This is a ranking of the best online bachelor’s degrees in Youth Ministry from colleges in the United States.
If working with youths, developing their spiritual maturity and formation, teaching and instilling Christian truths and virtues into the next generations, then a degree in Youth Ministry may be a good option.
According to Indeed.com, Youth Minister positions usually require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as theology or ministry.
The average salary depends on the state in which you want to work, but generally youth ministers earn from $38,000 – $68,000 on average per year.
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Youth Ministry
1. Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University is non-profit, private, and one of the largest online universities in the world in terms of their numbers of online students, and how many degree programs they offer online.
Liberty offers the online Bachelor of Science in Applied Ministry.
This online program teaches students how to be a leader that can meet the challenges of ministering to the youth.
The program requires that students choose two areas of interest, with an option to choose a third area.
The first area of study requires 9 hours, and students can choose from these subjects to fulfill the requirement:
- NextGen
- Biblical and theological studies
- Apologetics
- Christian ministries
- Evangelism
- Christian leadership
- Global studies
Students are taught relevant ministry skills, which include learning leadership principles to shepherd their local church, how to create a safe environment in their ministries, and developing a strategy for spiritual formation of families.
Courses are 8 weeks long.
Liberty University accepts up to 75% of the degree total in transfer credits.
Liberty has the same tuition since 2015.
2. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.
This program is taken through the College of Theology. Students learn theology, history doctrine, and biblical truths.
Online classes are seven weeks.
Credits: 120
From the biblical foundations mentioned above, online students are taught Youth Ministry vocational skills. These include courses such as:
- Adolescent Development and Faith Formation,
- Ministerial Communication
- Leadership and Administration in Youth Ministry
- Christian Character Formation
From this online program, students are taught Youth Ministry skills in these areas:
- Youth ministry foundations, including education, bible, theology, and philosophy foundations
- Adolescence as a life stage, emphasizing spiritual integration and the formation of faith
- Programming, budgeting, and leadership development of youth ministry principles and duties and how to evaluate them
- Students are also taught the prevalent issues of youth.
- For troubled youth, students are also taught “Pastoral first aid” and how to refer the youths to get the appropriate help
3. Southeastern University, Lakeland Florida
Barnett College of Ministry & Theology
Southeastern University is a private Christian university. This university offers an online Bachelor of Science in Ministerial Leadership, with the following track options:
Credits: 120
- Christian Ministry
- Biblical Studies
- Pastoral Care & Counseling
- Humanitarian Ministry
- Family Ministries
Each track is 18 hours.
There are two ministry practicum courses that are required, where students actually work in a church that’s local to them, where they apply what they’ve learned.
This online program prepares graduates to work in different vocational roles within churches, including Youth Ministry.
Our ranking is determined by the influence that these schools have in published articles and professional papers in Ministry.
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