Youth today are not satisfied with simple answers. They want more than clichés from people who do not recognize the complexity of their world. The BA Youth Ministry trains students to be specialists equipped to help meet the needs of young people and their families. The program has a solid foundation in biblical studies and theology, a strong emphasis on the social sciences (and psychology in particular), and a primary focus on courses that explore the profession of youth ministry and its relationship to the broader church.
Beyond the classroom, students in the BA Youth Ministry are required to complete two separate internships in which they work in a church or ministry context. More broadly, this experiential component is complemented by opportunities to be directly involved in working with youth in local churches, local high schools, Youth Quake, a nearby youth drop-in centre, and other possibilities. The BA Youth Ministry seeks to provide students with the character development, spiritual growth, biblical and theological grounding, and skills needed for full-time or lay youth ministry.
This program also provides the option for further study at the graduate or undergraduate level, particularly in the areas of youth ministry or other ministry-related studies. While most graduates pursue formal ministry positions, some graduates have found employment in group homes for adolescents and other service sector occupations.
The BA Youth Ministry requires 36 credit hours of course work within the major and 12 credit hours of cognate requirements. At least 27 credit hours of the major and cognate requirements must be at the 300+ level. Like most Briercrest programs, the BA Youth Ministry requires a minimum of 39 credit hours of 300+ level course work within the context of a 120 credit hour degree.
Credit Hours: 120
I. Required Courses (24 credit hours)
PSY 382 Psychology of Human Development: Adolescents
YM 100 Foundations of Youth Ministry
YM 210 Evangelism and Discipleship of Youth
YM 238 Youth Ministry Internship I (3 credit hours)
YM 397 Youth Ministry Skills Lab
YM 438 Youth Ministry Internship II (6 credit hours)
YM 494 Career Youth Ministry
II. Elective Courses (12 credit hours)
CM 461 Issues in Ministry Leadership
FMST 316 Families in Crisis
NTST 110 Introduction to Native Studies
PSY 379 Psychology of Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics
PSY 441 Contemporary Counselling Issues
SOC 392 Sociology of Youth in North America
YM 220 Camp and Youth Ministries
YM 355 Teaching and Preaching to Youth
YM 410 Studies in Contemporary Adolescent Issues
III. Cognate Requirements (12 credit hours)
Church and its Context requirements (6 credit hours):
CM 461 Issues in Ministry Leadership (if not taken above)
COMM/PAST 355 Homiletics
HIS 431 History of Christianity in Canada
PAST 437 Pastoral Theology
PAST 438 Practical Theology
PAST 453 Variety in Preaching
PAST 466 Soul Care
THEO 301 Worship in the Christian Tradition
Biblical and Theological Studies Requirements (6 credit hours beyond the core requirements):
300+ Biblical Studies (BLST) or Theology (THEO) course(s)
GRK 200 Introductory Greek I
GRK 201 Introductory Greek II
HEB 200 Introductory Hebrew I
HEB 201 Introductory Hebrew II
PHI 455 Philosophy of Religion
Free Electives (to bring credit hour total to 120 credit hours)
PRT 400 Senior Portfolio (non-credit)
SL 1-6 Service and Experiential Learning (non-credit)
In addition, all Bachelor of Arts degrees require the completion of Briercrest's core curriculum.
