Grace College

Programme overview

This residential Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with an Intercultural Studies emphasis is a 48-credit-hour seminary degree designed to prepare students for ministry in international, cross-cultural, and multicultural settings. The curriculum mixes Bible, theology, hermeneutics, spiritual formation and prayer with intercultural and missions coursework and includes a required six-credit internship. The programme is intended for those preparing for ministry roles such as administration, development, age-group ministry, leadership, church planting, and other support or vocational ministries.

What you'll study

Coursework covers foundational biblical and theological disciplines plus practical intercultural training. Example topics and courses included in the curriculum are:

• Intercultural Communication — principles and processes of effective communication in a second cultural context.
• Applied Cultural Anthropology — study of cultural roots and how culture shapes behavior relevant to ministry.
• Understanding and Engaging Culture — fitting evangelism, church planting, church development, and relief work into social and cultural contexts.
• Principles of Contextualization — adapting ministry practices to local cultural expressions.
• World Religions — belief systems of major religions studied to understand adherent behavior.
• Core seminary subjects — Bible, theology, hermeneutics, spiritual formation and prayer.
• A six-credit-hour required internship providing practical ministry experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants must normally hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent for international applicants) from a recognized institution and submit official transcripts and a spiritual life reference. International applicants must provide TESOL test scores and a financial certificate showing sufficient funding. Candidates from non-accredited pre-seminary institutions or those with pre-seminary GPAs below 2.5 may be admitted on academic restriction. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree but with significant ministry experience or partial college work may be considered under additional ministry and research/writing requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to serve in diverse domestic urban, cross-cultural, and international contexts. Typical roles listed for intercultural studies specialists include international or domestic church planter, missions agency employee or team member, international aid worker, NGO staff, relief organization executive, hospital or business chaplain, and related support or leadership positions in mission and ministry settings.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme page cites an approximate tuition of $470 per credit for the 48-credit MACM (totaling $22,560) and notes institutional aid may reduce the cost by up to $3,800; prospective students are advised to consult the institution's current tuition and fees page and financial aid office for up-to-date rates and assistance.