125 credits
required for program
- On Campus
- Minor Available
- PSEO/Early College Online Classes
Understand different cultural, ethnic, and religious groups for work and ministry. Learn from seasoned Christian faculty who have served overseas. The intercultural studies major was designed to promote the interest and concern of all students for intercultural ministry both in North America and overseas. This degree lays the foundations for you to live and work all around the globe.
Intercultural studies may be the right degree for you if you
- want to go into missions
- are interested in humanitarian or immigrant outreach
- have an international mindset
- would like to work overseas
- want to build intercultural skills for employment in fields like human resources, business, and education
Why do intercultural studies at Northwestern?
Expand your view of what God is doing in the world. Learn from intercultural leaders who have spent much of their lives living and working in other countries. Gain valuable hands-on experience doing cross-cultural work here in the diverse communities of Minnesota or internationally. Grow in your understanding of cultural patterns and values.
Experience an Intercultural Internship. One of the distinguishing requirements of the program is a required Intercultural Studies (ICS) Internship. Our department offers programs in Guatemala and Thailand.
Learn more through valuable courses. As an Intercultural Studies major you’ll take classes in World Religions, Intercultural Communication, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Missions, and Human Global Migration.
Add another major. The flexibility of this major makes it easy to double major with another area of interest. Choose Intercultural Studies as a primary major and add a secondary major of your choice at Northwestern.
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Accelerated Masters of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML)
An accelerated program, sometimes referred to as 3+2 or 4+1, allows students to complete their bachelors and masters in 5 years, saving students time and tuition.
The department of Christian Ministries offers an accelerated pathway from all five undergraduate majors into the to a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML). While completing their undergraduate degree, students will complete 12-16 credits of graduate coursework, and an additional 20-24 graduate credits online after graduating.
median pay in 2024
jobs available in 2024
degree required
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Interpreters and Translators. Retreived May 2025.
The Intercultural Studies major challenges participants to gain a greater appreciation of God’s vision for the world, a deeper understanding of their own culture, and intercultural skills to effectively relate to others.
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
Choosing to go to Thailand has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I was able to experience Thai culture in a deep and beautiful way and to connect with incredible people who think differently than I. I had the most amazing students who wanted to learn and just spend time with me. I loved the experience and left a piece of my heart over there.
Studying abroad in Guatemala was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Getting out of my own context of life completely changed the way that I view God, his creation, and especially his people. Stepping into the life of another culture was invaluable by stretching, changing, and teaching me in ways that I otherwise wouldn’t have been. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
During my month teaching English in Thailand, I was engulfed in a culture of warmth and selfless love, where I was able to grow as a leader, form meaningful relationships, and try new things.
Careers in intercultural studies
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in intercultural studies.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Missions
- Humanitarian aid
- Foreign Service official
- Diplomacy
- Policy analysis
- International development
- Church staff member
- Community organization director (cross cultural)
- Evangelism and church planting
- Government work
- Hospitality ministries
- House parent
- Inner city ministry
- Overseas business
- Refugee resettlement
- Teaching English to speakers of other languages (with TESOL minor track)
What will I learn?
You will develop an international ministry mindset and establish strong written and verbal communication skills.
ICS3067
Social Justice
An interdisciplinary examination of social evil and social righteousness with the goal of constructing transformational responses to contemporary issues in social justice. Special topics will include ideology, power, sexism, religion, public policy, education, consumerism, and media.
ICS2015
World Religions
A survey of the beliefs and practices of the major religions of the world, including Animism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam.
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
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