Intercultural Studies M.A.

Master of Arts 

School of Ministry

With the ever-increasing cultural and religious diversity of societies across the globe, Christian leaders today need formation in intercultural approaches to communication, worship, theology, and ministry. The MA in Intercultural Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University offers the opportunity for advanced theological engagement with pressing missiological questions in light of Scripture and the rich heritage of Christian faith and practice.
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Our context is important to us. We recognize and draw on the valuable resources offered by our location in South Florida. Few places are better situated for a truly intercultural and interconfessional education. Over 68 percent of the population is comprised of ethnic and racial minorities, and half of all residents speak a language other than English. PBA’s interculturally experienced faculty represent this same diversity along with a unique depth of cultural and missiological experience and training.
 
Our welcoming community will provide opportunities for you to interact with classmates and professors from around the world. You will enhance your understanding of world Christianity and learn practical skills for ministering more effectively in pluralistic societies in the U.S. and around the world.

 

What Can I Do With This Degree?

  • Teach social science or cultural studies courses at high school and university undergraduate levels
  • International missions work
  • Church staff for intercultural/missions ministries
  • Community development work
  • Policy analysis
  • Cross-cultural communications expert with para-church organizations, churches and intercultural businesses

 

Program Details

Distinctively PBA 

The School of Ministry is all about equipping. We equip passionate young people with the earthly tools and spiritual perspective needed to create positive change in the world guided by the Word of God. We promise a connected, engaging and fulfilling learning experience that will equip you to use your gifts for His Glory. Our programs prepare students through expert instruction in Bible, theology, history and real-world ministry skills. PBA’s multi-cultural, multi-denominational environment is the perfect to prepare our seminary students for dynamic gospel ministries in an ever-changing world. 
 
As a student majoring in any of the graduate programs offered in the School of Ministry, you’ll wade into an ocean of diverse learning opportunities designed to prepare you to positively impact lives.
 
  • Gain specialized training in ministry
  • Experience spiritual growth with a deeper understanding of God and His Word
  • Practice your ministry abilities through internships, practicum experiences and field service activities
  • Learn in a supportive community

An Innovative Degree:

We give our students practical experience and theological depth in critical areas at the intersection of intercultural studies and ministry today:
  • Theology of reconciliation, missiology, ecclesiology, world Christianity, and theology of religions, along with practical skills for leadership in these fields.
  • Life-changing scholarly and ministerial training that will form you for intercultural engagement and leadership, empirical research, and PhD studies for those interested in pursuing doctoral work.
  • Intercultural communication training formed by the ancient Christian practices of kerygma (proclamation), leiturgia (worship), diakonia (service), koinonia (community building).
  • Learning from faculty with a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds and nationalities.
We seek to create a diverse learning community using an online learning model combined with dedicated time at our West Palm Beach or Orlando campuses over two weeks in the summer, with placements and opportunities for study outside the U.S. We seek to provide scholarships to help our students flourish.
 

Program’s key differentiators:

Lower number of credit hours and tuition cost than most other intercultural, missiology, or cross-cultural master’s programs. Can be completed in two years. A faculty with a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds and nationalities and many years of intercultural and missiological experience.
 

Program Course Details:

The expectation is that student will be able to complete the degree program within two years. Two classes will be offered per semester; fall and spring courses will be eight-weeks online (one at a time, A and B terms), and summer classes will be four weeks each (A and B terms) and include one-week seminars on campus in West Palm Beach and Orlando (two weeks total). Thus, summer courses will consist of an online and on campus component.
 

Learn more

Courses 

Learn more about your classes and requirements in the course catalog. 

Tuition & Fees

If you have a vision of a listening and deeply missional church or if you are simply captivated by diversity and the call to truly communicate the gospel interculturally, we’re the program for you!