Going Back to School...

People have been asking me questions about school and what exactly it is that im getting my masters in and what type of program it is...so I figured I would post it on here, so I can just have people refer to this. I must say I am pretty excited to be going back to school and even more excited about the program!

M.A. in International Care and Community Development

This program prepares men and women for context-sensitive, strategic leadership in meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed, both in the U.S. and overseas. This degree emphasizes core issues of global-cultural awareness and social justice. Students are equipped to identify, analyze, and understand cultural differences in contexts of need, and to develop holistic responses that are sensitive to the particular constraints and
opportunities presented in those settings.

Students will explore career options in relief and development contexts, including leadership and management, as well as project design and facilitation. Possible career settings for people with a Masters in ICCD include:

• Relief and development agencies (World Vision; World Concern)
• Local government (Health and Human Services; tribal relations consultant)
• International government (World Health Organization; United Nations)
• Church ministries (mission director; urban outreach coordinator)
• Corporate relations/philanthropy (grant coordinator; community impact researcher)
• Healthcare (cultural communications consultant; minority rights advocate)
• Project management (homeless shelter vocational trainer; orphanage director)
• Education (minority student advisor; literacy advocate; English teacher abroad)
• Research (immunization program design; program impact evaluation)

This degree is essentially practical and tied to real-world needs; there is a constant emphasis on the interplay between theory and praxis. All students will take part in a cross-cultural field experience in semesters two, three, and four through the practicum series. This may include working with an organization with which they are already associated. Students are required to undertake a project that will become the basis for a thesis. They are encouraged to choose an endeavor that will provide practical data to benefit the people group or organization that is the focus of the fieldwork.

Objectives

The M.A. in International Care and Community Development degree is designed to equip students to become:

• scholars with sensitivity and expertise at observing and interpreting culture;
• innovators for creating culturally responsive programs for addressing social issues;
• critical thinkers able to evaluate existing approaches to meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed;
• leaders and managers able to inspire with life-changing compassion and world-changing vision.

Courses

The 40-credit ICCD program of study includes the following courses, taken over a 15-month period:

Fall Semester 1 – 10 cr

• Practicum I – Fieldwork and Thesis Prep (1)
• Applied Research Methods I - Introduction (1)
• Cultural Studies in Global Context (2)
• Community Development (3)
• Globalization (3)

Spring Semester 2 – 10 cr

• Practicum II – Fieldwork and Thesis (2)
• Applied Research Methods II - Quantitative (2)
• Spirituality, Culture, and Social Justice (2)
• Leadership for the Non Profit Sector (2)
• Health, Healing, and Culture (2)

Summer Semester 3 – 10 cr

• Practicum III – Fieldwork and Thesis (2)
• Applied Research Methods III – Qualitative (2)
• Social Entrepreneurship (2)
• Social Justice in a Global Context (2)
• Special Topics in Global Studies I (2)

Fall Semester 4 – 10 cr

• Practicum IV – Fieldwork and Thesis (3)
• Women and Children at Risk (2)
• Urban Studies (3)
• Special Topics in Global Studies II (2)

Note: All students will take part in cross-cultural field experience in semesters two, three, and four through the practicum series. This may include working with an organization with which they are already associated. Students are required to undertake a project that will become the basis for a thesis. They are encouraged to choose an endeavor that will provide practical data to benefit the people group or organization that is the focus of the fieldwork.

Format & Delivery Modality

The program uses a cohort system in which all entering students are grouped together and given nearly the same schedule of courses for the entire program. The cohort becomes a valuable resource for several reasons. Students study together. They encourage and assist one another when needed. They also become comfortable with one another to the point of being able to discuss tough issues and share personal accounts. Since a higher level of openness is attainable, a higher level of learning can also be reached.

It takes 15 months to complete this degree. There are one-to-two week breaks between each term. Classes usually meet two evenings per week and two weekends per month. Weekend classes are comprised of a Friday evening and a Saturday morning through afternoon. Classes are scheduled in the evenings and on some weekends so that students may utilize their days as need be. However, this program is academically rigorous and requires considerable time outside the classroom devoted to homework.