Distance Degrees in Intercultural Studies, Missions, and Related Studies

If you sense a calling to missions, intercultural ministry, or global gospel work, you’re stepping into one of the most complex and meaningful areas of ministry today. Whether you’re preparing to be sent overseas, working cross-culturally in your own city, leading missions strategy in a local church, or equipping others to go, your role requires more than passion. It requires deep theological grounding, cultural intelligence, missional strategy, and spiritual resilience. In today’s rapidly changing and globally connected world, that kind of preparation is both essential and challenging to pursue.

Below is a list of Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries offering fully accredited, distance-learning undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees designed specifically for those called to missions, missiology, intercultural studies, and global ministry leadership. These programs are designed to equip you for real-world ministry while allowing you to remain embedded in your local church, community, or mission field. And while many schools offer general ministry degrees, the programs highlighted in this post are intentionally designed to equip people to faithfully and effectively participate in God’s mission to the nations.

Below is a list of schools offering fully accredited degrees in preaching, communication, and related ministry areas that can be earned through distance learning (online, live synchronous, etc.).

***This list will be updated regularly, so check back often to explore new programs and opportunities.

Sections Below

Undergraduate Degrees

MDiv Degrees

MA and Similar Degrees

Advanced Graduate Degrees

Professional Doctoral Degrees

Research Doctoral Degrees

Abbreviations- Degrees

BA: Bachelor of Arts

BS: Bachelor of Science

BAAS: Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences

BRE: Bachelor of Religious Education

MDiv: Master of Divinity

MA: Master of Arts

MAT: Master of Applied Theology

MMin: Master of Ministry

MCM: Master of Christian Ministry

MGE: Master of Global Engagement

MML: Master of Missional Leadership

MBA: Master of Business Administration

EdS: Education Specialist

MTh: Master of Theology ThM: Master of Theology

STM: Master of Sacred Theology

PhD: Doctor of Philosophy

ThD: Doctor of Theology

DMin: Doctor of Ministry

EdD: Doctor of Education

DEdMin: Doctor of Educational Ministry

DIS: Doctor of Intercultural Studies

DMiss: Doctor of Missiology

DGL: Doctor of Global Leadership

DAIS: Doctor of Applied Intercultural Studies

DSL: Doctor of Strategic Leadership

DLead: Doctor of Leadership

Undergraduate Degrees

Baptist University of Florida 

BA in Missions or Ministry Studies: Evangelism & Missions

Bethany Global University

BA in Intercultural Ministry Studies

Bridges Christian College & Seminary

BA in Biblical Studies and World Missions or Urban Missions

Campbellsville University

BS in Leadership & Missions

City Vision University

BA in Christian Ministry & Management (Urban Missions) or Nonprofit Management (Cross-Cultural Ministry or Urban Ministry)

Crown College

BS in Global & Cultural Studies

Dallas Christian College

BS in Practical Ministries: Intercultural Studies

Davis College

BRE in Intercultural Ministries

Epic Bible College & Graduate School

BA in Ministerial Studies: Cross-Cultural Ministry

Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

BA in Intercultural Studies

Faith Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary

BA or BS in World Missions

Faith International University 

BA in Religion (Missions & Evangelism) or Education (Missions & Evangelism)

Global University

BA in Intercultural Studies

Grand Canyon University 

BA in Christian Studies: Global Ministry

Heritage Bible College

BRE in Missions & Evangelism

Indiana Wesleyan University

BS in Mission-Driven Leadership

Johnson University

BS in Missions or Intercultural Studies

Kairos University

BA in Christian Thought & Practice - Missional Theology

Kansas Christian College

BA in Leadership & Ministry: Missions

The King’s University

BA in Ministry Leadership: Global Ministry

Liberty University

BS in Religion: Global & Intercultural Engagement

Moody Bible Institute

BS in Cultural Engagement

Nelson University

BA in Intercultural Studies

BAAS in Global Missions

Northpoint Bible College

BA in Intercultural Ministry

Olivet Nazarene University

BA in Ministerial Missions or Ministry & Leadership: Evangelism & Outreach or Intercultural Studies

