Students have the opportunity to specialize their Children, Youth & Family Studies major by concentrating their studies in an area of personal interest. Examples include:

• Children, youth, and family ministry: Church-based children’s and youth ministry programs, teaching, program administration
• Human services: Community social services, program leadership, family resource centers
• Community outreach: Church-community partnerships, parachurch ministries, urban missions
• Christian education: Lifelong faith formation, adult education, intergenerational ministry
• Outdoor leadership: Camping ministry, outdoor recreation, adventure education
• Pre-counseling studies: Preparation for graduate-level counseling programs

The program includes an emphasis on practical learning experiences through practicum and internship courses closely related to the student’s unique interests, totaling up to 700 hours. A semester-long junior practicum involves working 4-6 hours per week in a local organization and the senior-year Field Experience provides a semester-long experience working full time in a church, agency, camp, school, or nonprofit organization.

Minors are offered in the following areas:

• Minor in Youth Ministry
• Minor in Children’s Ministry
• Minor in Pre-Counseling Studies
• Minor in Outdoor Leadership

View degree requirements

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