Child and Family Ministry Major (B.S.)

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The mission of this major is to equip men and women to lead child and family ministries. The major focuses specifically on parent education and implementing strategies for programming and caring for children.

Program Requirements

Christian Studies Core

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 30 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Electives 4-6 Credits²
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 5-7 Credits^1,2*

Major Core

III. Child and Family Ministry Major - 65 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits *
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 140 - Foundations of Discipleship Ministries 3 Credits
CHM 335 - Internship Orientation 1 Credits
CHM 336 - Internship Practicum 0 Credits
CHM 420 - Philosophy of Ministry 3 Credits
CHM 436 - Christian Ministry Internship 12 Credits
CHM 451 - Senior Seminar 1 Credits
DSC 235 - Children and Family Ministry 3 Credits
DSC 241 - Faith Development of Children 3 Credits
DSC 333X - Family Ministry 3 Credits *
DSC 336 - Dynamics of Small Groups 3 Credits
or
DSC 356 - Mentoring 3 Credits
DSC 351 - Teaching and Learning Theory 3 Credits
or
PRC 332 - Expository Preaching 3 Credits *
DSC 357 - Curriculum Design for Discipleship 3 Credits
DSC - Discipleship Elective 3 Credits
ECE - Early Childhood Elective 3 Credits
ICS 347 - Engaging Cultures in a Post-Postmodern World 3 Credits
PST 342 - Principles of Ministry Leadership 3 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits *
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits *
THE 349 - Alliance Ministries 3 Credits

IV. Electives - 6 Credits *

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level.

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached.

Total - 125 Credits

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

Students have the option to declare a second major in Christian Studies which is earned by completing the Christian Studies Core plus six credits of upper level Bible/Theology electives (which are part of the major core).

Recommended BIB/THE electives:

THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
THE 333X - Christian Ethics 3 Credits
THE 334X - Apologetics 3 Credits

Recommended Social Science electives:

PSY 236 - Developmental Psychology 3 Credits
PSY 450X - Counseling for Church Leaders 3 Credits

Four-Year Suggested Program for the Child and Family Ministry Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
CHM 140 - Foundations of Discipleship Ministries 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
Elective 1 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits (fulfills Social Science elective)
Elective 3 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits (fulfills BIB/THE elective)
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
DSC 235 - Children and Family Ministry 3 Credits (even)
or
DSC 241 - Faith Development of Children 3 Credits (odd)
DSC 333X - Family Ministry 3 Credits
DSC 336 - Dynamics of Small Groups 3 Credits
or
DSC 356 - Mentoring 3 Credits
Elective 1 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
ECE Elective 3 Credits
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Elective 3 Credits ^1,2*
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, GPA of 2.5 for courses in major, and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Child and Family Ministry major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

DSC 235 - Children and Family Ministry 3 Credits (even)
or
DSC 241 - Faith Development of Children 3 Credits (odd)
DSC 351 - Teaching and Learning Theory 3 Credits
or
PRC 332 - Expository Preaching 3 Credits
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Elective 3 Credits ^1,2*
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits (fulfills BIB/THE elective)

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 335 - Internship Orientation 1 Credits
DSC 357 - Curriculum Design for Discipleship 3 Credits
ICS 347 - Engaging Cultures in a Post-Postmodern World 3 Credits
THE 349 - Alliance Ministries 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Summer Semester - 0 Credits

CHM 336 - Internship Practicum 0 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

CHM 436 - Christian Ministry Internship 12 Credits
PST 342 - Principles of Ministry Leadership 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
CHM 420 - Philosophy of Ministry 3 Credits
CHM 451 - Senior Seminar 1 Credits
DSC - Discipleship Elective 3 Credits
Elective 6 Credits