In keeping with North Greenville University’s Statement of Purpose, the Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry seeks to equip students who desire to enter youth ministry positions through the local church and other organizations to integrate academic discipline, theological understanding, and biblical worldview in a comprehensive effort to “cultivate transformational leaders for church and society” by offering a program of study in biblical, historical, theological, and practical courses. In addition to a scholarly study of the Bible and Christianity, students will receive instruction related to understanding trends in American youth culture, developing a theology and philosophy of youth ministry, examining approaches to crisis issues with which youth struggle, and developing ministry programs to meet the needs of youth. A broad liberal arts foundation undergirds this program in a distinctively Christian context.
The goals of the Bachelor of Arts program in Youth Ministry are to (1) provide students with biblical and theological foundations for ministry by combining spiritual development and field experience in a robust course of study; (2) shape students in a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and a deeper love for Christ and his church by developing the heart and mind holistically; (3) equip students to understand and communicate the Bible and its message in fulfilment of the church’s worldwide mission through proper methods of interpretation and use of accepted English standards in speaking and writing; (4) teach students the research procedures necessary to discover high quality, doctrinally faithful resources for academic discipleship in the classroom and the church; (5) and train students to comprehend, analyze, and integrate primary and secondary sources of biblical, theological, historical, and ethical thought in preparation for ministry and for advanced study in seminary or graduate school.
The BA in Youth Ministry requires that the student earn at least 128 hours of course credit. Students choosing the Youth Ministry major must complete the core curriculum requirements listed below as a part of the degree program. Students must complete the foreign language component of the degree either with at least six (6) hours in two languages or twelve (12) hours in one. American Sign Language (ASL) does not count as a foreign language for the purposes of this requirement. Transfer students must earn at least twenty-nine (29) hours, including twelve (12) hours in Youth Ministry, at North Greenville University. In addition, CHST-3210 and CHST-4210 (Youth Ministry Internships I and II) must also be earned at North Greenville University.
The major consists of sixty-four (64) hours within the College of Christian Studies with special focus on Youth Ministry courses. The following courses are required of all Youth Ministry majors: CHST-1309, CHST-1310, CHST-1320, CHST-2303, CHST-2351, CHST-2390, and CHST-3350. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 in the sixty-four (64) major hours is required for graduation. At least six hours (6) must be taken both from the Biblical Studies and Historical/Theological/Ethical areas. The course classification is given at the end of individual entries in the course description section of the catalog. Courses with no designation there are either required courses or may be used as a Christian Studies elective or a free elective only. Many Christian Studies courses may be applied to either the Youth Ministry degree program or to the Christian Studies degree program, but the same course may not be applied to both degree programs. Majors in the College of Christian Studies cannot minor in the College of Christian Studies.
Core Curriculum
First Year Experience, Choose 1 (1 Credit)
Communication, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
Literature, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
Fine Arts, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
| HIST-1385 | Western Civ in a Global Context Since 1517 | 3 |
Math, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
| - | Any 1000-level math course 1310 or higher | 3 |
Required
| PSYC-2310 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL-1310 | Scientific Inquiry in a Living World | 3 |
| PHSC-1430 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World | 4 |
| PHSC-1431 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World Lab | 0 |
Civic Awareness, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
| PLSC-2310 | American National Government | 3 |
| HIST-2310 | United States History to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST-2320 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 44 |
Major Requirements
Foreign Language: Choose twelve credit hours of foreign language from FREN, GERM, GREK, HEBR, or SPAN. Selection can be twelve hours from the same language, or six hours from two separate languages.
Major Electives
Choose one from:
Required
| CHST-x3xx | Biblical Studies (OT)* | 3 |
| CHST-x3xx | Biblical Studies (NT)* | 3 |
| CHST-x3xx | Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies | 3 |
*Choose two Biblical Studies courses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, with at least one at the 4000-level.
Choose two from: (6 Credits)
| CHST-3345 | Youth Evangelism and Discipleship | 3 |
| CHST-3346 | Youth Ministry Conference Practicum | 3 |
| CHST-3349 | Adult Leaders in Youth Ministry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
| Total Free Elective Requirements |
8 |
| Total Degree Requirements |
128 |