PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION

Links BIBLICAL STUDIES | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION | COUNSELING | INTERCULTURAL & URBAN STUDIES | PASTORAL STUDIES | THEOLOGY

INTERCULTURAL AND URBAN STUDIES

Levels Graduate Diploma | Master of Arts | Master of Divinity

At ATS, we believe that Christ sends the whole church to the whole world----both locally and globally - a world that is increasingly more urban and more culturally complex. To that end, ATS has two major foci to its missions program: Cross-cultural and Urban. To address local and global cross-cultural needs, ATS will prepare evangelists, church planters, mission administrators, missionaries and missionary candidates to be more effective communicators of the gospel in cross-cultural contexts, particularly in Asian and 10/40 window countries and urban centers.

Resident Faculty
Dr. Ginnei Thang Ngaihte (Chair)
Dr. Larry W. Caldwell
Dr. Lorisa Socorro A. De Boer
Dr. Glicerio M. Manzano, Jr.

Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Anastacio A. Escobar, Jr.
Dr. Anne C. Kwantes
Dr. Minho Song

• GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERCULTURAL & URBAN STUDIES (G.Dip.I.U.S.)

The Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies and Urban Studies is designed to improve the qualifications and skills of pastors, evangelists, church planters, church workers, mission administrators, traditional and tentmaking missionaries and missionary candidates who desire training at the graduate level, but who, for various reasons, choose not to complete the M.A. or M.Div. degree at this time in their lives. It aims to develop Christian practitioners who are able to initiate and sustain evangelism, discipleship, and church planting efforts in culturally sensitive, holistic and transformational ways. It emphasizes the practical dimensions of ministry with many of the courses requiring outof-
classroom exposure and research trips. It contains most of the missions concentration courses included in the M.A. and M.Div. programs. Students are also required to participate in a care group for one semester.

ONE-YEAR PROGRAM (10 Courses = 30 Units)

• Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies (M.A.IUS)

The purpose of the Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies is threefold. First of all, it is designed to prepare pastors, evangelists, church planters, church workers, mission administrators, traditional and tentmaking missionaries and missionary candidates to be more effective communicators of the gospel in both multi-cultural and cross-cultural contexts, particularly in Asian and 10/40 window countries and urban centers. The students will develop a spirituality that integrates biblical/theological
perspectives into a framework for doing missions ministry. They will become theologically informed and grow personally, professionally and spiritually. Using a series of nine Bible and Theology courses the M.A. core curriculum will ground the students in the Scriptures. Second, the program is designed (primarily through the Plan A, thesis track) to give qualified missions students extended time to analyze a current or future mission strategy, or a particular mission problem, that will result in enhanced current or future missions strategy. Third, it is designed (through Plan B, non-thesis track) to give Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies students options for further biblical studies and missions coursework.

The Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies, being a two-year program, gives students the opportunity to earn a degree while at the same time getting them to the field of service within an expedient time frame. This program builds upon the Graduate Diploma in Intercultural and Urban Studies. In addition to classroom studies, Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies students are required to complete one summer of internship and participate in care groups for two semesters.

Plan A : Thesis Track
TWO -YEAR PROGRAM (20 Courses = 60 Units)

Plan B: Non - Thesis Track
TWO-YEAR PROGRAM (20 Courses = 60 Units)

• Master of Divinity in Intercultural and Urban Studies (M.Div. IUS)

The Master of Divinity in missions is designed to meet the needs of those students who are called to a career as pastors, evangelists, church planters, church workers, mission administrators and traditional and tentmaking missionaries, particularly in Asian and 10/ 40 window countries and urban centers. As a M.Div. program, this major includes the biblical and theological grounding needed for professional ministry. Key objectives of this major include holistic formation (academic, spiritual, and professional) and praxis (the integration of theory and praxis). In addition to classroom studies, Master of Divinity in
Intercultural and Urban Studies students are required to complete one internship and participate in care groups for three semesters.

THREE-YEAR PROGRAM (30 Courses = 90 Units)