Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies 

Equipping Church Leaders with a Global and Intercultural Vision
The program equips students to respond to the Great Commission and serve effectively across diverse cultural contexts. Through intercultural understanding and practical ministry experience, students are prepared to bear faithful witness to Christ among peoples and cultures.
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M.A.I.C.S. Program

Purpose

The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies program is designed to equip students to become church leaders with a Kingdom perspective and global perspective , serving God in mission fields worldwide with a vision and calling for God’s Kingdom, and ministering effectively through understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, bearing faithful witness to Christ.

PROGRAM VIDEO

Program Goals

Upon completion of the M.A.I.C.S. program, students will be equipped with the following spiritual character, Kingdom vision, and ministry competencies:

  1. Foundation of a Kingdom-Mission Leader – Biblically Grounded Competencies. Graduates will integrate biblical theology with practical skills and develop appropriate strategies and solutions in response to the challenges and needs of intercultural contexts.
  2. Spiritual Life of a Kingdom-Mission Leader – Lifelong Spiritual Growth. Graduates will cultivate a lifelong commitment to growth, developing spiritual maturity and passion.
  3. Goal of a Kingdom-Mission Leader – A Church Committed to Kingdom Mission. Graduates will plan and lead the churches they serve to participate actively in God’s Kingdom mission, locally and globally, in intercultural settings.
  4. Practice of a Kingdom-Mission Leader – Developing Future Leaders. Graduates will understand leadership and management theories and their applications, and use relevant management tools and skills effectively in ministry.
  5. Vision of a Kingdom-Mission Leader – A Global Perspective. Graduates will embrace a global perspective, exercising their God-given gifts in their professions by the Lord’s grace and extending Kingdom influence.

Admission Requirements

  1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college, university, or seminary with a bachelor’s degree or higher and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.67 (B−, or 80%).
  2. Professed faith in Christ and baptism for at least two years.
  3. Demonstrated Christian character and spiritual maturity, with a recommendation from a pastor or church leader.
  4. Ability to understand spoken Mandarin Chinese.
  5. Proof of English reading proficiency: TOEFL score of 470/52 (TOEFL iBT) or above, IELTS score of 5.5 or above, or Duolingo English Test score of 80 or above. (These test results are valid for two years; applicants must retake the test after expiration.) Applicants who earned a college degree or higher at an English-medium institution, or who have resided in North America for more than 20 years, may be exempt. Other equivalent evidence of English proficiency will be considered individually.

Curriculum

Curriculum and Requirements

Required courses: 48 credits; Intercultural Studies electives: 10 credits; Total: 58 credits.

Program Duration

Duration and Location of Study

The program requires a minimum of two years and a maximum of seven years. Extensions beyond seven years may be requested on a case-by-case basis. Some courses may be taken online, synchronously or asynchronously.

M.A.I.C.S. Curriculum

Required Courses

The 48 required credits cover the core areas of Biblical Studies, Theology and History, Practical Theology, and Intercultural Studies.

01 Biblical Studies

15 credits

Course

Course Title

Credits

TSS500

Hermeneutics

3

NTS501

NT Survey I

3

NTS502

NT Survey II

3

2 Choose any two of the following four courses

OTS542

The Pentateuch

3

OTS528

Historical Literature

3

OTS554

Poetic Books and Wisdom Literature

3

OTS559

Prophetic Literature

3

02 Theology and History

12 credits

Course

Course Title

Credits

TSS504

Library Information Research Method

1

TSS510

Theology Overview

3

TSS536

Pneumatology, Sanctification and Discipleship

3

TSS538

Ecclesiology

2

CHS510

Church History

3

03 Practical Theology

11 credits

Course

Course Title

Credits

PTS519

Spiritual Formation & Practicum

3

MCS528

Soteriology Evangelism

3

PCS578

Bible and Family

3

PCS531

Pastoral Counseling I

2

04 Required Intercultural Studies Courses

10 credits

Course

Course Title

Credits

MCS521

Introduction to Missiology

3

ICS540

Intercultural Spiritual Leadership

3

ICS561

Mission’s Ecosystem

3

ICS551

Mission Practicum

0

ICS581

Mission Capstone Project

1


M.A.I.C.S. Curriculum

Elective Courses

Students must complete 10 credits of Intercultural Studies electives, selecting courses appropriate to their ministry direction, missions interests, and workplace calling.

＋ Intercultural Studies Electives

10 credits

Course

Course Title

Credits

ICS520

Missions History

3

ICS541

Life of a Missionary

3

ICS544

Christian Cultural Anthropology

2

ICS562

Diaspora Missiology

2

ICS563

Marketplace Pastoring

2

ICS565

The Theory and Practice of Workplace Mission

2

ICS567

Doing God’s Business: Faith, Marketplace Ministry and Theology

3

ICS591

The Biblical Foundation of Mission

3

M.A.I.C.S. Study Plan

M.A.I.C.S. Two-Year Study Plan

The following is a suggested two-year study plan for the M.A.I.C.S. program. Actual course offerings and enrollment are subject to the seminary’s semester schedule.

01 First Year

Year One

First Semester

Fall

  • Biblical Hermeneutics 3
  • New Testament Survey I 3
  • Church History 3
  • Mission Ecosystems 3
  • Theological Research Methods 1

Semester Total Credits 13

Second Semester

Spring

  • Spiritual Formation and Disciplines 3
  • New Testament Survey II 3
  • The Bible and Family 3
  • Survey of Theology 3
  • Introduction to Missiology 3

Semester Total Credits 15

Summer

Summer Term

Intercultural Studies Electives 2 credits

Mission Field Education 0 credits

02 Second Year

Year Two

First Semester

Fall

  • Pentateuch / Prophetic Books 3
  • Ecclesiology 2
  • Pastoral Counseling I 2
  • Intercultural Spiritual Leadership 3
  • Salvation and Evangelism 3
  • Intercultural Studies Electives 2

Semester Total Credits 15

Second Semester

Spring

  • Poetic and Wisdom Literature / Historical Books 3
  • Holy Spirit, Sanctification, and Discipleship 3
  • Intercultural Studies Electives 3
  • Intercultural Studies Electives 3
  • Mission Capstone Project 1

Semester Total Credits 13

Course arrangements may change based on actual offerings, faculty availability, and academic planning.

Participation in Church Life

Students must participate in the life of a local church throughout their studies, except during the first semester.

Transfer Students

  1. Students transferring from this seminary or from a master’s program at an ATS- or ATA-accredited seminary with a GPA of at least 3.00 (B, or 83.5%) may apply for transfer into this program in accordance with seminary policies.
  2. Please refer to the Transfer Credit Policy under Academic Regulations.

Graduation Requirements

1

Complete 58 credits as required with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (B).

2

Complete all required graduation clearance procedures.

3

Attend at least one pre-semester spiritual retreat before graduation.

4

Students who lack no more than three elective credits may apply to participate in that year’s commencement ceremony, provided they register for the summer intensive courses and complete the remaining credits before their diplomas are issued.