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The M.A. in Development Studies finds
the sweet spot where academia and activism meet.

Course Information

The M.A. in Development Studies is made up of five core courses, your choice of electives, and four areas of focus to choose from.

Core Course Descriptions

The purpose of this course is to provide a chronological overview of the historical and cultural aspects of the global development of the biblical faith, with special attention to the biblical foundations for addressing the roots of human problems around the world. The positive and negative impact of the Christian movement on culture and human development is examined as well as principles for effective cross-cultural communication of biblical faith.

This course provides learners with general knowledge of how national and global economics impact people’s well-being and their development. It equips them to better understand economic theories and models, draw on different strands of economics for their own work and challenge economic thinking more fruitfully when necessary. The learners will also be equipped to engage better with economists and policymakers on economic matters. 

The purpose of this course is to lead students to analyze contemporary trends in history, resistance to the gospel, and the advance of the Kingdom, in all parts of the world. International development and its relationship to “missions” will be explored from the perspective of international authors and practitioners.

This course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to do research in both the academic setting and in the practical world of development. The students will be equipped to develop meaningful research projects from the beginning to the end. 

WCIU’s MA in Development Studies aims to enhance the effectiveness of scholar-practitioners in their development work. Our students need to grow not only in scholarship, but even more in their ability to translate what they learn into increased effectiveness in the field. The Development Studies Applied Learning Course requires students to evaluate their current level of practice and then to work with a mentor/supervisor in the field to craft and implement a plan to enhance their international development practice.

Students develop a major project that integrates historical, biblical, and cultural principles to identify the root of a specific problem within a specific society and to propose solutions to that problem. Guidance is given by the instructor in selecting the topic, choosing and applying appropriate research methodologies, and in developing the final presentation.

Elective Course Descriptions

This course provides an understanding of the role of advocacy in development and equips the students with essential skills on how to undertake advocacy, empowerment of the marginalized, and pursuit of justice.  Students will engage in foundational theological analysis and reflections on issues of vulnerability, justice, and transformation; analyze situations of poverty and injustice; reflect on such situations with biblical lenses; and shape their perspective on engagement with people living in such situations. 

The course will provide skills on how to develop short-and-long-term plans at the organization and project levels to ensure the best use of resources and greatest reach and impact. 

This course explores God’s activity in history during the Old Testament era from a global perspective, with a chronological and interdisciplinary approach. This course has a strong emphasis on theology and the culture of the ancient Mediterranean world within the big picture of God’s activity and purposes in history.

This course introduces the concepts and skills of entrepreneurial and organizational leadership required to initiate new movement structures among the urban poor. Prerequisite: TUL 560.

This course introduces a redemptive entrepreneurial framework essential to developing sustainable resources in global urban settings. Practitioners and funders will share transformative models and inspire students to create their own fund development strategies.

This course relates biblical and theological perspectives to the theory and practice of community wealth building. Special emphasis is given to cooperatives, microenterprises, and entrepreneurship as a basis for asset building and ownership.

This course introduces women leaders who have contributed to the holistic transformation of the world. Students will survey women leaders, from the first century through the present. They will consider the impact of marriage and singleness and analyze case studies focusing on the interplay of culture, politics, and religion on gender equity. Finally, they will critique the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and potential effects on the next generation of girls.

This course seeks to establish a biblical and theological basis for women and men leading and using their gifts to enhance societal development, including their religious community. Students will participate in close textual analysis, which is helpful in communities that derive principles and practices of faith from sacred texts. Special consideration will be given to the impact of women and men’s partnership in advancing God’s reign.

A close-knit global cohort of women, under a faculty mentor as spiritual director, will examine our human spiritual needs in connection to the Holy Spirit and Triune God, building habits, including rest, silence and retreats, that nurture our souls. At a master’s level this engages conversation between multicultural identities, spiritual practices and faith traditions, sharing in how to develop self-care, so as to thrive long-term in transformative leadership of family, community and nations.

This course focuses on the major developments in China in the past four decades as they relate to international development, including China’s economic growth and its global impact, the Belt and Road Initiatives, trade war with the US, United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals vs China’s development efforts. Students will be able to read from primary sources concerning these areas and research in depth a specific area of development.

This course introduces emerging trends in Chinese culture and society. It covers the period of time from the beginning of China’s economic reform under Deng Xiaoping to the present and highlights key sociocultural and economic changes. These processes of changes are intimately interwoven in the fabrics of China in the past four decades as it has emerged as a major economic power of the world. Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth areas of interest within the scope of the course.

In this course, students read and research on significant historical and contemporary religious movements, particularly the dynamics and expressions of faith of Christian movements in modern China. Special attention will be given to the relevance of such religious movements to the revitalization of society and insights gleaned from these movements.

