Distance Degrees in Family Ministry, Youth Ministry, Student Ministry, Children's Ministry, College Ministry, & Related Majors

Helping families grow in faith, guiding students through the challenges of adolescence, and shaping the next generation of disciples are some of the most rewarding—and complex—callings in ministry. Whether your passion lies in family ministry, children’s ministry, student ministry, or college ministry, effective leadership requires biblical depth, spiritual maturity, and a strong understanding of people and culture.

Thankfully, earning a degree to prepare for or advance in these areas has never been more accessible. Many Christian universities and seminaries now offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through distance-learning formats—allowing you to study from home while continuing to serve in your local church or community.

These programs focus on helping ministry leaders:

• Build a biblical and theological foundation for family and next-generation discipleship.

• Develop leadership and communication skills tailored to children, teens, and young adults.

• Understand family systems, developmental stages, and cultural trends affecting today’s youth.

• Design and lead ministries that reach across generations and transform lives.

In recent years, the demand for flexible ministry training has grown dramatically. Christian colleges and seminaries have responded by offering robust distance-education options that combine academic excellence with hands-on ministry relevance. Whether you’re pursuing a Bachelor’s in Family Ministry, a Master of Arts in Student Ministry, or a Doctor of Ministry in Next Generation Leadership, there are fully accredited programs designed to fit your calling and your schedule.

Below is a list of schools offering accredited degrees in family, student, children’s, and college ministry that can be earned via distance learning (online, live synchronous study, etc.). Each degree program is fully accredited.

***This list will be updated regularly—check back often to explore new programs and opportunities.

Sections Below

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Doctoral Degrees - Professional & Research

Abbreviations- Degrees

BA: Bachelor of Arts

BS: Bachelor of Science

BRE: Bachelor of Religious Education

BMin: Bachelor of Ministry

BAAS: Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences BCE: Bachelor of Christian Education

MDiv: Master of Divinity

MA: Master of Arts

MAT: Master of Applied Theology

DMin: Doctor of Ministry

DPT: Doctor of Practical Theology

EdD: Doctor of Education

DEdMin: Doctor of Educational Ministry

PhD: Doctor of Philosophy

Bachelor's Degrees

Baptist University of Florida

BA in Ministry Studies: Student Ministry

Calvary Chapel University

BA in Biblical Studies: Youth Ministry

Concordia University- Irvine

BA in Christian Education Leadership

Cornerstone College & Seminary

BBS in Ministry Leadership: Youth Ministry

Dallas Christian College

BS in Practical Ministries: Youth & Family Ministry

Davis College

BRE in Youth Ministries

Ecclesia College

BCE - Bachelor of Christian Education

Epic Bible College & Graduate School

BA in Ministerial Studies: Student Ministry

Faith International University

BA in Religion (Children’s Ministry, Christian Education, or Youth Ministry), Leadership (Children’s Ministry, Christian Education, or Youth Ministry), or Education (Children’s Ministry, Christian Education, or Youth Ministry)

Faulkner University 

BA in Biblical Studies: Youth & Family Ministry

Grand Canyon University

BA in Christian Studies: Youth Ministry

Johnson University 

BS in Ministry Leadership: Children & Family Ministry, Preaching & Student Ministry, or Student & Family Ministry

Houston Christian University

BA in Psychology: Marriage & Family Studies

Kansas Christian College

BA in Leadership & Ministry: Youth Ministry

The King’s University

BA in Ministry Leadership: Next Generation Ministry

Lee University

BS or BA in Ministry Leadership: Children’s Ministry or Youth Ministry

Liberty University 

BS in Religion: Next Generation Ministries

Moody Bible Institute

BS in Ministry Leadership: Children & Family Ministry

Nelson University

BA in Church Leadership: Youth Ministry or Child & Family Studies

BAAS — Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences in Youth Ministry

North Central University 

BS in Youth, Children, & Family

Northpoint Bible College

BA in Children & Family Ministry or Student Ministry

Oral Roberts University 

BA in Ministry & Leadership: Youth & Family Ministries

Point University

BS in Youth & Family Ministries

Southeastern University

BS in Ministry Leadership: Family Ministries

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

BA in Ministry & Leadership: Family Ministries

Toccoa Falls College

BS in Youth Ministry

Truett McConnell University

BA in Christian Studies: Student Ministry

Valor Christian College

BA in Christian Ministry: Children’s Ministry or Youth Ministry

Veritas Baptist College

BMin in Youth Ministries

William Jessup University

BS in Leadership: Youth Ministry

Master's Degrees

Anderson University (IN)

MA in Christian Ministry: Student Ministry

Andrews University

MA in Youth & Young Adult Ministry or Discipleship & Lifespan Education (concentrations in Children’s Ministry, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Family Life Education, or Religious Education)

Asbury Theological Seminary

MDiv in Youth Ministry 

MA in Ministry: Children & Family Ministry or Youth & Family Ministry

Barclay College

MA in Family Ministries

Bethel University (Bethel Seminary)

