MA in Intercultural Studies

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Overview

The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies is a 12-course, 36-hour, online graduate program for individuals already engaged in missions or heading into a missions-related career offered through LCU's Hargrove School of Adult & Graduate Studies. If you desire a deeper understanding of the theories and practices of missions and effective cultural-engagement, this program will expand your understanding of Global Church ministry by providing in-depth study on the foundations, trends, and practices of missions and intercultural and cross-cultural ministry in the 21st century. The degree is relevant for those involved in cross-cultural contexts in the United States and around the world.

Program Learning Outcomes

The MA in Intercultural Studies is intended to graduate students who:

  • Live faithfully by participating with God in the reaching the world through Christ-like servant leadership.
  • Think Biblically by engaging culture(s) and ministry practices from a Biblical worldview.
  • Grow intellectually by critically engaging theories of culture and mission, developing a philosophy of intercultural/cross-cultural ministry, and engaging in critical research in the field of missiology.
  • Improve professionally by demonstrating the skills and knowledge necessary for effective participation within missions, in general, and students' areas of ministry, in particular.
  • Learn continually by developing a curiosity about the world and acquiring the graduate-level information, literacy, and research skills appropriate for being a life-long learner in the field of intercultural studies.
Program Delivery System

This program is offered completely online for adult learners. All courses are seven weeks long, with two courses offered back-to-back each term (fall, spring, summer). There is a one-week break between classes. This format allows students to focus on once course at a time and complete the program in two years. The program is cohort-based with cohorts of 8-12 students beginning each fall and spring. Before taking the first Intercultural Studies (IC) course, students learn about LCU's online platform and resources in a two-week online training course (HS 600).

Requirements

HS 600 Introduction to Online Learning (2-week course) 0
Core Courses
IC 641 Theology of Missions and Evangelism 3
IC 642 Spiritual Dynamics of Missions 3
IC 643 Anthropology for Missions 3
IC 644 Global Christianity 3
IC 645 Christian Encounter with World Religions 3
IC 646 Contextualization 3
IC 655 Practicum in Intercultural Studies 3
IC 661 Research Methods in Missions 3
IC 700 Capstone Project/Paper 3

Students will generally choose 3 independent study courses (9 hours) in intercultural topics of interest and relevance to the student. Possible topics of interest for these courses include community development, urban ministry, youth ministry, Islam, or church planting.

Choose 3 of the following Elective Courses:2
IC 671 Independent Study in Intercultural Studies I / (Cross-cultural Communication requirement)1 3
IC 672 Independent Study in Intercultural Studies II / (History of Missions requirement)1 3
IC 673 Independent Study in Intercultural Studies III / (Bible requirement)2 3

With approval of the program director, elective courses may also be taken in other Adult & Graduate Studies programs (e.g., Bible and Theology, Organizational Leadership or TESOL), or through participation in on-site courses offered at Lincoln Christian Seminary.

36 credit hours
  1. Students without prior intercultural studies or missions courses are required to take Cross-cultural Communication and History of Missions as the topics for 2 of their independent study courses (6 hours).
  2. Students without sufficient Bible knowledge are required to take an approved Bible/Theology course in lieu of 1 course (3 hours) of electives. Approved courses include: BT 611 Introduction to Christian Theology; BT 612 Introduction to the Bible; BT 614 Christian Worldview Studies; or BI 501 Introduction to God's Word (BI 501 is an on-site course offered at the Seminary).

Faculty

Dr. Rochelle Cathcart
Program Director
Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies

  • PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
  • MDiv, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
  • BA, Central Bible College
Rob Maupin
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
10 years of missionary experience in Mexico

  • DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary (Cand.)
  • MA, Wheaton College
  • BBL, Ozark Christian College
Mike Nichols
Professor of Intercultural Studies
10 years of missionary experience in the Congo

  • PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Cand.)
  • MA, Lincoln Christian Seminary
  • BA, Lincoln Christian College
Michael Hakmin Lee
Adjunct Professor of Intercultural Studies
More than 10 years of local church ministry experience (youth pastor, pastor of Christian education, etc.)

  • PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Cand.)
  • ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary
  • BA, University of Texas
Doug Priest
Executive Director, CMF International
More than 10 years of missionary experience in Tanzania and Kenya

  • PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary
  • MA, Fuller Theological Seminary
  • BS, University of Oregon
  • BA, Northwest Christian College