Master of Arts in
International Development
The purpose of the M.A. degree in International Development is to provide international development workers with an understanding of the social, cultural, and religious factors that have affected global development throughout history. This study seeks to discover the roots of human problems, analyzing past and present attempts to address these problems and evaluating how they might be addressed more effectively in the future.
The problems of human development can be effectively addressed only if their root causes are understood, not just the resultant symptoms. These root causes lie deep within the socio-cultural systems and worldviews of both individual societies and the emerging global civilization. By studying the history, religions, and cultures of emerging world civilization, workers with international NGOs are able to understand these systems sufficiently to identify the roots of human problems, critique the attempts made to solve them, and propose more effective strategies for sustainable social development and community wholeness.
As WCIU’s primary constituency is faith-based NGOs, special reference is made in this program to the study of the Judeo-Christian scriptures and traditions for the particular light they shed on both the roots of human problems around the world and the attempts, past and present, to solve them.
The curriculum lays a basic foundation for graduate education. The course work is set out in a study guide with lessons, reading assignments in textbooks, etc. Students are also expected to learn by teaching; they are to pass on to another person or small group some aspects of their lessons, thereby gaining teaching experience as they progress in their studies. Each week students meet with their mentors to discuss the daily lessons and their teaching experiences. Research papers, integrative papers, and Capstone Projects are sent to WCIU for grading. The degree program thus combines both distance education and direct contact with an appointed mentor, who might also be mentoring the students in their non-academic work or service responsibilities.
A strong emphasis is placed on mentoring: from mentor to students, and from students to those they in turn are teaching. It also focuses on a standard foundational curriculum that integrates insights from a wide range of disciplines.
WCIU primarily exists to provide foundational education for proven leaders: those working cross-culturally with NGO's, bicultural leaders / scholars from the Global South and globally minded members of churches from North America. Each student must receive a referral from an NGO recognized by WCIU, such as a mission agency or a local church. All students must be able to study in English.
Service to Voluntary Organizations
The M.A. in International Development is designed to meet the needs of WCIU’s constituency of voluntary organizations, many of which are faith based, focusing on cross-cultural service, and those individuals affiliated with such organizations.
Thus, those accepted into WCIU’s M.A. will likely come:
Quality control in this field-based program is maintained by the role of campus faculty and local mentors for students. The term mentor is used to refer to the person who guides students through the M.A. in International Development. Since this study program has a standard set of readings and assignments for all students, the role of the mentor focuses on weekly discussion/coaching sessions and guidance in students' efforts to pass along their newly acquired insights to others. Mentors normally should hold at least a master's degree in a relevant field and have practical service or other professional experience.
On completion of this degree program, students will be able to:
Cognitive
Historical Studies on Development
1. Analyze different historical and contemporary issues to identify root causes of problems, in light of the purpose of history, and evaluate attempts to deal with those problems. [This combines several Module Outcomes that appear in all modules.]
Cultural and Sociological Studies on Development
2. Analyze the rise and impact of different socio-cultural, socio-economic and political systems, and science and technology systems, to explain how change occurred within and across major social and cultural regions from earliest times to the present.
Religious and Philosophical Studies on Development
3. Analyze different religious and ideological movements and worldviews to explain how change occurred within and across major social and cultural regions from earliest times to the present.
Biblical Studies
4. Analyze early and modern understandings of major teachings of the Bible in order to explain the story of the Bible in its historical, cultural, literary, and theological contexts, including the missiological purpose of God for all peoples.
Synthesis
5. Apply the study of the purposes of God in history and the development in societies throughout history to working cross-culturally in today’s globalized world, including critiquing and proposing development strategies, especially those of faith-based NGOs that address the roots of human problems.
Affective
6. Show an appreciation of the cultural and religious diversity among human societies and the value of each culture and religion.
7. Reflect critically on their own culture and worldview and the implications for understanding the roots of human problems.
8. Exhibit the values of life-long learning, reflection, and service characteristic of voluntary international development agencies.
Skills
9. Apply appropriate hermeneutical methods and tools to the study of biblical texts and other sacred literature, with special reference to use of inductive methods and basic Hebrew and Greek language skills in studying biblical words, concepts, and books
10. Communicate with others in culturally appropriate ways the results of their study and its application to international development.
11. Engage in scholarly research using the appropriate literary, historical, biblical and social science methods and tools, and communicate the results in appropriate academic language and forms.
AdmissionUniversity Admission Requirements
Admission to WCIU is open to people whose goals are in accord with the University’s purpose, who are willing to abide by the University’s policies, whose educational objectives may be met by WCIU’s programs, who are seriously committed to academic excellence, who show promise of success in their pursuit of an education, and who are self-reliant, flexible, and willing to sacrifice in breaking new ground in international service appropriate to today’s complex world.
