The Youth Ministry Concentration is available to students in the Certificate and MTS programs. The four courses specific to the Youth Ministry Concentration are listed in green below, with asterisks (*). All other courses are in common with the General Track curriculum:
Courses Required for Youth Ministry Concentration
Unit I:
- Fundamentals I: An Introduction to Orthodoxy
- Church History I: The Christian Church from Its Foundation through the Seventh Century
- Liturgical Theology I: Introduction to Liturgical Theology, Baptism and Eucharist
Unit II:
- Church History II: The Orthodox Church from the Seventh Century to 1453
- Scripture I: Old Testament
- Practical Aspects of Youth Ministry: Fundamentals of Youth Ministry*
- Project I
Unit III:
- Holy Scripture II: The New Testament
- Patristics I: The Fathers of the Church During the First Five Hundred Years
- Practical Aspects of Youth Ministry: Relational Ministry and Spiritual Development in Youth*
Unit IV:
- Doctrine I: The Doctrine of Knowledge In the Tradition of the Church
- Pastoral Theology I
- Project II
Unit V:
- Doctrine II: The Orthodox Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
- Practical Aspects of Youth Ministry Designing and Building a Parish Youth Ministry*
- Practical Aspects of Youth Ministry: Moral and Ethical Issues Confronting Orthodox Youth*
Unit VI (Master’s students only):
- Master’s Thesis
*courses specific to the Youth Ministry Concentration
Directed-Project Courses
The directed-project courses of the Youth Ministry Concentration are offered in the spring semester of each year (Units II and IV) and will generally address a particular need in the area of Youth Ministry. They will include a proposal submitted for approval to the Chair of the Department of Youth Ministry and the Projects Director; the directed Project itself; and a Project paper with supporting detail.
Examples of Youth Ministry Praxes are:
- Extended Teen Ministry Outreach project, including preparing teens, implementing the project, and debriefing teens
- Designing, building and training a Parish Youth Ministry Team
- Developing and implementing a Teen Weekend Retreat
- Developing and teaching a semester course in Moral and Ethical Issues Confronting Orthodox Youth to teens
- Designing, implementing and evaluating a Youth Group Calendar of Events
- Teaching teens Orthodox Liturgical Music, performed and usable in an Orthodox setting
- Developing a web-based Youth Ministry Program
- Developing a CD-based Youth Ministry Teaching Tool for teens
- Developing and implementing a Teen Bible Study Program
Residency
An intensive week-long Residency takes place in late August or early September at the start of the first two academic years, and is held at the Antiochian VIllage Conference & Retreat Center in western Pennsylvania.
Program Completion
Students who successfully complete the required coursework, and who hold a Bachelor’s degree, may choose to pursue a Master’s thesis, leading to the degree of Master of Theological Studies. Students who do not wish to pursue the Master’s degree will receive the St. Stephen’s Certificate in Orthodox Theology.
Master’s Thesis
Master’s students who successfully complete the required coursework, and who satisfy the other prerequisites, may enter the final phase of their program which includes research and thesis composition focusing on a practical application of Orthodox Theology. Master’s students will also be enrolled in a thesis-preparatory course titled “Master’s Thesis: Sources and Methods” which covers:
- Presentation of a Thesis Proposal (abstract)
- Thesis research and preparation
- Thesis approval process and deadlines
- Completion and defense of the Master’s Thesis
For more information, please review the Application Process or Apply Now.
