Youth and Family Ministry (BS) + MDiv Dual-Level Program
Gain the biblical knowledge and ministry philosophy of a youth and family ministry degree alongside a Master of Divinity in as few as five years.
Why Youth and Family Ministry (BS) + MDiv?
A Youth and Family Ministry degree gives you a deep knowledge of the Bible and church leadership with a particular focus on ministry to young people and their families. Additionally, a Master of Divinity prepares you for broader church ministry through a study of theology and the Scriptures—usually in the original languages. In this program, you will be prepared as a well-educated and effective ministry leader with children, youth, families, or the whole church.
How it Works
Cairn University’s Youth and Family Ministry (BS) + MDiv dual-level program allows you to condense what would be eight years of study (four-year bachelor’s + four-year master’s) into just five years by starting master-level courses as early as your sophomore year. You’ll be able to complete all requirements for both degrees in as few as five years without taking summer courses.
You will also continue to receive your undergraduate scholarships and tuition aid for all five years of study, which will save you thousands of dollars.
Youth and Family Ministry (BS) + MDiv at Cairn
Academic Opportunity
Study the Bible cover to cover, taking courses that range from surveys of the Old Testament to exegetical studies of Revelation.
Career Preparation
Develop the skills of pastoral ministry.
Personalized Education
Engage with practical, up-to-date strategies of youth ministry.
Experienced Faculty
Be mentored by professors who have successful, global experience in business.
In-Deepth Learning
Learn how to properly exegete and translate the Scriptures through an in-depth study of Greek and Hebrew (four semesters of each language). Deeply explore each branch of systematic theology and the history of theology.
Hands-On Education
Receive hands-on training through ministry involvement and interaction with a ministry mentor.
Ministry Opportunity
Understand youth ministry from a global perspective and take opportunities to experience various missional contexts.
more Details
Get an inside look at our Youth and Family Ministry + MDiv Program
There are over 70 unique programs at Cairn to choose from! Not sure if this is the best program for you? Here are some more details to help you decide.
Required Credits: 150
Curriculum Highlights:
- YTH 322 Comp Tech for Youth/Fam Min
- YTH 222 Effective Bible Teaching
- BIB 441 The Corinthian Epistles
- BIB 472 Exegesis/Theol of Romans
- BIB 442 The Pastoral Epistles
Senior Pastor
Associate/Assistant Pastor
Camp Director
Bible Teacher
Chaplain
Missionary
Professor (with further study)
Connect With Us
An Affordable Education
While the cost of a Cairn University education is competitive with similar institutions, we realize you may need financial assistance to take this journey. You are not alone. 97% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
Meet Our Faculty
Matt McAlack
Director, Youth and Family Ministry; Professor, School of Divinity
Dr. Matt McAlack teaches Bible, theology, psychology, and youth and family ministry.
Since 1996, Dr. McAlack has also directed JAM (Junior High Adventures in Ministry), a ministry and evangelism training event for middle schoolers at Cairn University.
In addition to serving at Cairn, Dr. McAlack has also served as a youth pastor and pastor of English ministry, as well as a speaker at conferences and retreats. Currently, he and his wife Michele lead the Youth Ministry and Outreach at Calvary Baptist Church in Bristol Pennsylvania.
Kevin McFadden
Professor of New Testament, School of Divinity
Kevin McFadden teaches New Testament courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Before coming to Cairn he studied New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary and taught for three years in the Christian Studies department at Louisiana College. He is originally from Michigan.
One of his most formative experiences was a mission trip through Inter-City Baptist Church to Tanzania where he saw the sufficiency of Scripture in action as God used his word to build up his people. Another was a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church where he understood more clearly that the gospel teaches us that people are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by what we do.
His main role at Cairn is teaching students how to read Greek in order to better understand and interpret the New Testament. His thoughts about the importance of learning the original languages of the Bible can be read here. He is currently working on a book about faith in Pauline theology. He and his wife, Colleen, are members at Trinity Community Church in Abington, PA.
What Our Students Have To Say
Caleb Esteban De Jesus
I can confidently say that the Youth and Family Ministries program at Cairn has prepared me well for discipling young people effectively. I am grateful for the quality professors I have and the great friends I made during my time here. This program challenges me, equips me, and pushes me out of my comfort zone in the best ways!
