Master of Arts in Multicultural Engagement
Bring God’s love to other cultures–both home and abroad
Overview
What is it?
The M.A. in Multicultural Engagement prepares men and women for God-centered, transformational leadership in cross-cultural missional settings both at home and abroad.
Who is it for?
If you have a passion for making disciples and seeing Christ’s Great Commission fulfilled, this program is for you. Whether you are just beginning your journey in missions or are an experienced veteran, you will deepen your knowledge, skills, and effectiveness in drawing others to Christ.
Why?
The gospel message never changes, but in a constantly changing world missions must adapt to reach the most people for the Lord. Learn and experience exciting new holistic approaches that uplift communities, promote global understanding, and advance God’s Kingship among all nations.
Distinctive
It is offered Online with a Competency-Based Education (CBE) model. DCC worked with experts in the field to define the competencies.
What Does Competency-Based Online Education Mean for You?
You control the Speed
How Does That Work?
- Begin any time of year with self-paced learning–no waiting for a class to show up on the schedule.
- When you believe you have mastered a competency, you do an assessment with the faculty mentor. When you pass that assessment (which can be taken more than once), you move on to the next competency.
- Focus on 19 competencies needed in the field with learning activities to develop each competency—no busy work!
- Graduate credit for what you already know or have experienced—no wasted time taking classes you do not need!
- Graduate when declared “Competent” in all required areas—field ready!
Bottom Line: The more time you are willing to work on it, the faster you will get done with the program.
You control the Cost
How does that work?
- Pay a subscription fee to access learning activities and an assessment fee for each competency—no traditional tuition!
- Pay the subscription fee only as long as you need access—the faster you master the competencies, the fewer subscription fees you pay!
- You only pay once for each competency assessment.
Note: The subscription fee is paid for access in each of three terms per year.
You control When & Where
How does that work?
- Online learning—accessible anywhere!
- You can work at your pace and anywhere you have a good internet connection (there are videos to watch).
- Any synchromous (in real time) work (such as an oral assessment) will be scheduled to work with your schedule and can be done remotely.
- If your sending agency agrees, you may even be able to do some of the work while on the field.
Developed in Partnership with Pioneer Bible Translators
PBT Partnership. Dallas Christian College developed the Multicultural Engagement pro-gram in close collaboration with Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) and other organiza-tions active around the globe. These partners make invaluable contributions to the MA program in the form of student advising, expert instructors, graduate placement, and guidance from practitioners in the field on needs that influence program content.
Program Highlights
Competency-Based Education emphasizing the acquisition and application of specific knowledge, skills, and dispositions relevant to multicultural engage-ment and cross-cultural mission work.
A Flexible Learning Environment designed to accommodate working professionals with diverse needs in various locations balance academic pur-suits with other commitments.
Biblical Foundations ground students in God’s redemptive vision for Creation and Christian principles for multicultural engagement.
Cross-Cultural Capabilities. The program focuses on developing cultural intelligence, emphasizing the ability to navigate varied cultural contexts with appreciation and understanding.
Community Engagement and Missional Service. A hallmark of this program is its emphasis on practical experience for missionaries and other cross-cultural workers.
Ethical Leadership Across Cultures forms a central theme, preparing students to lead in multicultural settings with understanding, compassion, and integrity.
Global Perspectives. The curriculum incorporates global perspectives on multicultural engagement, preparing graduates to navigate both local and international contexts.
Linda Whitmer, Ph.D. | lwhitmer@dallas.edu
Program Director: M.A. in Multicultural Engagement
More About Competency-Based Education (CBE)
Competency-Based Educational (CBE) programs approach education differently than traditional credit-hour systems with grades, grade-point averages, and the ability to graduate even with low grades in some courses. To graduate from a CBE program, students must demonstrate mastery of every required competency through direct assessment. CBE emphasizes the acquisition and application of specific knowledge, skills, and dispositions relevant to a work setting and academic discipline. This model ensures that graduates are not only well-versed in theoretical concepts but also capable of applying their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in real-world scenarios.
Since students are moving forward in the program by demonstrating competencies, they progress at their own pace. If a student has a strong foundation in a competency, it may take little time to reach the point to be ready to assess that competency. If mastery is demonstrated, the student moves on to another competency—even if it only took three weeks to get it done. A student does not need to wait until the next term to move forward.
Program Competencies
Master of Arts in Multicultural Engagement
Multicultural Engagement Core Competencies (24 credits)
ANTH 5110 Analysis of Religions1
ANTH 5120 Participatory Research Methods1
ANTH 5130 Ethnographic Research1
ANTH 5210 Applied Anthropology2
ANTH 6120 Worldview Analysis1
ANTH 6110 Local Theologies1
ANTH 6130 Dynamics of Cultural Change1
MCEN 5210 Spiritual Formation2
MCEN 5220 Cross-Cultural Team Dynamics2
MCEN 5310 Textual Metanarratives3
MCEN 5330 Fostering Transformational Communities3
MCEN 5340 Promoting Engagement3
MCEN 6330 Cross-Cultural Leadership3
Plus 12-13 credits in the areas of Belief System Competencies and Electives for a total of 36-37 credits. Download full degree plan.