In keeping with WCIU’s mission and purpose, admission to University programs typically is granted to current and potential workers who are involved in cross-cultural service with its constituency of faith-based voluntary organizations in the evangelical Protestant tradition. WCIU expects all who are studying under our guidance to be working toward a degree.
As a community committed to service, WCIU seeks to maintain an environment that is conducive to a cooperative lifestyle based on sound ethical values. Students and staff are expected to abide by University policies that enhance community life and to act with consideration toward others, maintaining a high standard of moral conduct in line with expectations of its constituency of faith-based NGOs. Individuals are encouraged to develop their own personal lifestyles based on these principles.
WCIU policies prohibit the use of violence, firearms (security personnel excepted), non-prescribed drugs, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages in all University facilities, grounds and activities
Nondiscrimination . Within the context of its announced commitment to the expectations and values of the world of faith-based voluntary agencies engaged in international development, WCIU does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, marital status, or physical disability.
Master of Arts Admissions Qualifications
Admission to graduate degree programs is granted to those whose records indicate their ability to pursue advanced study and research. Additionally, admission to the Master of Arts program requires:
An applicant may also be admitted conditionally to the M.A. in International Development program without a bachelor's degree who:
1. has at least five years of significant professional experience with one or more NGO's focused on international development, and
2. meets the following qualifications:
1. is aged 30 years or older, and
2. has successfully completed at least 60 semester units of postsecondary academic course work with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and
3. scores a high pass on WCIU's English Language Skills Assessment Test, and
4. exhibits other evidence of academic ability, such as submitting a list of books or articles read independently for study and personal growth, submitting a list of articles published or delivered for seminars or symposia, working with scholars on significant research, etc., and
5. provides recommendations for graduate studies by two professional persons, such as faculty members or work supervisors acquainted with academia.
To change from conditional to regular admission, these students must complete the first two half-modules of the M.A. Program with a grade of B or higher in both half-modules. Those lacking prior post secondary studies in fine arts, literature, and natural science may be required to complete directed reading courses in these areas or equivalent studies at another institution, in addition to the usual four core modules in the M.A. program.
International Applicants - see Admission/International Applicants
Initial Starting Date for Studies
When an applicant is admitted to the university, the acceptance letter will specify the time period within which they may enroll. A late fee applies if the student does not enroll within that time period. Students are considered withdrawn if not enrolled within three months of the enrollment deadline specified in their acceptance letter. A student who is withdrawn must reapply for admission and will be subject to catalog requirements at the time of readmission.
If, due to extenuating circumstances, the student cannot enroll within the time period specified in the acceptance letter, they may request in writing, via email or letter, a later date. However, if they are unable to begin within 6 months of being admitted, or if they fail to enroll and do not request a later Starting Date, they will need to apply for readmission.
Students who must apply for readmission are required to file an Application for Readmission, pay the Readmission Fee, and meet all the requirements in effect at the new date. Students must apply for readmission in the following circumstances:
Readmission Process
Students must file an Application for Readmission with the Office of Admissions and Records.
In all cases, admission and program requirements existing at the time of readmission must be met and relevant fees paid.
Students returning after an approved Leave of Absence are not charged a readmission fee but may be required to update their application records and provide a plan for completing the program by the Program Completion Date before registering for courses. They remain under the requirements of the catalog under which they were enrolled when their Leave began.
Unit Requirement
Those who have successfully completed one or more of the four modules at another institution need to take a minimum of 26 units through WCIU, since State regulations limit transfer credit to 6 units at the master’s level.
Program Focus
This curriculum is designed to provide students a broad foundation in International Development from a multidisciplinary approach. Students may choose to focus on a specific subfield, culture, world region, religion or subject in their papers and in the Graduate Research Paper and Capstone Project, thereby adding depth in one area of knowledge and an initial basic preparation for doctoral studies with a desired Specialization. Students planning to pursue doctoral studies after completing this degree program are encouraged to focus in an area of study relevant to their intended doctoral work.
Prerequisite Requirements
It is expected that students entering WCIU’s M.A. in International Development program will have satisfied the following skills and requirements in their undergraduate work. If not, they will need to make up these deficiencies.
Required Coursework
Students are expected to become acquainted with the catalog section on Academic Policies, including program fees, scholarship and grading standards, and graduation requirements. Note that a 3.00 GPA or higher is required for graduate programs, and no grade lower than a B- may be applied toward graduate degrees.
