Check out our upcoming courses below. If you have questions about a particular course, you can reach out to the faculty member or email info@wciu.edu and someone from our enrollment team will gladly help you!

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. An overview is given of the past and present with focus on understanding factors that enabled the biblical faith to continue to expand its ideal of "shalom" and implement transformational strategies in developing nations. The positive and negative impact of religion on culture and human development is examined as well as principles for effective crosscultural communication of biblical faith and practice.

This course leads students to analyze the history of development and its trend, biblical and theological reflections related to development, the role of culture and worldview, shalom and Kingdom and their relationship to international development, all of which explored from the perspective of international authors and practitioners. The framework of development, integrating multiple perspectives, is clearly identifiable through the readings and learning activities. 

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. 

This course introduces environmental relief, development, and advocacy (RDA) under the term “creation care” as a vital missional function of the Church. Students will consider five foundations of creation care based on the science of the current ecological crisis, Old and New Testament teachings, indigenous worldview, and the values/virtues which sustain a creation care practitioner. Students will consider how these foundations inform models—both theoretical and real—of practical creation care projects.

This 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 the greatest reach and impact.

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 improved performance in the field. The 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 development practice.

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.

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 explores the dynamics of leadership within holistic, urban poor movements. Special emphasis is given to urban religious movements, social movements, civil sector organizational leadership models and citywide leadership networks for proclamation, revival and transformation. It includes being part of a conference leadership team. 

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 focuses on developing and improving preschool, elementary school, and vocational school education in global slums as integral to the work of urban poor churches. Topics include philosophy of education among the poor, and the course includes a practical project evaluating school effectiveness, models of community-based (slum) schooling, curriculum development, long-term management, and financial viability.