Youth Ministry Program

Bachelor of Theology: Youth Ministry (4 year – 120 credits)

In keeping with the University mission and in support of its educational philosophy, this academic program prepares students to relate their understanding of God’s Word to a rapidly changing youth culture. They will be equipped with tools to gain teaching, counselling, administrative and programming skills that will prepare them to serve the church and community in the area of youth ministry. 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 program are:

• committed to and have mastered key components of making healthy disciples;
• aware of individual and group differences, enabling them to minister to culturally diverse persons at all age levels;
• able to plan (both long term and short term) a ministry that will meet the needs of young people from junior high to young adults;
• able to exercise wisdom when considering program structure, program components and customizing the local church’s youth ministry;
• prepared to evaluate their ministry, being committed to ongoing improvement to minister more effectively in today’s cultural contexts.

This program of study is validated by the Church of the Nazarene’s International Course of Study Advisory Committee and satisfies educational requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. Students who intend to seek ordination in the Church of the Nazarene should email the Office of the Registrar so that a letter of Nazarene Validation can be issued with the degree parchment.

To meet the Course of Study requirements of the Church of the Nazarene, students must take the Nazarene Validation Minor as well as the following courses:

• Biblical Foundations electives: REL 210, REL 220, REL 240, and REL 332 or 335
• Theology and History electives: REL 358 and REL 373
• Youth Ministry electives: PST 201 and PST 370

Bachelor of Theology: Youth 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)

Youth Ministry Courses (15 credits)
PST 341 Strategies of Youth Ministry
PST 342 Contemporary Youth Issues
Three 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-Profits
     HI 313 Christianity in Canada
     PS 220 Child Development
     PS 305 Psychology of Families
     REL 130 Introduction to World Religions
     SO 200 Sociology of Families
     SO 301 Sociology of Youth
     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
• Nazarene Validation
• Non-Profit Management
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Sociology

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