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Associate of Arts in Intercultural Studies
This program of study is designed to prepare emerging leaders for successful global leadership and ministry across a variety of cultural contexts.
Solid biblical training from accomplished faculty with years of ministry experience.
This program is designed to prepare students to engage in missions work in a cross-cultural or global setting. All of the courses within this program may also count toward one of the bachelor’s degree programs at Manna U. In addition to the 61 credit hours of academic studies, students are required to fulfill the Leadership in Action requirement.
Objectives
- Equip the student with the tools to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Give the student a sense of preparedness by providing practical ministry experience
- Equip the student to integrate Christian principles into critical thinking and decision-making in one’s personal and/or professional life.
- Give the student a working knowledge of Biblical concepts of global leadership to meet the needs of diverse audiences/targeted age groups and organizational settings.
- Equip the student to integrate a Biblical worldview into the practice of cross-cultural leadership in ministries and organizations.
- Give the student an understanding of intercultural studies from different perspectives, including anthropological, psychological, and theological insights, and to apply cross-cultural thinking to promote organizational and personal effectiveness.
- Equip the student with an understanding of historical and Biblical models and figures of intercultural leadership with their implications in a global context.
Time & Cost
Many people would like to complete a degree and stay out of debt.
The A.A. Intercultural Studies degree requires 20 courses + Student Orientation (or 61 credit hours), which can be completed in 2 years for full-time students. Courses are offered on-campus or online (can be entirely online). Manna U’s low tuition rates enable students to receive solid biblical training from accomplished faculty with years of ministry experience and not be hindered financially.
2023 - 2024 Undergraduate Tuition Rate
$230 per credit hour
Fees
- Application Fee: $50
- Library Fee: $75
- Technology Fee: $200 per semester
- Graduation Fee: $200
Scholarships are available for students who do not use military education benefits or federal financial aid.
Courses
Full details can be found in the 2022-2023 Graduate Academic Catalog.
Leadership in Action
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| LIA 101 | Leadership in Action (Four Semesters) | Pass/Fail |
Student Orientation
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| ENG 107 | Undergraduate Student Orientation | 1 |
Bible & Theology Nonelectives
Students Must Complete All Twenty-One Credit Hours
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| BIB 100 | Destiny and Calling | 3 |
| BIB 101 | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| BIB 103 | New Testament Survey | 3 |
| BIB 104 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
| BIB 201 | Writings of John | 3 |
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| THE 301 | Kingdom of God | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 | |
English Nonelectives
All Students Must Take ENG 111 & ENG 112
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| ENG 111 | College Writing | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Research and Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 | |
Math or Science Elective
Select Any Three Credit Hours
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MTH 211 | College Mathematics | 3 |
| MTH 230 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| SCI 310 | Biology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 | |
Personal Formation Nonelectives
Students Must Complete All Six Credit Hours
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| CLG 201 | Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| LEA 220 | Mentoring and Coaching | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 | |
Ministry Electives
Select Any Twelve Credit Hours
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| HUM 130 | Communicating to Oral Cultures | 3 |
| MIS 130 | Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions | 3 |
| MIS 200 | Missions and the Local Church | 3 |
| MIS 201 | World Missions | 3 |
| MIS 202 | Intercultural Communication I: General Focus | 3 |
| THE 103 | Introduction to Apologetics | 3 |
| THE 104 | Apologetic Issues for Cross-Cultural Engagement | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |
Open Electives
Select Any Twelve Credit Hours
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | ||
| CLG 145 | Leadership Practicum I(a) | 1.5 | ||
