Biblical and Religious Studies
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Youth Ministries Major in Pennsylvania
Are you passionate about youth ministry and adolescent development in church settings? A bachelor's degree in youth ministries at Messiah University, one of the top Christian universities in the U.S., may be the right fit for you!
Study Youth Ministries at a Christian University
In the youth ministries major at Messiah University, you will take courses in theology, Biblical studies, teaching for Christian ministry, spirituality and more. As you grow throughout this program, you’ll have the opportunity to complete practical ministry experiences and develop competencies in both writing and teaching in ministry. You will develop a strong theological and biblical foundation for lasting, effective youth ministry in both congregational and parachurch settings. Youth ministries is also offered as a minor.
As a youth ministries major or minor at Messiah, you’ll be able to:
- Dive deeply into foundational Bible and theology courses.
- Learn the rich complexities of youth ministry from faculty with decades of ministry experience.
- Wrestle with big questions in a supportive and nurturing environment.
- Grow alongside a diverse groups of peers.
- Put your classroom knowledge to the test through a practicum/internship with one of our many partners, including Young Life, Salt n Light or a local congregation.
- Immerse yourself in biblical Greek or biblical Hebrew.
- Learn about Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and world Christianity.
- Pick up a minor in music and worship, business administration, psychology or Spanish.
- Study with professors who publish books and scholarly articles, conduct ongoing research, are nationally recognized as experts in their fields, and lead cross-cultural trips abroad.
- Build professional competencies in writing, teaching and organizational leadership.
- Gain practical ministry experience.
- Participate in Messiah’s unique “Fitness for Ministry” program that prepares you for a position in ministry right out of college. It includes mentorship, spiritual reflection, portfolio development and church involvement.
As a graduate of the youth ministries program, you’ll be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Youth pastor
- Urban youth minister
- Christian educator
- Counselor
- Sports minister
- Church administrator
- Missionary
- Humanitarian services worker
For more information on career planning for the youth ministries program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of Christian ministries internships. A few examples include:
- Bethesda Mission
- Camp Hebron
- Camp Hill United Methodist Church
- Christian Life Assembly
- First Church of the Brethren
- Grantham Brethren in Christ Church
- Kenbrook Bible Camp
- Mennonite Central Committee
- New Hope Ministries
- Salt and Light Youth Ministries
- West Shore Evangelical Free Church
- Young Life
Programs related to Youth Ministries
In the Youth Ministries program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Youth Ministries :
Youth Ministries (B.A.)
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Meet Alumni from the Department of Biblical, Religious and Philosophical Studies
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.