Oral Roberts University 

BA in International Business & Ministry or Ministry & Leadership: Evangelism & Outreach

Southeastern University

BS in Missional Leadership

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

BA in Ministry & Leadership: Missions

Texas Baptist College (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)

BA in Intercultural Studies

Truett McConnell University

BA in Christian Studies: Missions

University of Cumberlands

BS in Missions & Ministry

University of Valley Forge

BA in International Studies

Valor Christian College

BA in Christian Ministry: Evangelism or Missions

William Jessup University

BS in Global Leadership or Strategic Leadership: Global Leadership

MDiv Degrees

Asbury Theological Seminary

MDiv in Intercultural Studies

Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)

MDiv in Missions & Intercultural Studies

Bob Jones University

MDiv in Global Missions

Campbell University (Campbell Divinity School)

MDiv in Mission & Global Christianity

Campbellsville University

MDiv in Missions & Ministry Leadership

Columbia International University (Columbia Biblical Seminary)

MDiv in Missiological Studies

Faith International University

MDiv in Missional Studies

Freed-Hardeman University 

MDiv in Missions

Fuller Theological Seminary

MDiv in Intercultural & Urban Ministry

Gardner-Webb University

MDiv in Intercultural Studies or Missiology

Gateway Seminary

MDiv in Global Engagement or Intercultural Studies

Hope International University (Pacific Christian Seminary)

MDiv in Intercultural Studies

Kairos University 

MDiv in Missional Theology

Liberty University

MDiv in Global & Intercultural Leadership

Maranatha Baptist University (Maranatha Seminary)

MDiv in Intercultural Studies

Melbourne School of Theology (Australia)

MDiv in Intercultural Studies

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Missiology & Intercultural Studies

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Missions

Milligan University (Emmanuel Christian Seminary)

MDiv in World Mission

Nelson University

MDiv in Missions

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Missions

Northern Seminary

MDiv in Christian Community Development or Theology & Mission

Northwest Nazarene University

MDiv in Missional Leadership

Olivet Nazarene University

MDiv in Missional Multiplication

Palm Beach Atlantic University 

MDiv in Bible Translation

Regent University (Regent Divinity School)

MDiv in Ministry, Theology, & Missiology

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Missiology

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Missions

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

MDiv in Missions

Trinity Western University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

MDiv in Global Christian Leadership

Western Seminary

MDiv in Global Leadership or Intercultural Studies

Tyndale University (Tyndale Seminary) (Canada)

MDiv in Global Christianity & Mission

MA and Similar Degrees

Anderson University (IN)

MA in Christian Ministry - Intercultural Studies

Andrews University

MA in Religion - Global Mission or Religion - Mission Studies

Asbury Theological Seminary

MA in Intercultural Studies

Barclay College

MA in Missional Multiplication, Biblical Translation, or Literacy Methodology

Bethany Global University

MA in Intercultural Disability Ministry, Intercultural Ministry Education, Intercultural Ministry Leadership, or Intercultural Ministry Studies

Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)

MA in Intercultural Studies

Bob Jones University

MA in Intercultural Studies

Calvin Theological Seminary

MA in Christian Leadership: Advanced Urban Ministry or Missional Ministry

Campbellsville University

MTh in Missions & Ministry Leadership

Carolina University

MA in Leadership & Ministry Administration

City Vision University

MA in Christian Ministry & Management: Cultural Ministry or Nonprofit Management: Cross-Cultural Ministry

MBA in Nonprofit Management: Cross-Cultural Ministry

Columbia International University (Columbia Biblical Seminary)

MA in Intercultural Studies or Global Migration Studies

Crown College

MA in Global Leadership

Dallas Baptist University

MA in Christian Ministry: Global Leadership, Global Leadership, Leadership: Global Leadership, or Professional Development: Servant Leadership (focus in Missions)

Dual Degrees:

MA in Global Leadership + MA in Children’s Ministry

MA in Global Leadership + MA in Christian Counseling

MA in Global Leadership + MA in Christian Ministry

MA in Global Leadership + MA in Theological Studies

Dallas Christian College

MA in Multicultural Engagement

Dallas Theological Seminary

MA in Intercultural Studies

Eastern Mennonite Seminary

MA in Christian Leadership: Intercultural Ministry

East Texas Baptist University (BH Carroll Theological Seminary)

