Graduate Resident
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Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry
The Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry is unique to the Center for Youth Ministry Training. The residency program creates a whole-person learning environment by nurturing residents academically in the classroom, vocationally in the local church and through personal coaching, as well as emotionally and socially through peer interaction in a cohort of fellow graduate residents.
Graduate residents in the program gain experience in a 3-year supervised practicum as a youth director in a local church while earning a Master of Arts in Religion with a youth ministry emphasis through our partnership with Memphis Theological Seminary. Acceptance to the residency program is competitive and is limited to a cohort of 12 graduate residents per year.
The CYMT graduate residency in Youth Ministry includes:
- All-inclusive scholarship covering tuition, books, and housing
- 48 credit hour degree earned over the 3-year program
- Serving as a youth director in a local church
- $1,000 per month stipend
About Graduatate Residency Positions
CYMT partners with churches from different denominations in Nashville and Memphis regions including North Alabama, North Mississippi, Eastern Arkansas, Southern Kentucky, and Middle and West Tennessee.
Graduate residents are matched up with partner churches following acceptance to the CYMT. Several factors determine which partner church is a good match for each graduate resident, including denominational background, theology, personality, and experience. Graduate Residents do not choose the partner church, but they do have the opportunity to participate in an informal interview with the church to make sure it is a good fit prior to starting the CYMT program. Partner churches apply to the CYMT program as well. We are looking for churches that have a heart for youth ministry. We expect our partner churches to meet certain expectations as well as agree to be a part of the CYMT coaching process.
How does the Graduate Residency work?
Our residents live, work, and study in driving distance of our headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, or Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. Housing is provided by the local churches residents serve. The residency is comprised of four components designed to help you achieve academic success while gaining valuable ministry experience:
Cohort
Residents are a part of a group of 12 peers. Together, you will learn about youth ministry and theology. You will experience community and create relationships that encourage you and become those where "iron sharpens iron." A new cohort forms each year and joins with two cohorts already in years two and three of their residencies to create a community of 36 graduate residents.
Classroom
The coursework is designed to help you understand more than just what to do in youth ministry. You'll learn to think theologically about the ministry you lead and have the knowledge to design ministry programs that help graduate residents develop a deep, life-changing Christian faith. Courses are taught in a retreat format every six weeks, and there are weekly discussion groups and assignments.
Coaching
Receive regular one-on-one coaching from a youth ministry veteran to help you apply what you've learned and master critical ministry skills. Coaches also work directly with the local church to help the staff and congregation develop a healthy understanding of youth ministry and how to best integrate it into the life of the local church.
Church
Residents gain in-the-trenches youth ministry experience by serving 25 hours per week in a local church. Working part-time as a youth minister during your education allows you to put all the pieces together—everything you learn from the peers in your cohort, the professors in the classroom and from your coach.
Housing
All graduate residents are provided housing and utilities. Partner churches are responsible for providing suitable housing for their graduate resident.
Seminary Education + Practical Experience
The Graduate Residency at CYMT is designed to blend theological training with practical experience in the local church—a unique approach that develops youth ministers who are not only practical theologians but also theologically informed practitioners in youth ministry.
Requirements
- Minimum age is 22 years old
- BA or BS undergraduate degree
- Note: Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree will be considered with demonstrated life experience. These graduate residents will not be able to receive graduate level credits or complete the M.A. degree, though they can still earn a certificate.
- Click here to read the Graduate Resident Job Description and Expectations
Residency Costs
The cost to the resident to participate in the program is a resident fee of $1,000. The tutition can be paid up front or $250 each semester over the first two years. The CYMT program and your partner church will invest $70,000 in you. Your tuition and partner church agreement cover all your costs (tuition at MTS, retreat expenses, conferences, books) and provide you with housing, utilities, and a $12,000 a year stipend. For only $1,000 out of your pocket, you will receive what would cost you $30,000+ worth of training (tuition, books, travel, youth ministry events)&emdash;plus you'll have veteran coaching and on-the-job experience throughout the whole process.
Application Deadlines
November 30 - Early Acceptance Deadine: Applicants wishing to be considered for early acceptance to the program must have completed the application process by November 30 including all references, forms, and fees. Applicant interviews will take place the second and third weeks in December. Applicants will be informed if they have been accepted, deferred to the Spring deadline, or not accepted by January 15. Applicants who are accepted that are interested in early placement at a church in January will be considered for those opportunities if partner churches are available at that time.
March 1 - Admissions Deadline: Applications and supporting documents completed and on file by March 1 will receive preference. Applications received after March 1 will be considered if space permits.
Once all of your application materials are received, it will be reviewed at the next admissions committee meeting. The committee meets regularly and you will be contacted shortly after the group meets. An initial phone interview with each applicant will be scheduled to narrow down the list. The top applicants will be invited for a second interview for the available positions.
To have a CYMT staff member contact you to discuss a potential graduate residency position, email us at info@cymt.org