Modules
The 4 modules, or integrated courses, in this curriculum grant 8 semester units of credit each. They must be taken sequentially for letter grades (not Cr/NC) and, with the exception of module 4, usually are enrolled in by the half-module (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4).
Module 1 Intl Dev 501 Global Civilization 1 Ancient World--origins to 400 BC 8 units
Module 2 Intl Dev 502 Global Civilization 2 Classical World--400 BC to AD 200 8 units
Module 3 Intl Dev 503 Global Civilization 3 Expanding World--AD 200 to 1945 8 units
Module 4 Intl Dev 504 Global Civilization 4 1945 to present 8 units
A graduate research paper and a capstone project are required in Module 4.
Upon completion of all four modules, students will have earned credits equivalent to these disciplines:
15 units in International Development: Theory, Methods, History
17 units in Historical Development of Culture
TOTAL: 32 semester units
Because of the integration of the modules, many of the credits listed in these disciplines are spread over more than one module. These units are not offered as separate courses, but are another way of listing the work covered in the four comprehensive modules.
Grade Requirements
Services
One of the services the Global Civilization Department provides its students is an accountability system of reminders regarding each student's progress in, and the deadline for, each enrollment period. The Department will send friendly reminders at the halfway point of, and one month prior to, each enrollment period deadline, and several times during Module 4.
Because six years is the maximum time allotted for the program, many of the friendly reminders will also mention the student's Program End Date. If a student has not completed Module 2 (half of the work) after three years from starting the program (half of the maximum time), the Global Civilization Department will request a plan from the student and mentor indicating a time line and any other helpful information (change in other duties if necessary) for how the student will be able to complete the work by the six year deadline. Likewise, if the student has not completed Module 3 after 4 1/2 years from beginning the program, the Department will request a plan from the student and mentor indicating the same kind of plan. Permission to enroll in subsequent half modules or modules will be denied until approval of the mentor/student plan has been obtained from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Expenses for students are moderate, in line with WCIU’s emphasis on a lifestyle rich in spiritual, cultural, social, and intellectual values rather than materialism. The approximate costs listed here reflect estimated minimal expenses. Costs are subject to change at any time. students who expect to keep a car or travel widely should plan their budget accordingly.
Off-Campus Housing in Pasadena
WCIU off-campus housing sometimes is available to degree students. Contact the Off-Campus Housing Office for details. Pasadena and surrounding communities have rental housing available. Monthly rent in Pasadena starts from about $660 for a studio, $850 for a one-bedroom apartment or $1,340 for a 3-bedroom apartment.
International Student Health Insurance
International students coming to the Pasadena campus are required to have appropriate medical insurance; applications for low-cost plans are available from the Director of Admissions and Records. International students studying in the U.S. may expect to pay around $1,100 per year for a single person’s student health insurance, depending on their age, health, and coverage. They are required to have adequate insurance to cover both major and minor medical expenses. The Director of Admissions and Records will provide up-to-date information on request for the few students issued an I-20 by WCIU.
Typical Costs for the M.A. Program
Student Fee Spouse Fee
$ 25 $ 25 Application fee
$ 4800 $ 2400 Cost for 4 Modules, 32 units @ $1200/module ($600 for spouses)
$ 3250 $ 2400 Estimated books and study materials*
$ 8075 $ 4825 Estimated Total
*Note that there are a variety of options for ordering some materials at a lower price, such as electronic format or your own discounted resources for textbooks.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Refund amounts are the same whether tuition is paid in advance or on a deferred payment plan. Those on deferred payment are expected to meet all financial obligations, including paying the full tuition and fees due, less the refund indicated.
In compliance with regulations set by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, WCIU bases its refund schedule on the work completed or time elapsed between the approved Starting Date and Completion Date for individual courses.
Students who cancel withdraw in writing prior to or on the approved Program Start Date
Full refund of all degree program charges, less $25 for processing the Personal Information Form (PIF) and application.
Students who cancel or withdraw in writing from any module or half module prior to or on the Approved Start Date:
Full refund of tuition minus any non-refundable fees.
Students who withdraw in writing from any half module within four months of the approved Start Date:
Pro rata refund according to terms specified in the Enrollment Agreement. Refunds will be made within 30 days of receipt of the written notice of cancellation or withdrawal.
Students who withdraw from a half module more than four months from the approved Start Date:
No refunds will be given.
If the university cancels or discontinues an educational program, the university will make a full refund of all program fees for services that have not been rendered.
©2008, William Carey International University • 1539 East Howard Street • Pasadena, CA 91104
Contact web master at andrew.parsons@wciu.edu
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