M.A. in Intercultural Studies Specialization Options
Ministry
Specialization Options
Within this degree are two tracks of study: Intercultural Ministry and Children and Youth at Risk. Each student completes a biblical/theological foundation core (30 hours) and intercultural specialization track (30 hours). Depending upon course availability, up to half of the degree program may be completed through extension studies while remaining in one’s place of ministry.
A significant part of the MAIS program is a full-time, mentored internship
lasting at least six months. While not necessarily located overseas, the internship always involves intercultural living, communication, and other activities typical of intercultural workers. Normally, the intern is responsible for raising his or her own financial support for this phase of the training.
Intercultural students may choose to begin their studies with the Graduate Studies Diploma in Intercultural Studies (one year or 30 hour program) or the Graduate Studies Certificate in Intercultural Studies (16 hour program). Please refer to pages 58-59 for additional information.
Intercultural Ministry Track
The program requires at least 60 semester hours of coursework:
Spiritual formation studies: 6 hours
SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others (2)
SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines (2)
SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity .(2)Biblical interpretation studies: 14 hours
DBS 516 Learning to Interpret Scripture Survey (2)
BLS 501 Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon (4)
BLS 502 Interpreting the Prophets to Gospels (4)
BLS 503 Interpreting Acts to Revelation (4)Theological studies: 10 hours
THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I (4)
THS 502 Glorifying the God of our Salvation: Theology II (4)
THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III (2)Intercultural foundation studies: 8 hours
DIS 501 Communicating Christ in Culture (2)
DIS 505 Biblical Theology of Mission (2)
DIS 506 Applied Cultural Analysis (2)
DIS 508 Applied Anthropology (2)Intercultural specialization studies: 8 hours
Restricted electives—Select 8 hours from among the following:
DIS 502 Perspectives on World Ministry (3)
DIS 516 Applied Linguistics (2)
DIS 520 History of Missions (2)
DIS 522 Starting and Developing Churches (2)
DIS 524 Foundations: At Risk Children / Youth (2)
DIS 526 Religions of the World (2)
DIS 553 History of Women in Missions (2)
DIS 562H Introduction to Islam (2)
DIS 570 Senior Project (2)Restricted electives: 6 hours
Choose from DIS or TSL electives: 6 hoursConcentration internship: 8 hours
DIS 500 Discovering and Developing Ministry Potential (2)
DIS 534 Adapting Cross-Culturally (2)
DIS 531 Intercultural Ministry Internship (4)Total: 60 hours
