Residency Placement

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 Youth Ministry 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 retreat costs
48 credit hour Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree earned over the 3-year program
Job serving as a youth director in a local church
$1,000 per month stipend
Housing and utilities

Graduate Residency Placements

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.

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.

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. On-the-job training combined with theological education will allow you to fully live into your call.

“Some youth ministry programs emphasize the learning of theory, others focus on practical skills, and still others emphasize internships or working in a church. What is unique about CYMT is our commitment to equip our graduate residents through balance and integration of all these foundations for youth ministry expertise.” – Andrew Zirschky, CYMT Academic Director

Why be a CYMT Graduate Resident?

Burnout rate: Youth directors burnout rate is 3.9 years. CYMT’s training and coaching teach graduate residents how to sustain and thrive as a youth minister.

Staying power: Many youth ministers leave after 18-24 months, but many stay for years. There is a direct correlation between youth minister tenure and the health of a youth ministry. 70% of CYMT residents have continued to serve their churches beyond the length of the program.

Education matters: Only around 17% of paid youth workers have theological training, CYMT graduate residents are prepared both theologically and practically to develop strong youth ministries in your church.

Accountability: CYMT coaches hold both our residents and our partner churches accountable to developing the best youth ministry we can together. Open lines of communication allow for development and growth in the ministry.

Support: All CYMT coaches have over 12 years experience in a local church. Your coach and CYMT’s full time staff is there to ensure that youth ministry happens and to help when other “stuff” happens.

Community: A community of peer support and relationships are essential to youth director sustainability.

Debt Free: CYMT residents don’t get paid a lot of money, but they don’t build up debt from student loans either. At the end of the program, you will have 3-years solid experience, a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry, and a reference from the top youth ministry training program in the country.

Resident Quotes

"Upon graduating from college with a degree in Youth Ministry, I had a great deal of knowledge about Biblical studies and Youth Ministry but lacked the confidence gained from experience to actually begin a vocation in the field. I wanted to continue my education, but I also wanted to get my feet in the water, and CYMT provided such an opportunity." Courtney Thompson, Class of 2012

Residency Information

Residency Requirements

Minimum age is 22 years old
BA or BS undergraduate degree
35 month commitment to CYMT program
Note: Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree will be considered with demonstrated life experience

Cost

Graduate Residents in the Residency Placement Program pay a one-time residency fee of $1500 which is due June 15 of first year. If a resident leaves the program early for any reason, they forfeit this fee. There are no other costs associated with the program.

Start Date

Graduate residents typically will begin working in their church settings between July 1 and August 1 of application year. The CYMT academic program begins in August. A graduate resident may start their appointment earlier if mutually agreed upon by the church, resident, and CYMT. There will be financial considerations for churches where graduate residents begin early.

Locations

The CYMT Graduate Residency works with churches in the following areas: West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Eastern Arkansas, North Mississippi, and North Alabama.

Ecumenical

CYMT is an ecumenical program. CYMT has partnered with churches from the following denominations: Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian (USA), and United Methodist.

CYMT Philosphy

The 4 C’s

The graduate residency is comprised of four components designed to help you achieve academic success while gaining valuable ministry experience:

Cohort
Classroom
Coaching
Church

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 two other cohorts already in years two and three of their residency to create a community of 36 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 students develop a deep, life-changing Christian faith. Courses are taught in a retreat format every 6 weeks, and there are weekly discussion groups and assignments.

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.

Coaching

Residents receive regular one-on-one coaching from a youth ministry veteran to help you master critical ministry skills and apply what you've learned. 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 congregation.