Academics

Doctor of Intercultural Studies

SAM02239 (1)

About the Program

The Doctor of Intercultural Studies (DICS) program is an online program dedicated to equipping leaders engaged in various missional, cross-cultural, and educational ministries. We accomplish this by integrating theory with a praxis that befits the 21st century context of globalization. The program aims at educating mission leaders through an in-depth study so that they van become expert practitioners of cross-cultural ministry in Christian missions.

Those who are admitted to this degree program will be assigned mentors after the successful completion of their first year. The DICS committee will determine the entire assigning process, and it will assign mentors in accordance with the students’ respective dissertation topics.

Download our Academic Catalog 25-26 for more information.

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Course Requirements

Doctor of Intercultural Studies courses are equivalent to 5 quarter units. A course requires 50 minutes per unit or 4.16 hours per week for 10 weeks of Student-Faculty classroom interaction. Each course requires 30 hours of interaction through lectures, discussions, and classroom activities.

  • Doctoral Research: Four 5-unit courses (20 units)
  • Elective Courses in the area of dissertation focus: Two 5-unit courses (10 units)
  • Dissertation: Two 5-unit course periods (10 units)

Dissertation Procedure

The dissertation is the culmination and the last requirement for the competition of the DICS program. Although students can write on diverse topics, they are strongly advised to develop a project relevant to their ministry. The dissertation must be approved by a faculty mentor and two faculty readers, must be orally defended, and then formatted and bound.

Graduation Requirements

The Doctor of Intercultural Studies program is normally a 2-year program with a “Full course Study Load” required for F-1 visa students. All requirements for the degree should be completed within a maximum of five (5) years from the time of matriculation.

Students wishing to attend Commencement must have a completed and approved dissertation by the 23rd of March before June Commencement.

  • Completed all course requirements
  • Successfully passed the Bible Knowledge test.
  • Successfully written and defended the dissertation (finalized format to the satisfaction of the librarian).

Delivery Method

  • 100% online
  • Available in English and Korean languages

Admission Requirements

  • Completed and signed application form
  • Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
  • Evidence of obtaining a Master’s degree from an accredited institution (ATS accredited or equivalent) with 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Three completed reference forms
  • Writing Sample (minimum of 5,000 words or 20 pages)
  • Doctoral Research Interest Statement