Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry
Focusing on ministries with children, adolescents, and families, for staff positions in congregations, outdoor ministries, and other church agencies
The Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry degree prepares individuals for numerous vocational opportunities with children, youth, and families. This may include congregational ministry, campus ministry, outdoor ministry, and churchwide leadership.
Students in the Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry degree program will study scripture, as well as the church’s historical and theological tradition. They will read and interpret contexts of mission and ministry and learn how to lead and navigate within them. Through their training, students will become capable leaders for the church’s youth and family ministry, all the while growing in resiliency and healthy faith journeys.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry degree requires 58 credit hours. Required courses include 26 semester hours in biblical studies, theology, church history, ministry, and denominational identity; 19 semester hours in specialized youth and family ministry courses; 3 semester hours in a focused elective area; and 10 semester hours of general electives. The degree also requires 200 hours of supervised field experience.
A full-time student may complete the degree within two years. However, many persons prefer part-time study while fully employed. Summer courses and evening classes help facilitate part-time study.
Required Courses (26 credits)
Bible Division
- BL 1021 - Old Testament I
- BL 1041 - Old Testament II
- BL 2022 - New Testament I
- BL 2042 - New Testament II
Non-Credit Requirements
- FDN 1010 - Boundaries Training (Non-Credit)
- FDN 1020 - Anti-Racism Training (Non-Credit)
History-Theology-Society Division
- HTS 1021 - Themes in Church History
- HTS 2031 - Lutheran Confessions (Non-Lutherans may take a course appropriate to their own tradition)
- HTS 2044 - Systematic Theology
Ministry Division
- MN 1001 - Person in Ministry
- MN 1031 - Introduction to Worship
History-Theology-Society Elective Courses (3 Credit Hours)
- Choose one HTS course from the World Religions/Interreligious or Church in the World course offerings.
Specialized Courses (19 Credit Hours)
- HTS 2511 - Theology & Human Sexuality
- MN 1050 - Reading the Contexts
- MN 3041- Education Ministry
- MN 1672 - Spanish Liturgy
- MN 2403 - Youth and Young Adult Ministries
- MN 2408 - Family Ministry
- MN 3415 - Advanced Seminar in Youth and Family Ministries
Elective Courses (10 Credit Hours)
- Choose 10 credit hours of coursework in Biblical Literature (BL), Ministry Division (MN), History-Theology-Society (HTS), or Language Acquisition (LA).
CONTEXTUAL EDUCATION
A minimum of 200 hours of supervised field experience will be completed in consultation with the Contextual Education Office. This will typically be done through a Leadership in Context placement for 3 consecutive semesters. The aim is for students to engage in the practice of ministry within the framework of academic study and theological reflection.
DEGREE OUTCOMES
For the sake of the mission of the church, graduates of the Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry degree program at Trinity Lutheran Seminary should be able to:
- Use appropriately the resources of scripture and the church’s historical and theological tradition
- Read and interpret critically contexts of mission and ministry
- Articulate a vision for youth and family ministry appropriate to the mission of the church
- Provide capable leadership for the church's youth and family ministry
- Demonstrate a healthy and resilient faith