- Are you curious about your Christian faith and history?
- Do you enjoy listening and learning from those different from you?
- Would you like to apply the skills of ministry and scholarship to global Christian service and leadership, becoming the hands and feet of Christ in our hurting world?
The Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University offers an online Master of Arts in Global Service designed to prepare you for a life of international ministry. You’ll analyze contemporary global issues, learning what it means to appreciate cultural differences to effectively share God’s love across borders.
If you feel called to a ministry that requires living, working, and communicating in the intercultural contexts typical of today’s global society, you’ll find a community of fellow learners, disciples, and mentors eager to support you in your journey.
Global Service Program Outcomes
ACU’s Master of Arts in Global Service is a 48-credit-hour program that provides an innovative, real-world curriculum that equips Christian leaders for service in global contexts. You’ll leave the program theologically formed, missiologically adept, and interculturally competent. This multicultural ministry program prepares you to be effective in:
- Practicing theology appropriately in contemporary cultural contexts.
- Interpreting contemporary contexts in light of your Christian faith.
- Demonstrating familiarity with current missiological and global-service challenges and issues.
- Integrating theology, history, anthropology, and methodology in missional practices, such as planting and nurturing responsible, reproducing churches.
- Demonstrating the skills and commitments necessary for spiritual maturity as a Christian leader in multicultural settings.
Curriculum and Delivery
The Global Service program is both academically rigorous and imminently practical. It integrates theology, sociology, anthropology, history, and communication theory. The education you receive through the Graduate School of Theology at ACU prepares you for an effective ministry in Christian service and leadership in the United States and abroad. Not only do you receive a strong academic foundation for theological inquiry, you enjoy the chance to deepen your own spiritual growth for a closer walk with Christ through the world.
We combine web-based coursework with face-to-face learning to create an incredibly flexible and inspiring educational experience. The program is comprised of Core, Witness, and Mission courses and includes a thesis option. A sampling includes:
Core Courses (12 credit hours)
- Foundations of the Theology of Ministry
- Foundations of Missional Practice
- Church and Mission
Witness (18 credit hours)
- Christian Mission in Global Contexts
- Teaching Scripture in Contemporary Contexts
- History of Christianity I and II: Early to Medieval; Reformation to Present
- Systematic Theology I
Mission (18 credit hours)
- Reading and Engaging Contemporary Cultures
- Leadership in Intercultural Contexts
- Supervised Research in Missions
- Witness in Global Contexts
ACU’s online Master of Arts in Global Service program requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students with extensive undergraduate studies in Bible, religion, and ministry may receive up to 12 hours of advanced standing.
Accreditation, Financial Aid, and Scholarships
The Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This guarantees that our programs and faculty are of the highest quality. Each faculty member is an expert in his or her field and is equally adept at building supportive relationships with ACU students.
Students must complete all master’s degree requirements within 10 years and doctoral degree requirements within six years. The degree requirements are the same for both residential and online students.
Online students may be eligible for financial aid programs including student loans and grants. Additionally, the Graduate School of Theology awards scholarships that cover part of a student’s tuition. Most Graduate School of Theology students receive scholarships each year. To be eligible, a student must be planning to do full-time ministry after graduation. The Graduate School of Theology also awards many graduate assistantships for residential students each year.
If you’re ready to join ACU Online’s vibrant, virtual, Christ-centered community and pursue your path to an effective global service ministry, we’d love to hear from you.