Bachelor of Science in Youth, Children, and Family Studies
Reach people with age-appropriate ministry practices with an online or on-campus degree program.
Request Information
Complete the form, and a member of our admissions team will contact you to tell you more about your program of interest.
Effective Training for Multigenerational Ministry
Learn to plan and implement a youth-centered curriculum in the Bachelor of Science in Youth, Children, and Family Studies at North Central University. Gain hands-on practice developing vibrant, Christ-centered youth, children, and family ministries in a variety of settings, including church, private schools, and community organizations. Our faculty mentors are dedicated to developing, leading, training, and raising up leaders with a heart to make a difference in the lives of the youth around them.
You may enroll in an on-campus or online B.S. in Youth, Children, and Family Studies. Online programs at NCU reflect our commitment to a multicultural and caring Christ-centered community even away from campus. Connect with peers and participate in virtual live chapel. Online students can expect meaningful communications with faculty, collaborative classes, and rigorous coursework, as well as online tutoring and academic success coaching.
- On Campus or Online: Complete this 124-credit program on campus or online as part of our Christian community.
- Affordable Tuition: Explore generous financial aid options available to all residential traditional undergraduate students.
- Christ-Centered Curriculum: Define and refine your faith at NCU, where classes and student life are rooted in Scripture and nurtured in community.
I love being a Children, Youth, and Family Studies major because the program gives you the practical skills, spiritual development, and Biblical literacy needed to be an effective ministry leader.”
Emma, ’23
Why Study Youth, Children, and Family Studies at NCU?
NCU’s youth and children’s ministry program will prepare you to be a mentor, leader, and servant for people ages from birth through high school and young adulthood as you guide them in their walk with Christ. The curriculum combines courses in Christian ministry and history with contemporary studies in sociology and psychology across generations.
Throughout this program, you will be immersed in personal spiritual formation, growing in your faith and building a supportive network that you can connect with post-graduation. Choose between a family ministry and a youth ministry track to further focus your studies in this program. You’ll graduate with a deeper understanding of children, youth, and family dynamics and how they can support and influence spiritual development at home and in community.
View the Academic Catalog for a full list of admission requirements and course listings.
Program Highlights
Gain Real-World Experience
Study Abroad in the Holy Lands
Build Lasting Relationships
Gain Real-World Experience
Students will have the opportunity within their internships with local churches to create an environment where they grow spiritually, academically, and personally.
Study Abroad in the Holy Lands
Experience a trip to the Holy Lands where students can visit ancient sites in Israel and Jordan. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of biblical contexts and geography.
Build Lasting Relationships
NCU students have opportunities to get connected within their local communities and practice relationships and discipleship with their peers – on campus, in local churches, and online.
Concentration Tracks
Youth Ministry Track
The youth ministry track prepares you to step into the role of youth pastor through courses that emphasize various aspects of youth and young adult ministry, such as developmental psychology. This track is offered only to residential (on-campus) students.
Family Ministry Track
The family ministry track allows you to build your own elective track among all the course offerings that focus on ministry to families, youth, and/or children. Note: This track has been designated for online students.
Career Outcomes
A degree focused on youth, children, and family ministry prepares students to work in their local church, as well as for ministry and leadership roles in cause-driven organizations, Christian education, healthcare, and non-religious family service roles.1 Transferable skills include mentoring, multigenerational communication, analyzing and understanding sociological texts and concepts, and youth counseling.
Our graduates succeed in a variety of jobs and careers. Here are some possibilities:
- Youth pastor
- Junior and senior high ministry
- College ministry
- Program director for at-risk youth
- Social service specialist
- Urban youth ministry
- International student ministry
- Youth camp director
Where Our Alumni Work and Intern*
- River Valley
- West Wood Church
- Cedar Valley
- Grace Church
- Eagle Brook
- Many more church communities!
*This includes alumni internships of multiple programs offered by the College of Church Leadership.
Learn From Industry Experts
Seasoned, credentialed faculty share their expansive youth, children, and family ministry experience and a commitment to support students as you pursue your calling.
Explore Related Programs
Not sure how your calling translates into a degree? These programs may interest you:
B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies
B.S. in Church Leadership
B.A. in Pastoral Studies
FAQs
Can a youth and family ministry degree prepare me to be a youth pastor?
Yes, this program is designed to prepare students for their callings in youth or children’s ministry, as well as for a variety of related callings and career paths. The program includes core classes in church ministries, a study abroad option to the holy lands, and other training.
Will I still get real-life experience through an online children’s ministry program?
Yes! The Bachelor of Science in Youth, Children, and Family Studies at NCU is offered online or on our downtown Minneapolis campus. Both options include a church leadership internship with a local church community; NCU can help you find prospective internships. While you may be able to serve part of your internship remotely, the goal is to become part of the community as you learn how to work with young people and their families in ministry.
Can I take some of the courses online and some in person?
The B.S. in youth, children, and family studies is offered in two formats, online and on campus. Students enrolled in the residential (on-campus) program may take some of their classes online. Students enrolled in the online program must take all of their courses online and do not have the option of completing part of their program on campus. This helps simplify the tuition rate, financial aid, and housing planning. We recommend discussing the options with an admissions counselor to help you determine whether the on-campus or online business administration degree is the best fit for you.
Citations
Sources: 1Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clergy, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes212011.htm (viewed Nov. 13, 2025).