Prepare to reach the world for Christ, sharing God’s love and the life-giving truth of the gospel. You’ll receive training on cultural sensitivity, cross-cultural adaptation, language learning, and intercultural communications, plus practical experience to tie it all together.
Committed Christians require an increasing list of competencies and skills for ministry today. Most of the 3.14 billion people who have never heard of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior live in areas of the world experiencing unprecedented upheaval. Relief work, teaching, and skills training can provide opportunities for Christians to build relationships, evangelize, and disciple these people while they also provide practical help, sometimes in places that are closed to traditional missionaries.
Wherever God leads, you’ll be equipped to teach the Bible, build relationships, and show His love in practical ways.
Is Intercultural Studies the right major for you?
Yes, if:
- You enjoy learning about other cultures and languages, and languages come fairly easily to you.
- You are excited by the idea of living overseas, even if it means risk, discomfort, or ambiguity.
- You like to discover systems, solve puzzles, or imitate other people.
- You have the gift of mercy—you want to help the poor and marginalized in the name of Christ.
- You are a strategic thinker and enjoy leading others.
Career Options
As an intercultural studies major, you will be prepared to understand, engage, and minister to people in a variety of cultural contexts within the United States and around the world. Corban graduates are making a difference as:
- Missionaries
- Evangelists
- Teachers
- Chaplains
- Church Planters
- Non-profit leaders
Concentrations
The intercultural studies major begins with a core consisting of three essential areas: philosophy and theology of ministry, language learning and intercultural communication, and foundational concepts in the social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political science, economics and history). You may then choose to specialize in one of the following areas of intercultural service:
- General Intercultural Studies
- Language & Culture (Bible translation)
- TESOL (teaching English)
You can also choose to build a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor into this (or any) degree, which can open additional job opportunities and allow entrance into countries closed to traditional missionaries.
What You’ll Learn
The intercultural studies degree will give you a strong understanding of the biblical basis for missions, as well as help you develop your intercultural intelligence and competence, and language acquisition skills. You will also learn strategies to address contemporary geo-cultural realities and religious worldviews from a biblical perspective.
Your courses will vary based on which concentration you choose, but could include:
- Social Justice in Global Context
- Intercultural Communication
- Theology of Ministry
- Christian Ethics
- Teaching the Bible
- Missional Living
- Religious Movements
- Language & Culture Acquisition
- Cultural Anthropology
Learn what courses you’ll need to complete your degree.
Learn more about all you can expect as a student in Corban’s School of Ministry.