Degree Requirements

Major

Fifteen credits including:

Theology core (6 credits):

• REL 210 Research Methods in Religion
• REL 301 Interpreting the Old Testament
• REL 302 Interpreting the New Testament
• REL 362 Martin Luther and the Reformation
• REL 481 Contemporary Theology
• REL 495 Religion Keystone

Youth and family ministry core (4 credits):

• YFM 208 Vocational Formation I [required non-credit experience]
• YFM 209 Vocational Formation II [required non-credit experience]
• YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families
• YFM 305 Ministry Practices
• YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
• YFM 399 Internship

Youth and family ministry electives (1 credit):

• YFM 205 Exploring Topics in Youth and Family Ministry (students will choose two topics courses from a list of 0.5 credit courses)

One REL or YFM course from the following list (1 credit):

• YFM 232 Peer Ministry
• YFM 316 Church and Culture in Context
• REL 343 Theology of Marriage and Family
• REL 345 The Lutheran Heritage (required for A.I.M. certification)
• REL 353 Denominations and Religious Groups in America
• REL 356 World Religions
• REL 357 Giants of Christian Faith
• REL 425 Christian Spiritual Practices

And three supporting courses (3 credits):

• SOC 231 Family Systems: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
• PSY 105 Principles of Psychology
• PSY 250 Child Development
  or PSY 252 Adolescent and Young Adult Development
  or SWK 260 Humans Developing

Note: A student with a youth and family ministry major or minor may not also major or minor in religion.

Minor

The minor consists of the following five credits:

• YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families (1 credit)

One youth and family ministry course from (1 credit):

• YFM 305 Ministry Practices
• YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church

One Bible survey course from (1 credit):

• REL 301 Interpreting the Old Testament
• REL 302 Interpreting the New Testament

One theology course from (1 credit):

• REL 362 Theology of the Reformers
• REL 481 Contemporary Theology

and one course from the theology core, YFM core, or YFM electives as listed in the major (1 credit).

Graduation Skills

The Critical Thinking (CT), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Speaking (S), and Writing (W) graduation skills are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major. Transfer students must consult an advisor about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.

Course Maximums

A student majoring in YFM may take apply up to 15 courses from the religion department toward graduation if they are required to take REL 100 and 200, and the 15th course is a REL or YFM study abroad course or the Lilly Scholar Seminar. If the student is required to take REL 300, they may apply up to 14 courses if the 14th course is a REL or YFM study abroad course or the Christensen Scholar Seminar.

Associate in Ministry (A.I.M.)

Course work completed with the major fulfills part of the requirements for Associate in Ministry (A.I.M.) status within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Students interested in A.I.M. certification should consult with their home synod and with a YFM adviser no later than their second year.