Youth and Family Ministry
- Degree Requirements
Youth and Family Ministry Major Fourteen courses including:
Theology Core
- REL 210 Research Methods in Religion
- REL 301 Interpreting the Old Testament
- REL 302 Interpreting the New Testament
- REL 362 Theology of the Reformers
- REL 481 Contemporary Theology
- REL 495 Religion Seminar/Keystone
- YFM 208 Vocational Formation I (0 credit)
- YFM 209 Vocational Formation II (0 credit)
- YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families
- YFM 302 Ministry Practices
- YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
- YFM 399 Internship
- REL 345 The Lutheran Heritage
- REL 343 Theology of Marriage and Family
- REL 363 Religion in America
- REL 356 World Religions
- REL 357 Giants of Christian Faith
- REL 425 Christian Spiritual Practices
(students choose 2 of these .5 credit courses; not all courses are offered in a given year; additional .5 credit courses may be added)
- YFM 205.1 Ministry in the Great Outdoors
- YFM 205.2 Mission Trips and Service-Learning
- YFM 205.3 Media, Music and Ministry
- YFM 205.4 Youth Culture and Religion
- YFM 205.5 Urban Youth Ministry
- YFM 205.6 Youth Ministry on the Margins
- PSY 105 Principles of Psychology
- SOC 231 Family Systems
- PSY 250 Child Development or PSY 252 Adolescent and Young Adult Development or SWK 260 Humans Developing
Youth and Family Ministry Minor
The Youth and Family Ministry Minor is perfect for students who, though majoring in another discipline, may have interests in ministry with youth and their families. The requirements for the Youth and Family Ministry minor are:
- REL 301 Interpreting the Old Testament or REL 302 Interpreting the New Testament
- REL 362 Theology of the Reformers or REL 481 Contemporary Theology
- YFM 235 Basics of Youth and Family Ministry
- YFM 302 Ministry Practices
- YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
Religion Major/Minor
See description on Religion department webpage.
Prerequisites
Religion 100 (or 300 for advanced transfer students) is prerequisite to all other courses.
Graduation Requirements
Courses designated REL and YFM are offered by the religion department. A maximum of 13 total REL and YFM courses may be applied toward the 32-course requirement for graduation. Taking extra electives in REL or YFM may require students to complete more than the minimum 32 courses required for graduation.
Transfer Courses
All transfer courses for majors and minors, including ACTC courses, must be approved in writing by the chair. Only courses successfully completed (2.0 or above) within the last 10 years will be considered. In general, courses that meet the transfer guidelines may only be applied to elective credit for the major. Students who have taken an approved introductory course in Bible and/or Christian theology at another college may take REL 300 in place of the College REL 100 and 200 requirement; consult the registrar’s office.
Advising
All majors must have an adviser in the department.
Departmental Honors
GPA of 3.50 in the major and 3.00 overall, research project approved by the department, and colloquium with the department. Application must be received by the department by Dec. 30 of the student’s senior year.
Graduation Skills
The Critical Thinking (CT) graduation skill is embedded throughout the offered courses and is met by completing the major. The graduation skills in Speaking (S) and Writing (W) are met by completing the following courses:
S: REL 302
W: REL 362 and REL 495
Consult your YFM academic adviser for requirements for meeting the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) graduation skill. 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 Lilly 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.