Children and Family Ministry Program

Bachelor of Theology: Children and Family Ministry (4 year – 120 credits)

In keeping with the University mission and in support of its educational philosophy, this program is designed to provide an understanding of the development of children in their families, and to equip learners with teaching, caring and administrative skills to effectively minister to children and their families. Students will need to produce the results of a Criminal Record Check before being permitted to participate in practicum or internship experiences associated with the program.

Profile of the Graduating Student

In pursuit of the ministry program objectives and the professional ministry outcomes, the graduates of this degree are:

• committed to and have mastered key components of making healthy disciples;
• aware of current thinking regarding child development and the socializing influences on families in North America;
• confident and competent in such ministry tasks as curriculum choice and design, volunteer recruitment and administration, and working in a multi-staff environment;
• prepared to evaluate their ministry, being committed to ongoing improvement to more effectively minister in today’s cultural contexts.

Bachelor of Theology Children and Family Ministry 
Program Requirements (4 year - 120 credits)

UNI 101 The Ambrose Experience (non-credit)

Personal and Pastoral Foundations (18 credits)
ICS 205 Intercultural Competence
PST 161 Introduction to Mission
PST 212 Pastoral Theology
PST 307 Evangelism and Discipleship in the Church
PST 320 Leadership and Leadership Development
REL 211 Spiritual Formation in the Christian Tradition

Biblical Foundations (18 credits)
REL 105 Introduction to the Bible
REL 315 Hermeneutics
3 credits in New Testament
3 credits in Old Testament
6 credits in Old Testament or New Testament

Theology and History (21 credits)
HI 263 History of Christianity
3 senior credits in History
REL 161 Introduction to Christian Theology
REL 261 Issues in Systematic Theology
9 credits in Theology (can include REL 281, REL 282, REL 301, REL 358, REL 361, REL 362, REL 364, REL 367, REL 369, REL 372, REL 373, REL 377, REL 378, REL 380, REL 381, REL 299 or 399 or 405, REL 401, REL 404, REL 460 or 490)

Children and Family Ministry Courses (15 credits)
PST 319 Volunteer Ministry
PST 321 Teaching Children for Faith Formation
PST 322 Leadership Essentials for Children and Family Ministry
PST 323 Family Ministry Essentials
One of the following:
     All Professional Studies (PST) courses at the 200 level and above (excluding those required elsewhere in the degree)
     BUS 305 Management of Non-Profit Organizations
     HI 313 Christianity in Canada
     PS 220 Child Development
     PS 305 Psychology of Family
     REL 130 Introduction to World Religions
     SO 200 Sociology of Families
     SO 440 Religion and Culture in Canada

Field Education (12 credits)
FE 200.1/201.1 Practicum and Reflection I and II (3 credits)
FE 300a/b Ministry Internship (6 credits)
FE 400 Transition to Vocational Ministry (3 credits)

Arts and Science Minor #1 (18 credits)
One of the following:

• Behavioural Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Arts and Science Minor #2 (18 credits)
One of the following:

• Acting
• Biblical Languages
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Community Development
• Dance
• Ecology
• English
• History
• Intercultural Studies
• Liberal Arts
• Music
• Non-Profit Management
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Sociology

*Note: Psychology or Sociology cannot be chosen for Minor #2 if Behavioural Science is Minor #1.

General Requirements for Completion and Graduation

• Completion of The Ambrose Experience (UNI 101) (non-credit; this course is required for all programs, and must be completed within the first two semesters of enrolment. Students who do not complete UNI 101 may not be permitted to continue in their program.)
• Completion of a total of 120 credits (as outlined above)
• A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.0