Areas of Focus

The Global Civilizations area of focus equips students to be catalysts for change by equipping them to view situations through the interdisciplinary lens of the Bible, culture, and history. It focuses on the wide scope of the growth and development of human civilization and examines religious and cultural phenomena. It places special emphasis on the growth of biblical faith in a variety of historical and cultural contexts.

Women participate and lead in international development globally. From grassroots projects to lobbying efforts, they contribute socially, economically, religiously, and politically to the welfare and flourishing of their communities. Moreover, when men and women work collaboratively, the benefits to the family, neighborhood, institution, and nation can grow exponentially in the mission to see God’s reign advance on the earth.

GWE 510 - Women in Development 
This course introduces women leaders who have contributed to the holistic transformation of the world. Using a biographical historical approach, students will survey women leaders from the first century through the present. They will consider the impact of marriage and singleness and analyze case studies focusing on the interplay of culture, politics, and religion on gender equity. Finally, they will critique the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and potential effects on the next generation of girls. The course culminates with students presenting final projects in areas of interest. 

GWE 610 - Women and Men in Leadership
This course seeks to establish a biblical and theological basis for women and men leading and using their gifts to enhance societal development, including their religious community. Students will participate in close textual analysis, which is helpful in communities that derive principles and practices of faith from sacred texts. Special consideration will be given to the impact of women and men’s partnership in advancing God’s reign. 

GWE 620 -  Spirituality of Women in Transformative Leadership
A close-knit global cohort of women, under a faculty mentor as spiritual director, will examine our human spiritual needs in connection to the Holy Spirit and Triune God, building habits including rest, silence, and retreats, that nurture our souls. At a master’s level, this engages conversation between multicultural identities, spiritual practices and faith traditions, sharing in how to develop self-care, so as to thrive long-term in transformative leadership of family, community and nations.

The China Studies area of focus is designed to enable students to evaluate key areas of the Chinese society, especially as they are related to the emerging trends in culture and society, history and dynamics of Christian movements, China, and international development. This area of focus also helps students develop an integrated vantage point through which they may explore further areas of interests within the general China studies field.

CS 510 - CHINA AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This course focuses on the major development in China in the past four decades as they relate to international development, including China’s economic growth and its global impact, the Belt and Road Initiatives, trade war with the US, United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and Sustainable Development Goals vs China’s development efforts. Students will be able to read from primary sources concerning these areas and research a specific area of development in depth. 

CS 610 - INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY CHINESE CULTURE AND SOCIETY
This course introduces emerging trends in Chinese culture and society. It covers the period of time from the beginning of China’s economic reform under Deng Xiaoping to the present, and highlights key socio-cultural and economic changes therewithin. These processes of changes are intimately interwoven throughout the fabric of China in the past four decades, allowing it to emerge as a major economic power of the world. Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth areas of interests within the scope of the course.

CS 620 - DYNAMICS OF CHRISTIAN REVITALIZATION MOVEMENTS IN CHINA
In this course, students read and research on significant Christian movements historically and contemporarily, particularly the dynamics and expressions of faith of Christian movements in contemporary China. Special attention will be given to the relevancy of such movements to the revitalization of society and insights gleaned from these movements.

TUL 500 – Biblical Theology in an Urban Context 
This course builds a biblical theology overview that connects the motif of the Kingdom of God to issues of poverty, oppression, community development, and church growth in urban poor communities. 

TUL 520 – Urban Spirituality 
This course expands theologies of the Holy Spirit and his work among the urban poor. It emphasizes care and nurturing of workers, practical application of the spiritual disciplines, and communicating between diverse understandings of the work of the Spirit.  

TUL 560 – Theology and Practice of Community Economics
This course relates biblical and theological perspectives to the theory and practice of community wealth building. Special emphasis is given to cooperatives, microenterprises, and entrepreneurship as a basis for asset building and ownership.

How To Get Your M.A. in Development Studies

 FAQs

Currently there is no Master's Thesis required for the MADS. However, there is a capstone project that students conduct in their final semester which is a culmination of the learning from the degree.

While it is true that advanced degrees do not lead to climbing the organizational ladder in cross-cultural NGOs, increased effectiveness does. Consider that you will be better equipped during and after your MADS degree from WCIU.

We have a more post-modern, cross-cultural approach than other similar programs where one size does not fit all. So, yes, often it is helpful to not have pre-packaged answers before starting the program. Our courses offer an emphasis on developing analytical skills related to the MADS three main interdisciplinary areas: Bible, cultural studies, and history. These areas will be developed in each student as part of the degree.

The usual MADS student is part-time and meets with students online. If a student is able to manage with their schedule, full-time is certainly possible.

 Do you have questions about our tuition costs or the admissions process?

Find out more on our admissions & tuition page.

This M.A. in Development Studies
will change your life. 

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