Why do youth and emerging adult studies at Northwestern?

You have the opportunity to spread the Gospel to the next generation of young people and prepare them to make an impact in their local churches and communities. You can choose a concentration in youth and emerging adult ministry, social justice, nonprofit leadership, worship and creative arts, or camp and conference center administration. The concentration track in this major is also flexibly designed for students hoping to double major. You’ll be equipped for a career in youth ministry or nonprofit youth work when you graduate because you’ll have spent 200 hours ministering during required internships.

You can also train as a ministry leader at the Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center. Since its founding in 1958, Forest Springs has been committed to developing Christian leaders. The camp's LTD (Leadership, Training, and Development) program is one tool that God has been using to equip leaders for ministry around the world.

If you feel called to work with young adults in local church ministry or through a community organization, this might be the right degree for you.

What degree concentrations are offered at Northwestern?

Students in this major are allowed to choose from the following concentrations or work with their advisor to design their own concentration.

• Camp and Conference Center Administration
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Social Justice
• Worship and Creative Arts
  
• Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry

What will you learn?

You will learn to communicate effectively, counsel youth, and minister to them in various situations.

Some classes include:

• Everyday Lives of Adolescents and Youth
• Spiritual Lives of Adolescents and Youth
• Relationships
• Human Sexuality
• Care and Counseling in Ministry

Accelerated M.A. in Ministry Leadership

Students may apply through the Ministry department to combine an undergraduate degree in Youth and Emerging Adult Studies with an accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership. Youth and Emerging Adult Studies majors complete up to 16 credits of the M.A. degree during their undergraduate program and the remaining 20 credits during a fifth year of study. The fifth year can be completed on site or through online learning. This pathway saves students time and tuition expense as they add a graduate degree to their portfolio.

Considering a double major?

The Bachelor of Science in Youth and Emerging Adult Studies works well as a double major with a B.S. in Music with an emphasis in Music Ministry. See the Chair of the Department of Christian Ministries for details and advising.