Youth and Family Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Youth and Family Studies

The youth and family studies major prepares students to establish, develop and evaluate a ministry to youth in a church or para-church organization. Emphasis is on understanding youth in their everyday lives grounded in a biblical theology of seeing youth created in God's image. The major also lays a foundation for seminary/graduate study. The degree is granted upon completion of 125 credits as specified in the catalog (40 credits must be in 3000- or 4000-level courses).

  • Social Science course in core curriculum must include PSY2108.
  • Biblical Worldview & Academic Disciplines course in core curriculum: MIN2216 (OCE).
  • B.A. option requires achieving 1002-level competency in an approved foreign language. See the catalog.

Ministry Core

30 cr
ICS2015World Religions4
MIN1005Introduction to Ministry2
MIN2105Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Ministry2
MIN2106Relationships3
MIN2216Teaching Methods in Ministry (OCE)
(see Academic Disciplines requirement above)
MIN3205Human Sexuality4
MIN3216Leadership in Ministry (WCE)4
MIN3226Family Studies3
MIN3231Introduction to Biblical Counseling4
MIN4991Ministry Internship I2
MIN4992Ministry Internship II2

Youth and Family Studies Required Courses

10 cr
YOU2205Foundations of Youth Ministry2
YOU3206Everyday Lives of Adolescents and Youth2
YOU3207Spiritual Lives of Adolescents and Youth2
YOU3208Practice of Youth Ministry4

Select from the following12 cr
CFD3308Adolescent Development2
CRJ3226Corrections4
CRJ3228Deviance4
CRJ4325Juvenile Deliquency2
ENG3245Writing for Ministry and Profit2
FIN3025Personal Money Management2
ICS3015Race and Ethnicity in America4
MIN1641, 1642, 1643, 1644Christian Service I, II, III,. IV1–4
MIN3227Camping and Ministry2
MIN3232Practice of Biblical Counseling2
MIN3603, 3604Ministry Experience I, II2–4
MIN3805Topics in Ministry2–4
PAS4305Communicating the Biblical Message4
SOC2035Social Problems4
THE1056Drama and Ministry2

Note: WCE= Written Communication Emphasis; OCE = Oral Communication Emphasis. See the catalog for explanation and prerequisites.