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Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies

This program of study facilitates an understanding of the Old and New Testaments with an emphasis on exegesis using advanced hermeneutics and various exegetical resources.

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. In addition to the 121 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 B.A. Intercultural Studies degree requires 40 courses + Student Orientation (or 121 credit hours), which can be completed in 4 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.

2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Tuition Rate

$220 per credit hour

Fees

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 NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
LIA 101Leadership in Action (Eight Semesters)Pass/Fail

Student Orientation

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
ENG 107Undergraduate Student Orientation1

Bible & Theology Nonelectives

Students Must Complete All Twenty-One Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
BIB 100Destiny and Calling3
BIB 101Old Testament Survey3
BIB 103New Testament Survey3
BIB 104Hermeneutics3
BIB 201Writings of John3
THE 101Introduction to Theology3
THE 301Kingdom of God3
Total Credit Hours:21

General Studies Nonelectives

Students Must Complete All Twenty-One Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
ENG 111College Writing3
ENG 112Research for Writing3
HST 101World History I: World History to 15003
HST 201World History II: World History Since 15003
MIS 301Cultural Anthropology3
MTH 211College Mathematics3
SCI 310Biology3
Total Credit Hours:21

Personal Formation Nonelectives

Select Any Six Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CLG 201Spiritual Formation3
LEA 220Mentoring and Coaching3
Total Credit Hours:6

Bible & Theology Electives

Select Any Nine Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
BIB 301Synoptic Gospels3
BIB 302Pauline Epistles and Leadership3
BIB 303Book of Romans3
BIB 330Book of Revelation3
BIB 401Book of Mark3
BIB 4111 Peter: Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation3
ELE 109Transfer/Substitution Elective (with Approval)3
HUM 110Survey of Biblical Literature3
THE 103Introduction to Apologetics3
THE 104Apologetics Issues for Cross-Cultural Engagement3
THE 201Systematic Theology I3
THE 202Systematic Theology II3
THE 300Writings of the Church3
Total Credit Hours:9

General Studies Electives

Select Any Six Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CNS 110General Psychology3
CNS 120Human Growth and Development3
CNS 130Introduction to Counseling3
ELE 101Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 102Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 103Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ENG 201The Writings of C.S. Lewis3
HST 302History of Great Leaders3
HST 320History of Missions3
HUM 101Introduction to Fine Arts3
HUM 130Communicating to Oral Cultures3
LEA 201Ethics3
MTH 230Introduction to Statistics3
PHL 101Philosophy and Worldview3
PHL 102World Religions3
Total Credit Hours:6

Open Electives

Select Any Eighteen Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CLG 145Leadership Practicum I (a)1.5
CLG 146Leadership Practicum I (b)1.5
CLG 211Church Life3
CLG 247Leadership Practicum II (a)1.5
CLG 248Leadership Practicum II (b)1.5
CLG 270Facilitating Leadership and Growth in Others3
CLG 282Personal Growth and Leadership3
CLG 351Changing the World by Making Disciples/Mentoring3
CLG 401Pastoral Ministry3
CLG 410Homiletics3
CLG 480Church Growth3
CNS 201Counseling I3
CNS 220Psychology of a Leader3
CNS 230Research Methods3
CNS 302Marriage & Family in Society3
ELE 104Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 105Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 106Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 107Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 108Transfer/Substitution Elective3
GRK 305Greek I(a)1.5
GRK 306Greek I(b)1.5
HEB 301Hebrew I3
LEA 210Christian Leadership3
LEA 310Introduction to Organizational Leadership3
LEA 330Foundations of Marketing3
MIS 130Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions3
MIS 200Missions and the Local Church3
MIS 201World Missions3
MIS 202Intercultural Communication I: General Focus3
MIS 311Intercultural Communication II: Middle East Focus3
MIS 312Intercultural Communication II: U.S. Indigenous Populations Focus3
PHL 120Philosophy of Leading Teams3
Total Credit Hours:18

Program Nonelectives

B.A.I.S. Students Take the Following Courses as a Part of Their Major

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CLG 410Homiletics3
ENG 495Senior Seminar & Capstone3
HST 320History of Missions3
LEA 201Ethics3
LEA 310Introduction to Organizational Leadership3
LEA 420Global and Cross Cultural Leadership3
LEA 440Collaborative Teams and Innovation3
MIS 130Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions3
MIS 200Missions and the Local Church3
MIS 201World Missions3
MIS 202Cross Cultural Ministry I: General Focus3
MIS 401Preparation for a Career in Missions3
Total Credit Hours:36

Program Electives

Intercultural Studies Students Select a Cross-Cultural Specialization

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
MIS 311Intercultural Communication II: Middle East Focus3
MIS 312Intercultural Communication II: U.S. Indigenous Populations Focus3
Total Credit Hours:3

Courses for Minor

Bachelor’s Degree students at Manna University may select an Academic Minor. Minors are 15 credit hour programs within the 121 credit hour Bachelor of Arts degree that indicate a specialization in an academic subject other than the Major. Christian Counseling students are not eligible to declare a Minor at this time.

Minor in Intercultural Studies

Intercultural Studies Minor students select any 15 credit hours.

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
MIS 130Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions3
MIS 200Missions and the Local Church3
MIS 201World Missions3
MIS 202Cross Cultural Ministry I: General Focus3
MIS 311Cross Cultural Ministry II: Middle East Focus3
MIS 312Cross Cultural Ministry II: U.S. Indigenous Populations Focus3
Total Credit Hours:15

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

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.  

Student Story

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.