MA in Christian Ministry: Missions

Erskine Theological Seminary

MA in Practical Ministry: Evangelism & Missions

Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

MA in Theological Studies: Intercultural Theology

Freed-Hardeman University 

MA in Ministry: Missions

Fresno Pacific University (Fresno Pacific Seminary)

MA in Ministry, Leadership, & Culture

Fuller Theological Seminary

MA in Global Missional Leadership, Theological Studies: Mission & Culture, or Theology & Ministry: Intercultural & Urban Ministry

Gateway Seminary

MA in Intercultural Studies

MGE — Master of Global Engagement 

Global University

MA in Intercultural Studies

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

MA in Theological Studies: Intercultural Studies

Harding University

MA in Christian Ministry: Missions

Hope International University (Pacific Christian Seminary)

MA in Ministry: Intercultural Studies

Kairos University 

MA in Intercultural Studies

Kansas Christian College

MCM — Master of Christian Ministry in Missions

Kentucky Christian University 

MA in Christian Leadership: Missions

Liberty University

MA in Global & Intercultural Leadership or Religion: Global & Intercultural Leadership

Maranatha Baptist University (Maranatha Seminary)

MA in Intercultural Studies

The Master’s University

MA in Biblical Studies: Missions

Melbourne School of Theology

MML - Master of Missional Leadership

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

MA in Missiology & Intercultural Studies

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

MA in Intercultural Studies

MAT — Master of Applied Theology in Missions

Moody Bible Institute

MA in Ministry Studies: Missions

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

MA in Cross-Cultural Studies or Missiology

Northern Seminary

MA in Community Development or Theology & Mission

North Park University (North Park Theological Seminary)

MA in Theological Studies: Cross-Cultural Ministry or Christian Ministry: Intercultural Engagement

Northwest Nazarene University

MA in Leadership & Formation: Missional Leadership

Oklahoma Baptist University 

MA in Intercultural Studies

Olivet Nazarene University

MA in Missional Multiplication

Oral Roberts University

MA in Intercultural Studies or Leadership: Global Engagement

Palm Beach Atlantic University 

MA in Intercultural Studies

Phoenix Seminary

MA in Ministry: Intercultural Studies

The Queen’s Foundation, Durham University (UK)

MA in Theology, Ministry, & Mission

Regent University (Regent Divinity School)

MA in Christian Ministry: Missiology or Evangelism & Missions

St. Mellitus College, Durham University (UK)

MA in Mission in Contemporary Culture

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

MA in Cross-Cultural Counseling, Intercultural Studies, Missiology, or Theological Studies - Intercultural Leadership

Southeastern University

MA in Global Ministry Design

MBA in Missional Leadership

Southern Evangelical Seminary

MA in Church Ministry: Missions

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

MA in Missiology or Theological Studies: Intercultural Leadership

Trinity Bible College & Graduate School 

MA in Global Theology or Missional Leadership & Contextual Studies

Trinity College Bristol, Durham University (UK)

MA in Theology, Ministry, & Mission

Trinity Western University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

MA in Christian Studies: Intercultural Studies or Global Christian Leadership

Truett McConnell University

MA in Global Studies

University of Cumberlands

MA in Christian Studies: Missions & Evangelism

Veritas Baptist College

MMin in Missions & Crosscultural Studies

Western Seminary

MA in Ministry, Leadership, & Intercultural Studies

Wheaton College

MA in TESOL & Intercultural Studies

William Carey International University

MA in Development Studies or Transformational Urban Leadership

Advanced Graduate Degrees

Asia Graduate School of Theology (Asia Theological Seminary)

ThM and/or PhD in Orality Studies

Calvin Theological Seminary 

ThM in Missiology

Dallas Theological Seminary

ThM in Missions

STM in Missiology: Intercultural Ministries

Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

ThM in Intercultural Studies

Fuller Theological Seminary

ThM in Intercultural Studies

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

ThM in Missiology

Liberty University

EdS in Community Care & Counseling: International Cross-Cultural Counseling

ThM in Global & Intercultural Leadership

London School of Theology, Middlesex University (UK)

