Develop movements that transform the lives of the urban poor
M.A. in Transformational Urban Leadership (MATUL)
ACTION-BASED
In this program, simply absorbing information in the classroom isn't enough. What you study in the morning you'll find yourself using that afternoon.
MENTORSHIP-DRIVEN
Be mentored by experienced professors and learn the ropes from movement leaders at NGOs and churches.
SERVE THE MARGINALIZED
Your research project won't be theoretical; it will actually help people in dire situations like refugee camps, sex trafficking, and impoverished communities.
LIVE & WORK IN URBAN CONTEXTS
Live and work shoulder-to-shoulder with local leaders in an informal urban settlement or in a major U.S. city.
Experience the MATUL Program in Action
Leading Change in Urban Communities
The MATUL program combines practical experience with academic study, preparing students to address complex challenges in global megacities. By engaging directly with marginalized communities, students develop the skills necessary for spiritual, socioeconomic, political, and environmental transformation.
Globally, the urban poor face challenges with land rights, education, illness, and exploitation.
In U.S. cities there is a similar experience of oppression in marginalized communities.
These issues are not solved easily. Leaders are needed to rise up and meet these challenges head-on.
QUICK LINKS
BECOME A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER
MATUL is a field-based program that prepares students to implement spiritual, socioeconomic, political, and environmental change around the world.
LEARN FROM LOCAL LEADERS
Study and work alongside local leaders of social and church movements while partnering with community organizations.
CREATE CRUCIAL ACADEMIA
Your research helps solve development issues among the urban poor.
PARTICIPATE IN POWERFUL MOVEMENTS
Organize projects to catalyze local leadership such as small group multipliction, self-help savings groups, teacher training, etc.
Program Overview
The MATUL prepares leaders among the poor to engage with the complex issues and realities of global megacities. Learn how to become a transformational leader, create critical academia, and develop powerful movements.
global cohort of national leaders
U.S. Cohort of urban leaders
Read More About The History of The MATUL
36-42 Credits
Develop as a Scholar-Activist
Students learn a systems-based approach to development that takes all the factors of an issue into account to solve the root causes of an issue. This results in lasting solutions that truly help people and communities develop.
2-5 Years
Length of Program
Full-time, the MATUL is six semesters that takes on average two years. Part-time students taking one course per semester takes on average three-four years.
DEAC
Accreditation
WCIU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. DEAC is the preeminent accrediting organization for US-based distance education.
What Will You Gain?
Urban Leadership Expertise
Learn skills that range from communicating the gospel and small group formation to the complexities of community and international development.
Spiritual and Character Formation
Receive mentorship from NGO management and community leaders who supervise character-building fieldwork.
A Broader Theological Lens
Join the ranks of top theological thinkers on poverty through theological reflection, studying global literature, and working with the urban poor.
Cross-Cultural Capacities
Learn crucial cross-cultural skills such as communication, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and anthropology.
Our faculty is multi-ethnic and globally based with years of on-the-field experience.
MATUL features courses taught by experts from around the world, facilitating a truly global classroom experience. Instructors model academic excellence, as well as a commitment to action. MATUL faculty share decades of ministry and work among the urban poor.
COHORT COMMUNITY
As they study in different cities and cultures around the globe, MATUL students meet virtually each week for classes via video chat. Cohort members discuss course material and share reflections on local expressions of global concerns.
LOCAL MENTORS
MATUL students partner with local church and community leaders during the course of the program. When Brandon and Paul's community in Metro Manila flooded during a typhoon, they looked to Pastor Rosales to model the church's role in community disaster response. Brandon and Paul worked alongside Pastor Rosales, who helped organize rescue teams, deliver food and medicine to stranded community members, and used the church as a shelter during the typhoon.
Course Information
The MATUL is composed of core courses, electives, and various service-learning opportunities.
Core Courses
TUL 500: Visions for the Ideal City
TUL 503: Language & Culture Learning 1
TUL 504: LANGUAGE & CULTURE LEARNING 2
TUL 520: Urban Spirituality
TUL 530: Building Faith Communities (SL)
TUL 540: Social Science Theories of the City
TUL 560: Theory & Practice of Community Economics (SL)
TUL 620: Leadership in Urban Movements
TUL 670: Qualitative Urban Research Methods
TUL 675: Integrative Research Project
Elective Courses
TUL 535 Community Transformation (SL)
TUL 550: Solidarity with the Marginalized (SL)
TUL 555: Educational Development in Poor Communities (SL)
TUL 640: Entrepreneurial & Organizational Leadership (SL)
TUL 645: Resourcing organizations for social impact
TUL 650: Urban Community Health Programs (SL)
TUL 655: Advocacy & the Urban Environment (SL)
*SL indicates that service learning is included as part of the course. The course involves 1 credit of action in working with a local community organization or church and 2 credits of reflection.
What Makes MATUL Different From Other Programs?
Action-Reflection Courses
Residence with the urban poor enables students to combine living, action, and formal learning in an integrated approach to leadership development.
Online Delivery &
Hands On Experience
Courses combine compassionate action, social analysis, character development, and theological reflection.
Field Support
The challenge of living and learning in distressed environments is balanced with a high level of practical support - field mentors, local family support, and close-knit cohorts.
Building Faith Communities
Students are challenged with creating small communities and groups where they are serving.
Church Movements
Students work alongside NGOs and church leadership developing campaigns, programs, and movements.
Theology-Driven
Our courses all have a theological foundation. Each course is 1/3 theology, 1/3 social analysis, and 1/3 action.
Integrative Research Project
The degree culminates in a final project, completed in partnership with a local NGO or church. This project must be academically sound and reach beyond the theoretical. All projects are presented to the partner organization for evaluation and implementation. Students must become skilled “oral culture” communicators and be able to present written/oral communication to academia.
Here are a few graduates’ research projects that have been implemented or utilized by the partnering organization:
● "Pakikipagkapwa-Tao: Stories of Leaders Working Among the Poor"
● “A Community Organizer Training Course: Tools and Resources for Favela Leaders in Rio de Janeiro”
How To Get Your M.A. in
Transformational Urban Leadership
1. Study Online
Take courses online and interact with your cohort from anywhere in the world.
2. Gain Practical Experience
Begin working in a highly impoverished area. Some students work close to home while others move into other countries or communities.
3. Do A Final Research Project
Complete a capstone project in partnership with a local NGO or church.
4. Become A Movement Leader
Start shaping movements that help the marginalized communities around you.
