What stirs you to act? Compassion initiatives? Poverty alleviation? Injustice in society?
The online Master of Arts in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) program builds on a foundation of biblical justice and international development with an emphasis on compassion initiatives, poverty alleviation, and combating injustices in society. This academic experience includes two weeks in Rwanda or Thailand during the program. You will connect with peers just as passionate about improving communities as you are. This program prepares community leaders, mission pastors, and cross-cultural workers in mission, justice, and humanitarian aid work in local or global contexts. If you are inspired by holistic, sustainable solutions that empower the hurting and strengthen the vulnerable, our online MAGDJ program is designed for you.
Experience the Contextual Residency Program
You will gain insights from practitioners working in NGOs outside of the U.S. in a two-week immersion experience. Travel to Rwanda or Thailand with faculty-guides. You will analyze historical and contemporary theories, evaluate socio-cultural contexts and socio-economic perspectives, and grow in their faith and understanding of God’s heart and love for humanity.
Example Courses
The courses listed below are some of our featured core classes that will be a part of your educational journey here at MU. Take a look at each course for a small preview.
This course examines biblical justice in relation to contemporary issues in both North American and international contexts. Issues such as race, immigration, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, poverty, violence, gender, creation care, and human dignity will be considered along with how to advocate for those who are oppressed and marginalized in society.
This course explores both theological and biblical principles in community development highlighting holistic ministry responses. Emphasis is placed on incarnational living, empowerment, and community participation in bringing about sustainable change and transformation to a variety of complex problems.
Surveys the contributing factors and intervention practices for responding to people impacted by conflict and natural disasters with an emphasis on the unique needs of refugees and internally displaced persons. The role of the Church and faith-based agencies in responding to these needs is explored.
This course explores the issues related to advocating for social change through international human rights mechanisms and philosophies and discusses the role of non-governmental organizations in civil discourse and public policies that affect the lives of the poor and others marginalized in society. Christian ethics and evidence-based models and research provide the fundamental guidelines in developing policies.
Degree Requirements
Here you will find everything you need to know about what is required to successfully complete your degree.
“The Contextual Residency trip made the biggest difference for me, as an online student. It helped me to feel like I had a community—a cohort where we could bounce ideas off each other, commiserate together, and just have each other as companions.”
Jennifer Bell '19, MAGDJ
Program Concentrations
Peace and Reconciliation
This concentration focuses on the need for peace in contexts of systemic injustices, war, conflict, tribal and racial tension, and communities where violence is common. Students who choose the Peace and Reconciliation concentration will take a distinct path of research and some specific courses designed to develop necessary skills for peace-building in global contexts. Internships and research projects will prepare these students to engage effectively in this field.
Bible and Theology
This emphasis is for those who plan to work in a vocational ministry or a church context and do not have previous biblical training. The Bible and Theology emphasis in MAGDJ includes earning a certificate offered by Multnomah Biblical Seminary (MBS) in Bible Foundations. This emphasis will ensure that you integrate biblical and theological education in the field of Global Development and Justice in a way that prepares you for Christian ministry. Your biblical and theological literacy will increase as you develop knowledge of both historical figures and biblical passages in the Old and New Testaments.
Career Placement
As an equipped, Christian leader, you will be ready to serve in mission, global development, and justice initiatives around the world where there is a great need. With your M.A. in Global Development & Justice, you will be prepared for any of the following careers:
| • Children at Risk Specialist | • Foreign Service Officer | • Global Justice Leader |
| • Inter-governmental Worker | • Outreach Entreprenuer | • Volunteer Aid Worker |
| • Development and Relief Specialist | • Community Development Worker | • Missions and Outreach Pastor |
MAGDJ Internship Program
Internships are a great way to broaden your network and gain hands-on experience in the workplace. Our MAGDJ program partners with a number of organizations whose internships provide you the opportunity to start making an impact now as you continue to get your education.
A research thesis is also an option instead of the required traditional internship, it usually takes two semesters and includes working with a thesis advisor. For more on these options please consult with the Director of the MAGDJ program.
Learn More about MAGDJ Internships
Ready!FAQs
Global Development and Justice is a degree that focuses on preparing students to respond with best practices to complex global issues in either local and/or international contexts. For students looking to work with NGOs, non-profits, and other faith-based organizations, both experience and academic training are essential. This degree program provides significant professional training from faculty who have experience and academic proficiency in their fields, as well as experiential opportunities like such as internships and field projects.
There are very few academic programs that will prepare you to work across the nexus of community development, justice, and peacebuilding work. This is our specialty. In the process, we place a high emphasis upon professional excellence and the integration of a Christian worldview. We are also deeply passionate about mentoring and walking with our students through their degree programs. Not only are professors active scholars, on the field, getting it done, but they desire to see students prepared with both soft and hard skills which will facilitate opportunities for job placement and for high-quality results in whatever career path they choose.
Justice is a deeply biblical concept. Biblical social justice requires an emphasis on the kingdom of God. Micah 6:8 states, “He has told you . . . what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The focus of Micah 6:8 is primarily about relationships, and these relationships center around values established by God himself for his kingdom and people. Thus, biblical justice requires that the people of God are concerned for and partner with those who face significant injustices and vulnerabilities, seeking to address the root issues driving these conditions. Justice work often includes seeking to right the wrongs that are committed against those whom God deeply loves and to restore life to what God intends for people and society. For the Christian, social justice finds itself deeply rooted in the personhood and actions of God.
Advocacy work is generally understood as influencing decision-makers by ensuring that policies and practices are appropriate and just and that the voices of those most marginalized in society are heard. Our faith deeply guides us in how we advocate for those who are disempowered, including those affected by material poverty, systemic injustices, and those who are victims of unjust laws and policies. (Proverbs 31:8-9)
Just peace-building concerns itself with seeing the shalom of God manifested where conflict, corruption, and greed have torn people apart from the potential that God has established for individuals and communities. True peace or “shalom” is found when relationships are set right—with God, self, others, and with God’s good creation. Accountability and restoration are both necessary aspects of a just peace, seeking for relationships to be set right. In a world filled with division and strife, we believe that peacebuilding is an integral aspect of our Christian witness, as well as a critical component in an approach to holistic development. Thus, skills such as conflict analysis and conflict transformation are complimented with an emphasis upon the dispositions of a person of peace. (Matthew 5:9)
Investing time, finances, and energy into a graduate program is not for everyone, but it is for those who are seeking a vocation and calling to work across the nexus of development, justice, and peace-building efforts in their local communities or internationally (or both). Experience and academic training go hand in hand when it comes to being employed by a non-profit, church, or international non-governmental organization (NGO). Both play a critical role in ensuring high-quality work and opportunities for employment. If you feel called to engage in addressing complex issues in our world through the lens of God’s heart for the holistic restoration and flourishing of all people—we think it’s worth it, and we would love for you to join us on this journey!
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