program outline
Each course within the Youth Ministry Leadership program is 10 weeks in length. We begin with online communication, learning activities and fellowship. Three days of intense, meaningful class time will follow, giving students and faculty the opportunity to meet, discuss, debate and theorize on relevant topics. These face-to-face sessions are hosted all across the country, sometimes in conjunction with events such as The National Youth Workers Convention. The remaining coursework and research activity will be facilitated through online interaction.
The program consists of twelve 3-hour courses, a 2-hour mentoring experience and a 4-hour culmination research project (split over two Quarters) sponsored by one of the faculty. In sum, this degree is 42 credit hours and can be completed in little as two and half years. View the program schedule.
In addition to the program core, students select classes from three curricular content areas which guide the coursework. Beyond the content area requirements, students may choose additional courses from any of the content areas to fulfill the 42 credit hour requirement.
Program Core – 6 Hours
YL 500 Mentoring Experience for Youth Ministry Leadership
YL 650 Culmination Research Project for Youth Ministry Leadership I
YL 651 Culmination Research Project for Youth Ministry Leadership II
Professional Leadership & Expertise within Youth Ministry – 9 Hours
YL 525* Qualitative Research in Youth Ministry
YL 527 Communication Strategies for Youth Ministry Leadership
YL 535* Assessment Strategies in Youth Ministry
YL 540 Commission Care for Youth Ministry
YL 545 Collaboration Strategies for Youth Ministry
YM 557 Student Leadership in Youth Ministry
Theological Faithfulness – 9 Hours
YL 507* Thinking Theologically in Youth Ministry
YL 510 Leadership Movements in Youth Ministry
YL 515 Theology of Discipleship Evangelism
YL 517 Christological Foundations for Youth Ministry
YL 520 Theology of the Church for Youth Ministry
Adolescent Specialization – 9 Hours
YL 550 Cultural Influences on Youth Ministry
YL 555 Urban Social Context and Youth Ministry
YL 557 Ministry to At-Risk Youth
YL 565 Issues in Adolescent Development
YL 570 Counseling for Youth and Family Ministry
YM 527 Sociology of Adolescence
Elective courses from any specialization - 9 Hours
* Required Courses