The M.A. in Global Development and Justice (MAGDJ) program prepares students to work across the nexus of justice, peacebuilding, and transformational community development work. Together with biblical insights and best practices, the degree program prepares community development leaders, cross-cultural workers, justice leaders, and humanitarian specialists in cross-sector vocational skills.
This academic experience is fully online (or on-campus) with several face-to-face opportunities available, including global immersion classes with your professors and fellow peers. If you are inspired by holistic, sustainable solutions that build capacity in vulnerable communities in the U.S. or abroad, our online MAGDJ program is designed for you.
Ways to study
Graduate | On-campus | Online
Program tracks
Standard | Accelerated | Executive | Part-time
Course schedule
One class at a time for Standard Track
Certificates available
Peacebuilding | Bible Foundations
Course plan
12-months to 4-years
Application deadlines
Optional Global Immersion Classes
In this class, you will gain insights from practitioners working in NGOs outside of the U.S. in our 10-day immersion experiences. Previous global immersion classes have taken students to Costa Rica, Israel, Rwanda, and Thailand with faculty guides. On these trips, you will analyze historical and contemporary theories, evaluate socio-cultural contexts and socio-economic perspectives, and grow in your 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 foundational course focuses on understanding the history of development, justice, and peacebuilding work in both domestic and international contexts. Emphasis is placed on understanding the primary theories (both macro and micro) associated with the practice of transformational development initiatives. The prominence of best practices across the nexus of development, justice, and peacebuilding work is highlighted while examining how Christian witness and Christ-centered transformation in the lives of individuals and their communities is realized.
This course explores faith-based strategies for responding to the needs of individuals and communities impacted by conflict and natural disasters, with emphasis on the unique needs of refugees and internally displaced persons. Emphasis is placed upon effective partnerships which promote opportunities for human flourishing through capacity building, participation, and localization efforts, as well as standards for quality of care and accountability for humanitarian organizations. Students will grow in awareness of cultural, contextual, and antecedent factors to the crisis, as well as ethical dilemmas in the humanitarian sphere.
Focuses on children and youth living in vulnerable and at-risk conditions and highlights preventive and restorative interventions from an integrated and cross-disciplinary perspective. Development, justice, and peace-building responses include a survey of best practices that lead children toward restoring their relationship with God and others in society. Critical topics like child protection and participation, and the role of advocacy play a prominent role in the course.
This course introduces peacebuilding and transformative justice in light of current research and biblical/theological principles. Students will seek to develop strategies to respond to violence in ways that not only address the immediate crisis, but also work to transform the conditions that fostered violence and injustice; thus helping communities work together to promote healing, accountability, resilience, and safety for all involved. Students will examine approaches to peacebuilding and transformative justice in NGO, church, and community contexts. The unique role of faith communities will also be explored.
Degree Requirements
Here you will find everything you need to know about what is required to successfully complete your degree.
“My time in the online MAGDJ program was invaluable in my development personally and professionally. I loved that the online format gave me the flexibility I needed, while still delivering quality courses and assignments. I am grateful for the amazing teachers and fellow students I was able to meet, even being virtual. My life and worldview are forever changed thanks to the work God did in my heart through this program!”
Jennifer Bell '19, MAGDJ
Program Certificates (Optional)
Peacebuilding
The Peacebuilding certificate at Multnomah University examines approaches to peacebuilding in contexts of physical, cultural, and systemic violence seeking to develop frameworks for reducing violence and promoting shalom in communities.
The name of this certificate is Peacebuilding, which reflects an emphasis on human flourishing and dignity while emphasizing a theological engagement with the topic. Specifically, this certificate reflects a focus on the theological notion of Shalom and our institution’s mission to shape students to be a transforming force in the church, community, and world.
Bible Foundations
This certificate is for those who plan to work in a vocational ministry or a church context and do not have previous biblical training. The Bible Foundations certificate in MAGDJ includes earning a certificate offered by Multnomah Biblical Seminary (MBS). This 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 community development, justice, and peace work initiatives, both domestically and abroad. With your M.A. in Global Development & Justice, you will be prepared for any of the following careers:
• Children at Risk Specialist | • Humanitarian Worker | • Global Justice Leader |
• Inter-governmental Worker | • Outreach Entrepreneur | • Volunteer Aid Worker |
• Development and Relief Specialist | • Community Development Worker | • Missions and Outreach Pastor |
MAGDJ Internship Program
For those just starting off in community development and justice careers, 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, while gaining valuable experience as you continue to get your education.
For the more experienced student, 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 to research issues that lead to new solutions for communities in need. For more on these options please consult with the Director of the MAGDJ program.
Learn More about MAGDJ Internships
Ready!Development and Justice Podcast
This podcast seeks to highlight a faith-based understanding around the nexus of Transformational Community Development, Justice, and Peacebuilding as seen in the approach and lives of graduates, instructors, and partners of the Global Development and Justice program (MAGDJ) at Multnomah University.
Listen to our Development and Justice Podcast
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