MA/Intercultural studies
Online | Deerfield, IL
This program provides specialized study in the discipline of intercultural studies and Christian mission. The MA/ICS is suitable for persons seeking academic preparation for service as missionaries, cross-cultural workers, teachers, strategists, and researchers. It may also serve as an intermediate step toward doctoral study in a related area.
Why take Intercultural Studies at TEDS?
The MA/ICS is flexible, allowing students who live and serve in various parts of the world to complete it. Required courses are scheduled regularly online and this program can be completed entirely online. Live courses are offered at the Deerfield campus on weekends, and in one- or two-week modular formats, both throughout the academic year and during summers. Courses are also offered at Trinity extension sites.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
A foundation of theology courses is coupled with core courses in mission and intercultural studies along with a generous number of electives and a choice of capstone projects (integrative paper, internship, or thesis) depending on your interests and future plans. Courses you will take include the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ID 5000 | Biblical Theology and Interpretation | 3 hours |
| ST 5201 | Theology I: The God of the Gospel | 3 hours |
| ST 5202 | Theology II: The Gospel of God | 3 hours |
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ME 6760 | Theology of Mission & Evangelism | 3 hours |
| ME 6610 (or) ME 8210 |
Anthropology for Ministry (or) Intercultural Communications |
3 hours |
| ME 6410 (or) ME 7450 |
History of the Expansion of Christianity (or) Christianity in the Non-Western World since 1700 | 3 hours |
| Recommended Electives (6 hours required) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ME 7300 | World Religions | 3 hours |
| ME 7710 | Contextualization | 3 hours |
| ME 8230 | Global Church Planting and Development | 3 hours |
| ME 8315 | Christian Encounter with Islam | 3 hours |
| ME 8815 | Ethnicity: Modes of Analysis and Inquiry | 3 hours |
Elective course work is dependent upon academic and professional goals, and is determined in consultation with the faculty advisor. If writing a thesis, a research methods course is required.
Electives (9 hours) |
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Field Education and Formation Group (0 hours) |
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| Choose One: | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| PT 5090 | Field Ed (two semesters) | 0 hours |
| PT 5090 and ID 5080 |
Field Ed (one semester) and Formation Group (two semesters) |
0 hours |
Comprehensive Exam and Capstone |
||
| MA/ICS Major Comprehensive Exam | 1 hour | |
| MA/ICS Capstone Participants work with the department in completing one of the following | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ID 7480 | MA Integrative Paper | 2 hours |
| PT 746X | Intercultural Ministries Internship (Required for students with limited cross-cultural experience as determined by the ME department) | 2 hours |
| ME 7485 |
MA Thesis (The thesis option requires a research methods course as an elective) | 2 hours |
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Nontraditional Student Options
This program is structured so as to enable nontraditional students to complete it. Required courses are scheduled regularly in evenings, weekends, and in one- or two-week modular formats; others are offered in the summer, at extension sites, online through distance education, or as guided research study. Please talk to an admissions counselor to find out what options might be best for your situation.
Missional Ministry Focus
There are many forms of pastoral, church-planting, parachurch, and urban ministry in the U.S., Canada, and other western contexts in which a deep understanding of contextualization and cross-cultural ministry is necessary. For this reason, several courses are offered with a focus in missional ministry.
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR
ADMISSION TO THIS PROGRAM?
In addition to the requirements for general admission, you’ll need the following:
An undergraduate major in intercultural studies or its equivalent that includes a minimum of eight (8) hours in intercultural studies/missions and social sciences, or extensive intercultural experience.
Six (6) semester hours of Bible including Old and New Testament surveys; or TEDS OT 5000 and NT 5000. You can be admitted without this, but you must make up these courses early in your program to move forward.
An undergrad GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred; we’ll need scores from either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) if your GPA is below 3.0.
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MISSION AND EVANGELISM FACULTY