| CLG 146 | Leadership Practicum I(b) | 1.5 | ||
| CLG 211 | Church Life | 3 | ||
| CLG 247 | Leadership Practicum II(a) | 1.5 | ||
| CLG 248 | Leadership Practicum II(b) | 1.5 | ||
| CLG 270 | Facilitating Leadership and Growth in Others | 3 | ||
| CLG 282 | Personal Growth and Leadership | 3 | ||
| CLG 351 | Changing the World by Making Disciples/Mentoring | 3 | ||
| CLG 401 | Pastoral Ministry | 3 | ||
| CLG 410 | Homiletics | 3 | ||
| CLG 480 | Church Growth | 3 | ||
| CNS 201 | Counseling I | 3 | ||
| CNS 220 | Psychology of a Leader | 3 | ||
| CNS 230 | Research Methods | 3 | ||
| CNS 302 | Marriage & Family in Society | 3 | ||
| ELE 104 | Transfer/Substitution Elective | 3 | ||
| ELE 105 | Transfer/Substitution Elective | 3 | ||
| ELE 106 | Transfer/Substitution Elective | 3 | ||
| ELE 107 | Transfer/Substitution Elective | 3 | ||
| ELE 108 | Transfer/Substitution Elective | 3 | ||
| GRK 305 | Greek I(a) | 1.5 | ||
| GRK 306 | Greek I(b) | 1.5 | ||
| LEA 210 | Christian Leadership | 3 | ||
| LEA 310 | Introduction to Organizational Leadership | 3 | ||
| LEA 330 | Foundations of Marketing | 3 | ||
| MIS 130 | Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions | 3 | ||
| MIS 200 | Missions and the Local Church | 3 | ||
| MIS 201 | World Missions | 3 | ||
| MIS 202 | Intercultural Communication I: General Focus | 3 | ||
| MIS 311 | Intercultural Communication II: Middle East Focus | 3 | ||
| MIS 312 | Intercultural Communication II: U.S. Indigenous Populations Focus | 3 | ||
| PHL 120 | Philosophy of Leading Teams | 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 | |||
Admissions
To become a student at Manna U, follow these two steps:
1. Complete an application, which includes:
- A non-refundable application fee of $50 (linked to application)
- An essay, written by the applicant, of his/her conversion experience (300-600 words), in a format that is typed and double spaced, using 12 pt. font size;
- A Pastoral Reference* from the Pastor of the church that the applicant regularly attends;
- A Personal Reference* from someone who has known you for two years or more and is not related to you.
* Applicants will enter an email address for their selected references and a link to the online reference forms will be sent once the application is submitted.
2. Order your official high school, G.E.D., or previous college transcripts (minimum 2.0 GPA is preferred).
Note: official transcripts are sent directly from one school/college to another. You can arrange to have your transcripts sent electronically to registrar@manna.edu, or a paper copy can be sent to our mailing address:
Manna University
Attn: Registrar’s Office
439 Westwood Shopping Center
PMB 106
Fayetteville, NC 28314
All applicants applying for admission to one of Manna U’s graduate programs must submit official transcripts showing an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent academic achievement approved by Manna U’s Academic Office. Students who plan to use military education benefits must submit transcripts from high school and all colleges attended.
Students who plan to use military education benefits must submit transcripts from high school and all colleges attended.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I required to go on a mission trip as a part of this program?
Currently, no. However, students may take MIS 410- Missions Practicum to directly tie field experience to their academic study.
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Do your faculty have experience in cross-cultural communications and ministry?
Yes! Our faculty have diverse experience working cross-culturally in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and among North American Indigenous Peoples.
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How does this degree equip me to minister cross-culturally?
This program emphasizes principles of leadership and cultural aptitude to make you an effective communicator and leader in a cross-cultural setting.
Emalee's Story
Like most of today’s college students, Emalee leads a busy life. Fitting in time for studies was a challenge on top of work and serving in her local church, but she gleaned many insights that changed her life.
“The Intercultural studies program is made to push the student to see different cultures in a new light. This was great for me because it showed me how to properly research cultures, as well as understand what they believe based off of the culture as a whole.”
Effective Leaders Bring Lasting Impact
Jesus chose twelve leaders who were from differing backgrounds. Many religious leaders in that time would have overlooked them. Through teaching and training, He prepared them to lead a movement that changed the world. Whatever your call may be, training at Manna U can help you engage in this kind of transformational leadership.
