Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies

Students in all of the professional MA programs at DTS will be able to:

• demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, including a synthetic understanding of the major books;
• evidence an understanding of the historical development of theology, a knowledge of premillennial theology, and an ability to support their theological views and apply them to contemporary issues; and
• evidence an increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Spirit.

In addition to the goals common to all professional degree programs at the seminary, students in this program will be able to:

• communicate the good news of Jesus Christ effectively and selflessly to make disciples in diverse cultural settings;
• evidence a biblical and theological basis for serving in missions;
• understand and apply foundational principles of anthropology, ethnology, and sociology in relation to intercultural service; and
• create a practical vision for loving and serving the global church.

Sixty-six semester hours of course work are required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 22 are in prescribed Bible Exposition courses, 18 in prescribed Systematic Theology courses, and 3 are in the Christian Life and Witness course. There are 12 hours of prescribed Missiology and Intercultural Ministry courses and a 2-hour MAIS Ministry Formation Internship. The remaining 9 hours are missiology electives. Department professors will assist students in designing the most appropriate program of missions electives for the student’s personal career goals.

Department professors will assist students in designing the most appropriate program electives for each student’s intended intercultural ministry. When appropriate, professors may also assist in forming student cohorts. Missiology and Intercultural Ministries electives should be selected as follows:

• 1 Contexts course – 3 credit hours
• 1 Strategic Approaches course – 3 credit hours
• 1 Biblical and Theological Studies course – 3 credit hours

Students are required to complete an intercultural internship as a part of their program. This internship will be crafted on the basis of the student's intended ministry objectives. Some portion of the internship might require an overseas component, depending on the student's ministry goals. The acceptability of this experience is determined by the Department of Missiology and Intercultural Ministries and the Ministry Formation office. Those interested in the TESOL certificate must take TESOL courses in addition to missions electives. This will require an additional 10 or 11 hours of coursework.

No thesis is required for the MAIS degree.

Students in the MA in Intercultural Studies (MAIS) program are required to take MinistrySafe’s Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. 

Because DTS values Christlike character and spiritual maturity, MAIS students are required to register for and participate in Spiritual Formation groups for four consecutive fall and spring semesters at either the Dallas, Houston, or Washington DC campus. (MAIS students who are not planning to move to Dallas or Houston for four consecutive fall and spring semesters must contact the Spiritual Formation office and apply for an alternative program for completing their Spiritual Formation requirement.)

In the Spiritual Formation curriculum, small groups of five to seven students focus on identity, community, integrity, and fidelity. The groups also provide an atmosphere for prayer, fellowship, and the integration of learning with life and ministry. Because students participate in the same group during four consecutive semesters, they should plan their schedules so they may meet on the same day and at the same time each semester. Spiritual Formation is a noncredit, transcripted experience. Internship prerequisites include successful completion of SF5100-1, MIM5205, and completion of half of their DTS course work.