MPhil in Missiology or Theology & Culture

MTh in Missiology or Theology & Culture

Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Middlesex University (UK)

MPhil in Missiology

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

ThM in Applied Theology: Missions

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

ThM in Missions

University of Birmingham (UK)

MA (Research) in World Christianity

The University of Edinburgh

MPhil in World Christianity

Professional Doctoral Degrees

Abilene Christian University 

DMin in Leadership for Missional Renewal 

Andrews University

DIS — Doctor of Intercultural Studies

DMin in Urban Ministry

Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)

DIS — Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Dallas Theological Seminary

DMin in Ministry Leadership in International Contexts or Multicultural Ministry

Erskine Theological Seminary

DMin in Missiology

Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

DAIS — Doctor of Applied Intercultural Studies

Faith International University 

DSL in Global & Missional Leadership

DIS - Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Fuller Theological Seminary

DGL — Doctor of Global Leadership

George Fox University

DLead — Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

DMin in Missions, Development, & Leadership in the Global Context

Grace School of Theology

DMin in Ministry & Missions

Grace Theological Seminary

DMin in Intercultural Studies

DIS — Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Kairos University

DMin in Missional Theology, Anthropology, Contextual Theology

Liberty University

EdD in Community Care & Counseling: International Cross-Cultural Counseling

Mercer University (McAfee School of Theology)

DMin in Mission & Community Development

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Missions

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Missions

New Brunswick Theological Seminary

DMin in Missiology & Global Christianity

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Intercultural Studies

DEdMin in Intercultural Studies

Northern Seminary

DMin in Contextual Theology

North Greenville University 

DMin in Great Commission Studies

Omega Graduate School (American Centre for Religion & Society Studies)

DSL — Doctor of Social Leadership in Leadership

Oral Roberts University

DMin in Global Evangelism

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Global Missions or Missions & Evangelism

DMiss in Missiology

DEdMin in Global Missions

EdD in Global Education & Leadership

Southeastern University

DMin in Missiology

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Global Missions

DEdMin in Global Missions

DMiss in Missiology

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

DMin in Evangelism & Missions

Wesley Theological Seminary

DMin in Global Church Leadership

Westminster Theological Seminary

DMin in Evangelism & Missions

Western Seminary

DIS — Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Research Doctoral Degrees

Andrews University

PhD in Religion: World Mission

ThD in Theology: World Mission

Asia Graduate School of Theology (Asia Theological Seminary)

ThM and/or PhD in Orality Studies

Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)

PhD in Intercultural Education or Intercultural Studies

Carolina University

PhD in Leadership & Ministry: Intercultural Studies

Cliff College, University of Manchester (UK)

PhD in Evangelism & Missiology

Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (Belgium)

PhD in Religious Studies & Missiology or Theology & Culture

Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Fuller Theological Seminary

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Georgia Central University

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Johnson University

PhD in Leadership Studies: Missional Leadership

Kairos University 

ThD in Missional Theology

PhD in Global Studies

London School of Theology, Middlesex University (UK)

PhD in Missions

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

PhD in Missions

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

PhD in Applied Theology: Missiology

Nazarene Theological College, University of Manchester (UK)

PhD in Theology: Missiology

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

PhD in Missiology

***ThM earned en route to the PhD

Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Middlesex University (UK)

PhD in Missiology

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

PhD in Applied Theology (North American Missiology or International Missiology)

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

PhD in Christian Missions, Islamic Studies, or World Religions

***ThM earned en route to the PhD

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

PhD in World Christian Studies or Missions

Trinity Western University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

PhD in Educational Ministry Studies or Theology & Culture

Union School of Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands)

PhD in Mission & Religions

University of Birmingham (UK)

PhD in World Christianity

The University of Edinburgh

PhD in areas like World Christianity

University of the Free State (South Africa)

ThD in Missiology

Washington University of Virginia

ThD in Bible & Cultural Integration

Western Seminary

PhD in Intercultural Education

William Carey International University

PhD in Global Development