Master of Arts in Leadership in Social Transformation

The Master of Arts in Leadership in Social Transformation program will equip you with the theological, strategic, organization and practical skills to lead social transformation in a wide variety of organizational contexts, including nonprofits, philanthropy, congregations, community organizing, public service, education, business, politics, social justice advocacy and activism, and other community contexts. The program provides a broad foundation in theology, religious texts, ethics, and leadership as well as focused study in areas specific to a chosen career path.

You’ll be equipped to think critically about socio-political dynamics and reflect constructively on the role of spiritual and theological traditions in movements for social change. This professional graduate program combines the tools and methodologies of social change with practical and constructive theology to prepare you to be an innovative and effective leader for an increasingly pluralistic and complex world.

If you wish to receive training for ministerial competencies along with social transformation skills, check out the MDiv in Social Transformation.

This program may be a good fit for you if you are interested in:

• Increasing your proficiency and leadership within your current vocational context
• Establishing yourself within the sector of your vocational aspiration
• Launching your own social enterprise or social ministry

You could serve in a variety of contexts, including:

• Congregational community engagement
• Teaching
• National faith-based advocacy
• Organizing for eco-justice
• And much more

CONCENTRATION LEARNING OUTCOMES

In addition to achieving the core MAL degree learning outcomes, a graduate of the MAL in Social Transformation program will be able to:

• articulate a moral-ethical praxis of social transformation situated within the justice imperatives of the student’s faith tradition or community and in conversation with broader movements for justice (this outcome replaces the Constructive Theology MDiv degree outcome);
• demonstrate cultural competence and strategic skills necessary for just and effective engagement in diverse social, cultural and political contexts;
• understand and relate historical and contemporary knowledge of social transformation movements in a variety of cultural settings;
• utilize a variety of tools and methodologies to critically analyze sociopolitical issues. (i.e. race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, nationality etc.);
• identify appropriate strategic points of leverage for transformational change for a specific social issue that demonstrate a deep understanding of complex organization and social dynamics;
• utilize appropriate core strategies for social change that reflect an understanding of those strategies including intended outcomes, strengths and weaknesses, and required competencies;
• demonstrate transformational leadership through the intentional, real world application of hermeneutical and strategic frameworks for faithful public witness and action in the world; and
• document and reflect upon the completed project, including its impact on the community and contribution to the field of social transformation.

United’s MAL at a Glance

• 48 credits
• Sixteen 3-credit courses, including one field experience and a final project
• Can be completed in two years if you take a full-time course load (24 credits per year)
• All MAL concentrations, including Social Transformation, can be completed entirely via distance learning