familiarity with the analytical and research tools available (particularly in the social sciences) and demonstrating their abilities to assess and adapt their objectives and activities to the cultural realities of their working environments;
  4. Communicate a clear understanding of the dynamic nature of the gospel, the spiritual and cultural traits of a growing church, the deeply intertwined relationship between the gospel and culture in which God’s self-revelation was given in culture, how it is now communicated across cultures, and how it is being faithfully lived out in appropriate contextualized acts of allegiance to the God of creation; and
  5. Manifest godliness of character, personal standards of integrity and morality, concern for human rights and justice, and a passion for the reconciliation of humanity with their Creator.

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is a 42–credit program. For the qualified applicant with extensive undergraduate work in intercultural studies / missions, it may be reduced to a minimum of 32 credits.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average. Graduates from approved, unaccredited colleges, if accepted, will be granted provisional acceptance, if GPA is 3.4 or higher. Graduates from approved, unaccredited colleges may be required to take additional liberal arts course work (not applicable toward the graduate degree), if their undergraduate program did not include these courses.

  2. Those without intercultural/ missions or Bible / theology or anthropology may have additional coursework added to their program.

  3. Applicants must submit a written statement outlining their vocational objectives and how the degree will relate to those objectives. Applicants should attach a one-page, typewritten letter to the application.

  4. Three letters of references on forms supplied by the school are required.

  5. Official transcripts for all previous schools attended are required.

  6. Application deadlines. M.A. programs: Fall is July 1, Spring is December 1; Ph.D.: Fall is February 15, Spring is September 15; D Missiology Fall is April 15, Spring is October 15. Applications may be submitted after deadlines (late fees apply) but will only be considered if space and time allow. Late applications may be postponed to later terms.

Note: Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete the required courses listed below.
  2. Successfully pass a comprehensive examination over coursework.
  3. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Meet with department advisor and Graduate Graduation Counselor in the Office of the Registrar one year prior to graduation to declare intent to graduate. (See Graduate Graduation Check description in Admissions, Registration & Graduation Requirements section).

Core Curriculum (18 Credits)

  • ISCL 742 – History of the Expansion of Christianity Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 751 - Theology of Mission Credit(s): 3.

Choose one of the following:

  • ISAN 761 - Culture & Transformation Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 501 - Dynamics of the Religious Experience Credit(s): 3.

Choose one of the following:

  • ISAN 561 - Economic Anthropology Credit(s): 3.

  • ISAN 751 - Social Anthropology Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 560 - Urban Research & Study Credit(s): 3.

Choose one of the following:

  • ISCL 520 - Interpersonal & Intercultural Adjustment Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 709 - Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3.

Choose one of the following:

  • ISCL 602 - Introduction to International Development Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 727 - Principles of Church Multiplication Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 744 - Narrative in Scripture and Teaching Credit(s): 3.

  • ISCL 765 - Crosscultural Leadership Credit(s): 3.

Bible / Theology (6 credits)

Electives (18 Credits)

18 credits of advisor-approved electives. Students who do not have to take required electives are encouraged to choose a combination of electives most suitable for their career goals. Students may also choose to focus electives in areas of specialization such as anthropology, missiology, crosscultural education, Bible & theology, Bible translation, linguistics, TESOL, church planting, crosscultural health care,urban ministries, etc. Students desiring a graduate certificate in TESOL in conjunction with their intercultural studies degree must also apply to the Department of ALT.

Note: Students who are not proficient in a second language will also be required to take one of the courses listed below as a required elective. (Proficiency standards for a second language will be determined by the M.A. advisor in consultation with intercultural studies faculty. See student handbook for standards.)

  • ISAL 520 - Introduction to Language & Linguistics Credit(s): 3.

  • ISAL 655 - Practicum in Language & Culture Learning Credit(s): 3.

Note: Students who have not previously taken a course in cultural anthropology will be required to take the course below as a required elective.

  • ISAN 507 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3.