Students working on an urban garden project.

Urban Studies: Development

In this section

Urban Studies: Development at a glance

North Central’s Urban Studies: Development major will prepare you with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and hands-on experience you need to develop and lead ministry and service programs in urban areas. Through courses taught by experienced, passionate professors, you’ll learn to both lead diverse urban congregations and navigate the legal, regulatory, and organizational aspects of establishing and administering urban programs. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to make a big difference in urban communities.

What sets us apart

The skyline of downtown Minneapolis.
Internship opportunities

You’ll have opportunities to intern with community programs and service groups.

Read more. Hide

Get real-world experience and hands-on training

The internship experience is an important part of all programs in the College of Ministry at North Central. You’ll have opportunities to intern with NCU’s partner churches and organizations. Your internship will present you with new challenges and learning experiences as you prepare for your career after graduation and get one step closer to living out your calling.

One of the keys to a successful internship is the mentoring relationship you’ll form with your internship supervisor and your advising professor. We work with our partner churches and organizations to make sure your internship is a valuable, fulfilling experience. Plus, you’ll be supported, mentored, and coached by your advising professor throughout your internship and afterwards as you reflect on the experience. This will give you insights into your passions and God-given talents, and help you pursue a fulfilling career path. Plus, when you finish your internship you’ll have hands on experience in the field and a network of people who work in urban contexts and can recommend you to future employers—or hire you!

Take advantage of the resources offered by the Center for Youth & Leadership

North Central’s Center for Youth and Leadership exists to prepare, serve, and connect emerging and existing leaders who want to make a difference in the lives of youth.

Led by Brian Pingel, who has over 20 years of experience in the field of interactive youth ministry, the Center features passionate, expert professors, connections to local churches and organizations, a dedicated building with a coffee shop and lounge space, and resources to prepare you for a lifetime of ministering in urban settings.

A student serves in Minneapolis.
Service opportunities in Minneapolis

Our unique location provides a wide variety of service opportunities.

Read more. Hide

Make a difference in your community

North Central is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and our local community is an important part of the student experience. It’s our priority to serve the people around us and we work hard to make our neighborhood a better place. Through partnerships with community groups, you’ll have opportunities to get involved from the day you start at NCU. In the process, you’ll develop your ministry and leadership skills, get practical experience and hands-on training working with community organizations, and make valuable connections with people in the community.

Learn more about service opportunities at North Central.

  • Skills you’ll gain

    When you graduate from the Urban Studies: Development, you’ll be prepared to:

    • Communicate effectively across cultures
    • Identify attitudes and patterns that have marginalized people, including racism, sexism, ethnocentrism and classism
    • Apply the Gospel to contemporary issues of injustice, such as human trafficking, homelessness, and poverty
    • Understand the dynamics of diverse urban communities
    • Address critical issues faced by residents of urban communities
    • Plan, develop, and lead urban programs, relief organizations, and ministries
  • Potential careers

    Our graduates succeed in a variety of jobs and careers. Here are some possibilities:

    • Program coordinator
    • Community organizer
    • Teacher
    • Outreach coordinator
    • Public policy researcher
    • Urban planner
    • Volunteer coordinator
  • Minors & supporting programs

    We want you to be well-rounded and well-prepared when you graduate, so you’ll have the opportunity to choose a minor or supporting program so you can explore another area of interest. Here are some possibilities:

    • Alcohol & Drug Counseling
    • Business Administration
    • Campus Missions
    • Children & Family Ministries
    • Journalism
    • Intercultural Studies
    • International Development
    • Leadership Development
    • Pre-Law
    • Sociology

    See the full list of minors and supporting programs.

North Central students.
Outreach Director, Convoy of Hope

Jason Bachman '97
Springfield, MO

"I work with multiple cities, helping them to reach their communities through Convoy of Hope Community Events. These events are catalytic moments for churches to use in building bridges of compassion to their city. My Urban Seminar class gave me a great context for seeing urban ministry in action."

Requirements

All students must complete the General Education Core and Christian Studies Core. General electives may be added or an optional minor may be selected. You need 124 total credit hours to complete the Urban Studies: Development degree.

Meet one of your professors

Faculty Member Anna Young

Contact

amyoung@northcentral.edu
612.343.4150
Center for Youth & Leadership

Anna Marie Young

Assistant Professor, Youth and Community Development

Young brings more than 30 years of experience in teaching and youth ministry to North Central. A licensed evangelist, Young has served at Teen Challenge, Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, and various women’s shelters throughout the Twin Cities. She is committed to training leaders who serve and empower others in the church and throughout the world.

What are your areas of expertise?

Promotion of positive youth development & leadership, program development and implementation, community organizing, planning and development

What do you love about teaching at North Central?

I love teaching at NCU because, for me, it is the most effective and most enjoyable way to change the world. That is the bottom line: It is critical we change this world, and this is the way I am choosing to do it. Teaching permits me to work on hearts and minds, to guide young adults in becoming empowered, literate, involved, inspired, enlightened Christian human beings who want to link up in this effort to change the world.

I’ve seen it occur. I am seeing students discover their abilities and passions and becoming world-changers. That is why love to teach at NCU.

I also love to teach at NCU because it allows me the honor to work with an excellent team of Christians to ensure not one brilliant student is lost.

What are your favorite classes to teach?

I enjoy teaching all my classes.