Master of Arts in Ministry – Intercultural Studies

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Ministry – Intercultural Studies is a missiological degree focusing on training church pastors and leaders to minister in the 10/40 Window. It is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) and the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA). The program is divided into four areas of emphasis: Buddhism, Chinese religions, Islam, and urban studies.

This is a cohort-based, in-ministry program.

Learning Outcomes	Competencies
Spiritual, Bible-based, Mission-driven Person	Has a strong, meaningful relationship with God and a burden for the unreached Shows love and respect for the people group being served Applies biblical principles to his/her personal, professional and ministerial life
Effective, Cross-cultural Ministry Practitioner	Demonstrates sensitivity toward other cultures Shows interest and aptitude for learning the language and culture of a people group in the area of emphasis Is actively involved in ministry to focused people group Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate with the focused people group Applied missiological principles to the ministry context
Cross-cultural Ministry Resource Developer and Trainer	Produces a contextualized cross-cultural ministry training curriculum for church members Shows ability to effectively deliver cross-cultural ministry training Produces contextualized cross-cultural ministry tools and resources Cultivates a love for learning by continually reading missiological books and articles

Program Length

The program takes a minimum of four years to complete. Students attend classes for seven weeks each year at the AIIAS campus. The time limit to finish the program is six years. A MA-Min Cohort student will spend seven weeks at AIIAS during the first three years. The student must also complete one online course and one unit of practicum during the remainder of the year. In this way, the student will register for up to 13 units per year. In the final year, the student will spend 2 months at AIIAS to write their project paper.

Session	On-Campus Residence	Rest of the Year	Aim to Complete
1	9 credits (AIIAS)	4 credits (online course and practicum)	13 credits
2	9 credits (AIIAS)	4 credits (online course and practicum)	13 credits
3	9 credits (AIIAS)	4 credits (online course and practicum)	13 credits
4	3 credits (project writing and approval)		3 credits
			42 credits

Admission Requirements

Hold a baccalaureate degree in religion from a recognized institution or 72 semester hours in religion courses from an equivalent undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (or equivalent).
A recommendation letter from the current employer. If the applicant is not currently employed by a church organization, then the letter of recommendation may come from the local church board (where the applicant holds membership) or theological faculty from the institution where the applicant earned the degree.
Has a minimum of 2 years of full-time ministry experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in English.

Degree Requirements

Complete 42 semester hours of coursework specified in the curriculum within a maximum of six years.
Write a project paper (50-60 pages) under the guidance of an advisor appointed by the Programs Committee. The project is to be evaluated and accepted by the advisor and another reader appointed by the Programs Committee.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of not less than 2.75 for graduation.

Curriculum

In order to complete the Master of Arts in Ministry–Intercultural Studies program, the following 14 courses of 42 semester hours or their equivalent must be completed.

Program Structure	Credits
Core General Missiology Church Ministry Biblical Studies and Theology Research and Writing	12 6 6 6
Area of Emphasis	9
Field Experience	3
TOTAL	42

General Missiology	12
Complete the following courses: MSSN 615 Introduction to Missions MSSN 630 Anthropology for Missions MSSN 665 Urban Ministry and Mission MSSN 685 Biblical Foundations of Ministry and Mission	3 3 3 3

Church Ministry	6
Complete the following two courses: CHMN 615 Equipping Ministry CHMN 679 Ministry and Spiritual Life	3 3

Biblical Studies and Theology	6
Complete the following two courses: OTST/NTST 612 Biblical Hermeneutics THST 631 Distinctive Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church	3 3

Research and Writing	6
Complete the following two courses: GSEM 600 Applied Theology Research and Writing MSSN 696 Ministry Project	3 3

Area of Emphasis	9
Complete the following four courses in a specialty: (Buddhism/Chinese Religions/Islam/Secularism) MSSN 513 Introduction to ______ MSSN 673 Biblical Teachings and the Writings of ______ MSSN 691 Models/Strategies of Contextualized ______ Ministry	3 3 3