BA in Youth and Family Ministries

APU’s youth and family ministries major helps students develop a personal philosophy of ministry based on their strengths and calling to apply in future church leadership roles.

45 units

The youth and family ministries major trains, equips, and educates students to effectively reach and minister to adolescents in an increasingly diverse global context. This major is built upon the premise that effective youth work requires the youth worker to be a student of God’s Word, culture, and adolescence. Upon completion of this Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Family Ministries, students are equipped to step into youth and family ministry contexts and/or graduate programs.

Requirements

Successful completion of the major requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all courses required for the major.

Specific General Education Requirements for Youth and Family Ministries Majors
MIN 108
Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry
PHIL 100
Introduction to Philosophy
THEO 200
Theology and the Christian Life
UBBL 100
Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy
UBBL 230
Luke/Acts
Undergraduate Division Core
UBBL 3XX/4XX: Upper-division Bible Course 13
Select one of the following:3
PHIL 301
Practical Ethics 2
PHIL 303
Reasons for Faith: Exploring the Rationality of the Existence of God and Christianity
PHIL 315
History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 316
Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 320
History of Early Modern Philosophy
PHIL 325
History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy
PHIL 330
Ethics
Select one of the following:3
THEO 352
Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation 3
THEO 354
Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present 3
Select one of the following:3
MIN 496
Senior Seminar: Church and Society 4
PHIL 496
Senior Seminar 4
THEO 496
Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues 4
Youth and Family Ministries Major Core
WRIT 200Writing 2: Writing for Christian Practice 53
or MIN 206 Introduction to Practical Theology
MIN 300Writing 3: Culture and Ministry 63
MIN 301Adolescent Development in Family Ministry3
MIN 401Christian Ministry Internship I 73
MIN 417The Art of Leadership 73
MINY 203Introduction to Contemporary Youth and Family Ministries3
MINY 226Studying and Teaching the Bible3
MINY 400Christian Values and Human Sexuality3
MINY 403Adolescent Issues and Intervention3
Youth and Family Ministries Electives
Select two of the following:6
MIN 350
Mentoring and Small Groups
MIN 495
Topics in Ministry
MINC 253
Evangelism and Discipleship
MINC 318
Theology and Practice of Ministry
MINC 330
Intercultural Ministries 8
MINC 370
Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
MINC 405
Christian Mission in the 21st Century
MINC 408
Principles of Preaching
MINC 420
Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities
MINC 430
Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry 8
MINC 456
Ministry Organization and Administration
MINC 467
Spiritual Transformation
MINC 487
Exegeting the City
Total Units45
1

This is in addition to the General Education upper-division Bible requirement; students must choose one of the other upper-division courses offered by the department.

2

Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Theology requirement.

4

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

5

WRIT 200 meets the General Education Writing 2 requirement.

6

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

7

MIN 401 and MIN 417 require concurrent enrollment. 

8

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Demonstrate proficiency in communication.
    2.
  2. Apply practical theology methodologies in ministry contexts.
    3.
  3. Develop a healthy awareness of one’s self, gifts, and/or callings.
    4.
  4. Exhibit increased capacities to cultivate inclusive communities.
    5.
  5. Demonstrate competence related to skills required for Christian leadership.
    6.
  6. Articulate how their maturing theology informs their Christian practice.