MA in Children’s, Youth, & Family Ministry

Campbell University (Campbell Divinity School)

MDiv in Christian Education

Concordia University- Irvine

MA in Theology & Christian Education Leadership

Dallas Baptist University

MA in Children’s Ministry, Christian Ministry (Children's Ministry or Family Ministry), Education Ministry Leadership (Collegiate Ministry or Student Ministry), or Family Ministry

Dual Degree Programs:

MA in Children’s Ministry + MA in Global Leadership

MA in Children’s Ministry + MA in Christian Counseling

MA in Children’s Ministry + MA in Christian Ministry

MA in Children’s Ministry + MLA (Master of Liberal Arts)

MA in Children’s Ministry + MA in Theological Studies

Dallas Theological Seminary

MA in Christian Education: Children’s Ministry, Marriage & Family Ministry, or Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Eastern Mennonite Seminary

MA in Christian Leadership: Children & Youth

East Texas Baptist University (BH Carroll Theological Seminary)

MA in Christian Ministry: Children’s Ministry or Youth Ministry

Faith International University

MDiv in Education or Youth Ministry

Faulkner University 

MA in Christian Counseling & Family Ministry

Fuller Theological Seminary

MDiv in Youth, Family, & Culture

MA in Global Missional Leadership: Children at Risk or Theology & Ministry: Youth, Family, & Culture

ThM in Intercultural Studies: Children at Risk

Gateway Seminary

MDiv in Collegiate Ministry or Youth Ministry

MA in Educational Leadership: Children’s Ministry, Family Ministry, or Youth Ministry

Grand Canyon University

MA in Family & Youth Ministry

Harding University

MA in Christian Ministry: Campus Ministry or Youth Ministry

Hope International University (Pacific Christian Seminary)

MDiv in Children, Youth & Family Ministry

MA in Children, Youth & Family Ministry

Howard Payne University

MA in Youth & Family Ministry

Indiana Wesleyan University 

MDiv in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry

MA in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry

Kentucky Christian University 

MA in Christian Leadership: Family Ministry

Lee University

MA in Ministry Studies: Youth & Family Studies or Marriage & Family Studies

Liberty University 

MDiv in Family & Youth Ministry

MA in Educational Ministries, Next Generation Ministry, and Pastoral Counseling: Marriage & Family

Luther Seminary

MA in Children, Youth, & Family

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Student Ministry

MAT — Master of Applied Theology in Student Ministry

Nelson University

MA in Children & Family

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Collegiate Ministry

Northwest Nazarene University

MDiv in Youth, Children, & Family Ministry

MA in Youth, Children, & Family Ministry

Regent University (Regent Divinity School)

MA in Human Services - Marriage/Family Ministry

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv in Student Ministry

MA in Student Ministry

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

MDiv in Children’s Ministry, Collegiate Ministry, Family Ministry, or Student Ministry

MA in Christian Education in Children’s Ministry, Collegiate Ministry, Family Ministry, or Student Ministry

St. Padarn's Institute, The University of Wales- Trinity Saint David 

MA in Theology, Ministry & Mission: Children, Young People, & Families Specialists

Tyndale University (Tyndale Seminary)

MDiv in Youth & Family Ministry

MA in Children, Youth, & Adult Discipleship

Western Seminary

MDiv in Family Ministry or Youth Ministry

Wheaton College

MA in Higher Education & Student Development

Doctoral Degrees - Professional & Research

Andrews University

PhD in Discipleship & Lifespan Education

DMin in Family Ministry

Bethel University (Bethel Seminary)

DMin in Congregational & Family Care

Cliff College, University of Manchester (UK)

PhD in Youth, Children, Families & Ministry

Dallas Theological Seminary

DMin in Marriage & Family Ministry

DEdMin in Marriage & Family Ministry or Next Generation Ministry

East Texas Baptist University (BH Carroll Theological Seminary)

PhD in Ministry & Formation: Christian Education

Fuller Theological Seminary

PhD in Intercultural Studies: Children at Risk

DMin in Youth, Family, & Culture

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

DMin in Ministry to Emerging Generations

Liberty University 

DMin in Next Generation Ministry

EdD in Christian Leadership & Next Generation Ministry

PhD in Christian Leadership & Next Generation Ministry

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Next Generation Ministries

DEdMin in Next Generation Ministries

Northern Greenville University

EdD in Educational Ministry Leadership

Northwest Nazarene University

ThD in Theology of the Church

***This doctoral program is also offered in Spanish

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

Regent University 

PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies - Marriage & Family Ministry

South College

DMin in Youth & Family Ministry

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Great Commission Student Ministry, Next Generation Ministry, or Student Ministry

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Family Ministry

DEdMin in Discipleship & Family Ministry

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

PhD in Family & Generational Studies or Teaching & Learning

DMin in Family Ministry

Trinity Western University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

PhD in Educational Ministry Studies