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MA in Global Leadership

MA in Global Leadership

We are not accepting applications for the Master of Arts in Global Leadership at this time. Request information to connect with an admissions counselor to learn more.

God's saving mission is thoroughly global. That's why His church must bear witness to His redeeming grace on a worldwide stage. The Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) equips those who will serve in diverse, non-native communities within and beyond the traditional North American context.

The day of polycentric missions is here: everyone to everywhere. Crossing ethno-linguistic boundaries still requires international living, but increasingly opportunities abound nearby, too. The MAGL will equip you to communicate the biblical gospel cross-culturally wherever you are serving. The training provides a rich foundation of biblical and theological studies, and then progresses to fuse together classic intercultural studies, leadership, evangelism/discipleship, apologetics, global ministry skills, and biblical spirituality. 

The result? Our graduates' effectiveness transcends borders, where they lead and serve effectively as missionaries, pastors, church planters, business leaders, educators, relief and mercy advocates,  and community service workers.

 

Credits

48

Reduce This!

Months

24

Graduate in as few as two years

Online?

Yes

 

Locations

Portland

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What Sets Our Global Leadership Training Apart?

  • An emphasis on gospel centrality for spiritual formation, theological understanding, and cross-cultural ministry
  • Potential partnerships with industry-leading organizations allow you to pick the best electives for your ministry context
  • Unique specialization that fits to your current or next ministry context
  • Build a solid biblical and theological foundation for your personal growth and by which to communicate the gospel cross-culturally
  • Four semesters of praxis and engaged feedback via field leadership mentoring

MA in Global Leadership Curriculum

 

See a list of courses

Foundational Studies: 4 credits
CS501 Learning to Love God and Others 2
MF501 Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation 2
Biblical Interpretation Studies: 12 credits
BL501
Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon 4
BL502
Interpreting the Prophets and Gospels 4
BL503
Interpreting Acts to Revelation 4
Theological Studies: 12 credits
TH501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I 4
TH502 Glorifying the God of Our Salvation: Theology II 4
TH503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III 4
Global Leadership Studies: 12 credits
GL501 Spiritual Formation and Discipleship in the Global Context 2
GL502 Theology in the Global Context 2
GL503 Leadership in the Global Context 2
GL504 Cultural Apologetics for Global Leadership 2
GL531 Field Leadership Mentorship I 1
GL532 Field Leadership Mentorship II 1
GL533 Field Leadership Mentorship III 1
GL534 Field Leadership Mentorship IV 1
Note: Check with your program advisor for GL531-534 details.
Ministry Specialization Studies: 8 credits
Restricted ministry electives focusing on one area of ministry specialization with program director approval.

Specialize Your Ministry Studies

The MA in Global Leadership offers a unique specialization feature that allows the student, in dialogue with the faculty mentor and academic advisor, to create a set of courses to meet current or expected ministry directions. These courses can be from Western Seminary or transferred in from partner institutions in fields outside the forte of the Seminary. Examples of specializations include:

  • Intercultural Counseling
  • Teaching English as a Second Language
  • Evangelism/Discipleship/Apologetics
  • Preparation for Western Seminary doctoral programs
  • Intercultural education
  • Developing cross-cultural teams/leaders
  • International business/Business as mission
  • Coaching
  • Journalism
  • Linguistics/Translation/Languages
  • Organizational leadership
  • Diaspora/refugee ministry

Accessible Scheduling

Whether you hope to enroll at a part-time or full-time pace, on-campus or online, we provide many pathways to accomplish your ministry training goals while you continue to focus on the people, priorities, and places which God has already put in front of you.

Accessible Scheduling Options

A Connected Community + Mentoring

Your learning experience will be filled with people you'll never forget during your on-campus courses and especially during the MA in Global Leadership (MAGL) summer core courses taught in consecutive summers.

First Summer: You'll build a new support network by attending MAGL orientation for new students followed by your first week of Global Leadership core courses taken with fellow MAGL students (both online and campus based).

Second Summer: Your training culminates in your second summer, when you will complete the second week of Global Leadership core courses.

Mentoring: The MAGL program is unique in that you have both a faculty mentor and an academic advisor assigned to you. Your academic advisor will serve as your primary contact for developing your course plan, scheduling, and helping find the specific specialization courses. Your faculty mentor will be your primary Field Leadership Mentorship course instructor as well as helping to form your specialization and give career insight. Additionally, during two of the Field Leadership Mentorship courses (GL 532-533), you will have your field mentor who serves as your primary ministry connection. This could be your current ministry mentor or one in a ministry into which you are moving.

This field mentorship opportunity is not a formal internship. Rather, it is designed to facilitate helpful conversations (which can be done via conference calls if the student is not in the mentor’s proximity) six times a semester where the student and field mentor discuss the student’s questions/goals concerning ministry competency and character. The mentorship courses will also put you in groups of 3-5 other students along with your faculty mentor, which offers further learning and growth opportunities among your peers.

Theological Education That Keeps Debt Down

Ministry work can bring limited financial reward. That's why we encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. It might surprise you to learn that a minority of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid.

Admission Requirements

  • A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • A completed application for admission and all admissions materials

If you do not have a bachelor's degree or do not meet one of the requirements above, we invite you to contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative MA in Global Leadership admission requirements.

Transformation Stories

Meet our students and alumni, and hear how gospel-centered education is transforming lives and ministries around the world.