Skip to main content

Courses | M.A. in Intercultural Studies

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For more program details, including graduation requirements and learning outcomes, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Program Description

The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is a 39-credit program. For the qualified applicant with extensive undergraduate work in intercultural studies/missions, it may be reduced to a minimum of 30 credits.

Curriculum Requirements

Program Courses
ISAN 761Culture and Transformation3
or ISCL 711 Dynamics of the Religious Experience
ISCL 520Interpersonal and Intercultural Adjustment3
or ISCL 709 Intercultural Communication
ISCL 742History of the World Christian Movement3
ISCL 750Issues in Contextualization/Cross-Cultural Theology3
or ISCL 751 Theology of Mission
ISCL 695Master of Arts Comprehensive Examination0
Select one of the following:3
Ethnographic Research Methods
Economic Anthropology
Social Anthropology
Graduate Research in Intercultural Studies
Bible/Theology Courses
Students may select Bible/Theology courses from a wide range of courses taught by the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. Students with no formal biblical/theological training prior to entering the program must have the selection approved by the program director. Students may also select:6
Theology of Culture
Spiritual Conflicts in Cross-Cultural Context
Issues in Spiritual Warfare
Narrative in Scripture and Teaching
Theology of Mission
Acts: Biblical and Missiological
Topics in Biblical Theology from a Missiological Perspective
Elective Courses
Select 18 credits of advisor-approved electives 118
Total Credits39
1

Students who do not have to take required electives are encouraged to choose a combination of electives most suitable for their career goals. Students may also choose to focus electives in areas of specialization such as anthropology, missiology, cross-cultural education, Bible and theology, Bible translation, linguistics, TESOL, church planting, cross-cultural health care, urban ministries, etc. Students desiring a graduate certificate in TESOL in conjunction with their intercultural studies degree must also apply to the Department of ALT.

Students who are not proficient in a second language will also be required to take one of the courses listed below as a required elective. (Proficiency standards for a second language will be determined by the M.A. advisor in consultation with intercultural studies faculty. See student handbook for standards.)

Students who have not previously taken a course in cultural anthropology will be required to take the course below as a required elective.

You may also be interested in