Class Type
Seated, Traditional 15-week Semester
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Date
August 11th, 2025
Accreditation
Mission University is accredited by HLC and ABHE
Credit Hours
Months (avg)
Career Outlooks
Career Opportunities for Intercultural Studies Graduates:
- Cross Cultural Missionary: career and short term assignments anywhere in the world; church planter; international student ministry leader; Bible translator; youth ministry
- Local Church: outreach/discipleship pastor; ethnic ministries pastor/coordinator
- Business: international business development; creative access entrepreneur; non governmental organization; relief work
- Education: ESL teacher; school teacher
- Government: US State Department service corps
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies & Church Ministry, students will be able to:
1. Articulate a knowledge of biblical texts and a clear explanation of systematic theology consistent with Baptist distinctives. (ILO1)
2. Identify the stages of spiritual development with application to interpersonal relationships. (ILO 3)
3. Exegete and apply a biblical text to a sermon and/or lesson delivered with oral clarity and contemporary relevance. (ILO 1)
4. Demonstrate an understanding of church administration and local church leadership. (ILO 1)
5. Formulate a philosophy of life and ministry which demonstrates a commitment to Christ-like character. (ILO 2)
Program Mission
The Missions / Intercultural Ministry Concentration exists to equip students to effectively make disciples of all nations by preparing them to develop relationships and share the gospel with people from different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in cross-cultural settings.
Why Choose Mission U?
At Mission University, we have been training effective Christian leaders since 1950. Mission U alumni are impacting the world all over the globe, and we strive for excellence in all that we do. Here are some of the benefits of pursuing your degree with us:
- Mission University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and nationally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). You can rest assured that you’re earning your degree from an institution that has met rigorous accreditation standards and will be well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
- Our faculty have years of practical, real-life experience in ministry pastoring churches, running ministries, doing intercultural work abroad, and more. They are excited to share what they’ve learned with you.
- Each of your courses is taught from an evangelical Christian perspective – so whether it’s a leadership, communication, science, or history course – biblical principles and weekly devotions will be incorporated into your studies.
Degree Plan
General Studies (30 hours)
| GSCE 141 – English Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| GSCE 142 – English Composition and Research | 3 |
| GSCS 200 – Public Speaking | 3 |
| BSMI 121 – Biblical Foundations for Global Outreach | 3 |
| GSBP 212 – General Psychology | 3 |
| GSSH 133 – Christian Worldview in Contemporary Culture | 3 |
| GSSH 241 – Church History I: Early Church – Dark Ages | 3 |
| GSSH 242 – Church History II: Reformation – Today | 3 |
| GSNS 110 – Origins Science | 3 |
| PSBU 136 – Personal Finance | 3 |
Bible/Theology (39 hours)
| BSEB 103 – Old Testament Survey 1 | 3 |
| BSEB 104 – Old Testament Survey 2 | 3 |
| BSEB 111 – Life of Christ | 3 |
| BSEB 112 – Life of Paul | 3 |
| BSEB 213 – New Testament Survey | 3 |
| BSEB 224 – Hermeneutics | 3 |
| BSEB 325 – Advanced Hermeneutics | 3 |
| BSEB 341 – Romans | 3 |
| BSST 233 – Theology 1 | 3 |
| BSST 234 – Theology 2 | 3 |
| BSST 333 – Theology 3 | 3 |
| BSST 334 – Theology 4 | 3 |
| BSST 441 – Apologetics | 3 |
Church Ministry (33 hours)
| BSCM 200 – Personal Evangelism & Discipleship | 3 |
| BSCM 310 – Preaching & Teaching Methods | 3 |
| BSCM 315 – Preaching & Teaching Workshop | 3 |
| BSCM 324 – Local Church Worship, Music, and Media | 3 |
| BSCM 333 – Local Church Communications | 3 |
| BSCM 334 – Local Church Business | 3 |
| BSCM 438 – Local Church Missions | 3 |
| BSCM 463 – Local Church Counseling | 3 |
| BSCM 475 – Local Church Internship | 3 |
| Bible/Theology OR Church Ministry Elective * | 3 |
| Bible/Theology OR Church Ministry Elective | 3 |
Missions / Intercultural Ministry Concentration (18 hours)
| BSMI 114 – Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BSMI 232 – Introduction to World Religions | 3 |
| BSMI 310 – Cross-Cultural Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| BSMI 324 – Philosophy of Ministry | 3 |
| BSMI 414 – Contemporary Issues in Missions | 3 |
| BSMI 423 – Deputation Workshop | 3 |
| * BSPS 435 – Fundamentals of Church Planting & Revitalization (fulfills one ministry elective above) | 3 |
Total (120 hours)
Comments:
All ministry students are required to complete a missions trip and local church internship as part of the degree program and graduation requirements.
Faculty Spotlight
Brian Garrison
Education: BS, Mission University, 1994; MACCM, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1997.
Bio: Brian is a 1994 graduate of Mission University, where he met his wife Mychelle. After earning a master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in 1997, Brian and Mychelle began an internship at First Baptist Church in Vilonia, Arkansas. The Garrisons were approved as BBFI missionaries to Peru in September 2001. They began serving God in Peru in April 2003 and enjoyed a very fruitful ministry for more than 9 years. Serious health issues took Brian and Mychelle off the field in 2012. Brian worked in the Financial Services industry for five years prior to going to work in the BBFI Mission Office in 2017. This has served him well in his position as Finance Director. Brian is also the Director of the World Initiative Network (WIN). Being an adjunct faculty member allows for a strong connection between the BBFI Mission Office, and the students and faculty of Mission U. Brian teaches one seated class each semester within the Intercultural Studies department. He also facilitates multiple online Intercultural Studies courses for Mission University.
Student Spotlight
Tyler Carleton (Class of '19)
"My degree means I'm prepared. It means that I've learned from a Biblical standpoint how to interact with cultures and beliefs different than my own in a God-honoring way, so that I can effectively reach them with the Gospel. If I don't understand them, how can I ever relate the Gospel to them? I chose this program because I believe God has called me to reach other cultures and people groups. I wanted to make sure that I was as prepared and educated as possible to spread the Gospel to them, and this degree program gave me the opportunity and training I needed to do that."
Brynn Gotcher (Class of '21)
“For me, a degree in this program means that I get to be well prepared for the ministries I’m going to be involved in when I go overseas! I am going to be able to be super effective because I’ve not only taken classes to learn about other cultures, but I’ve also taken classes that have given me a great biblical foundation as well. I decided to major in Intercultural Studies because I surrendered to be in intercultural ministry my senior year of high school, and I knew that this degree was where God was leading me in my college years!”
Admission Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Completed Mission University application
- Official high school transcript showing the graduation date, or GED certificate.
- Official transcript from all previous colleges or universities attended (if applicable).
- Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA waiver form.
- Completed Mission University financial check-in documents.