Professional Development:
Academic Opportunities

A number of academic institutions offer degree and other programs in youth ministry

Online Courses

The Distance Learning Directory for Lay Ecclesial Ministers - the online portal for Lay Ecclesial Ministry developed by the National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM).

B.A. with a Concentration in Youth Ministry

  1. Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
    BA in interdisciplinary major in youth ministry (select "Theology" under "Courses of Instruction" for information on Youth Ministry program)
  2. Brescia University, Owensboro, KY
    AA and BA degrees in pastoral ministry includes a built in focus on the
    vision, theory, certification standards, and practice of youth ministry.
    Online ministry courses are available.
  3. Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA
    BA in theology with an emphasis in youth ministry
  4. The College of Saint Scholastica, Duluth, MN
    BA in religious studies with a youth ministry concentration
  5. Creighton University, Omaha, NE
    BA in theology and youth ministry
    in collaboration with the youth ministry certificate in the Diocese of Omaha
  6. Dominican University, River Forest, IL
    BA in pastoral ministry with an emphasis on youth ministry
  7. Mount Saint Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, MD
    BA in religious studies with a youth ministry emphasis
  8. Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH
    BA in Campus and Youth Ministry
  9. Providence College School of Continuing Education, Providence, RI
    BA in ministry with a concentration in youth ministry
  10. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
    BA in pastoral and youth ministry
  11. St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI
    BA in religious studies with a youth ministry emphasis
    MA in theological studies (pastoral and youth ministries)
  12. University of St. Mary, Leavenworth, KS | BA in Pastoral Ministry

M.A. with a Concentration in Youth Ministry

  1. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
    MA in pastoral ministry with a concentration in youth and young adult faith
  2. Creighton University, Omaha, NE
    MA in ministry in collaboration with the Diocese of Omaha
  3. Fordham University, Bronx, NY
    MA in religious education with a concentration in youth and young adult ministry (online or traditional)
  4. La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA
    MA in pastoral studies with a youth ministry concentration
  5. Loyola University-Loyola Institute for Ministry, New Orleans, LA
    MA in practical theology with a focus on youth ministry
  6. Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
    MA in religious studies with a certificate program in youth ministry
    in collaboration with the Center for Ministry Development
  7. St. John’s School of Theology, Collegeville, MN
    MA in pastoral theology, youth in theology and ministry program (YTM)
  8. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
    MA in pastoral ministries
  9. University of Dallas, Irving, TX
    MA in pastoral ministry with a focus in youth ministry youth ministry degree nationally. The University of Dallas and Center for Ministry Development have agreed to offer the Youth Ministry degree nationally. Click here to read the press release.

Youth Ministry Certificate

  1. The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
    Certificate in pastoral ministry
  2. The Center for Ministry Development, Gig Harbor, WA
    Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies
    (graduate credit available)
  3. College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ
    Certificate in youth and family ministries
  4. Saint Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, Rochester, NY
    Certificate in youth ministry in collaboration with the Diocese of Rochester
  5. University of St. Mary, Leavensworth, KS
    Certificate in pastoral ministry
  6. St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, FL
    Graduate certificate program in youth ministry
  7. Xavier University of Louisiana-Institute for Black Catholic Studies, New Orleans, LA
    Youth and young adult ministry certificate and enrichment programs

Degrees in Pastoral Ministry/Other

  1. College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH
    BA in religious pastoral ministry
    BA in religious studies
    MA in spiritual and pastoral care, spiritual direction
  2. Christ the King Seminary, Buffalo, NY
    MA in pastoral Ministry with a Youth Ministry concentration
  3. Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
    MA and certificate in pastoral ministry
    MA in religious studies
  4. Edgewood College, Madison, WI
    BA in religious studies with a Christian ministry concentration
  5. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH
    BA in theology with a concentration in religious education
    MA in theology/Christian ministry
  6. The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome, Italy
    Individually created and ready-planned courses to promote the lay vocation.
  7. University of Mary College, Bismarck, ND
    BA in pastoral ministry
  8. St. Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, ME
    MA in pastoral studies
  9. St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI
    MA in theological studies with a concentration in pastoral and youth ministry
  10. Seattle University, Seattle, WA
    Various programs, including a post-master’s certificate in religious education
  11. Seton Hall, South Orange, NJ
    BA in Catholic studies
  12. Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, WI
    BA in theology and ministry minor with a pastoral ministry concentration
  13. Washington Theological Union, Washington, DC
    MA in theological studies
    MA in pastoral studies
  14. St. Thomas University, Miami, FL
    MA in pastoral ministries
    BA (and minor) in religious studies
  15. University of St. Mary, Leavenworth, KS
    BA in pastoral ministry