Bethel Seminary M.A. in Children's and Family Ministry

Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry Program

Master of Arts

With a Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry degree, you’ll gain a practical toolbox of skills that equips you to minister effectively to children, youth, and families.

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At a glance

Delivery

Online

Finish in as few as

2 years

Estimated tuition

$19,440

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Transformation starts here. In Bethel Seminary’s M.A. in Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry Program program, you’ll develop the head, heart, and hands to serve children, youth, and families in a variety of church and community contexts, including leadership roles.

Program details

This program will allow you to better serve children, youth, and families in your church and community. You’ll gain practical knowledge you can immediately apply to your ministry while making connections with other ministry leaders that will last a lifetime.

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Meet Your Counselor

Todd Erickson

At Bethel, we're committed to helping you get the most out of your education. Your enrollment counselor is here to help you balance your program with your personal life and career goals.

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Program highlights

A pioneer in children’s and family ministry


You’ll be part of Bethel Seminary’s longstanding, well-regarded program. Ours was the first accredited distance-learning degree program for children’s, youth, and family ministry—and that was more than 20 years ago!

Peer support


You’ll develop lifelong connections with a cohort of peers who share your passion to serve children, youth, and families. When you graduate, you’ll become part of our supportive network of alumni who will journey with you throughout your career.

Practical application


Your fliexble, online coursework will focus on application to your current ministry context, so you can immediately apply what you’re learning.

Intercultural and multi-denominational


You’ll move through the program with a variety of online students. Our graduates come from more than 25 denominations, 35 states, and 10 international ministry contexts.

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Transformation starts here.

Certificate in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

At Bethel Seminary, you’ll experience personal and spiritual transformation that will equip you to transform others—for eternal impact. Our M.A. in Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministry program develops your head, heart, and hands with a foundation of biblical and theological knowledge, an emphasis on spiritual and personal formation, and practical tools for your real-life ministry context.

91%

of students say faculty care about them as an individual

20%

department students double major

Bethel Seminary was a life changing experience, and it provided a safe and challenging community environment. Bethel affirmed my strengths, helped to identify my weaknesses, and enhanced my effectiveness as a teacher, leader, and a follower of Christ.

Bethel Seminary was a life changing experience, and it provided a safe and challenging community environment. Bethel affirmed my strengths, helped to identify my weaknesses, and enhanced my effectiveness as a teacher, leader, and a follower of Christ.

Lorraine Carroll '14
Current job: Director of iAm Children's Ministries community program

Career Outcomes

Wondering what you can do with a Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry degree?

Our online master's degree in children's, youth, and family ministry program will prepare you to invest in the future of the church by serving the church of today—its children!

Skills

Learn how to:

  • Cultivate a philosophy of ministry to children and families so you can meet real needs with biblical solutions
  • Be a successful member of any ministry team through developing your leadership skills
  • Lead children’s and family ministry in your church, your community, and the global arena by gaining intercultural competence
  • Take practical courses with concepts and strategies you can apply to your current ministry experience

Careers

Our graduates are prepared for a number of roles, including:

  • Children’s pastor
  • Family pastor
  • Youth pastor or youth minister
  • Urban ministries with children, youth, and families
  • International children’s, youth, and family ministry
  • Leadership roles in nonprofits serving children, youth, and families
Kresge Courtyard

Start your journey

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You're called to accomplish incredible things. Take the next step in your career and fill out our simple, straightforward application today.

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