Graduate Residency

CYMT’s Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry

Theological education and practical training for today’s youth minister – providing a full-tuition seminary scholarship, on-the-job training, and personal coaching.

Comprehensive training for the modern youth minister.

The Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry is designed to wholly equip today’s professional youth minister. During the 3-year program, residents receive practical training and coaching from CYMT and a theological education at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminarywhere they earn a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry (MAYM) degree. Residents strengthen their education through work experience as a youth minister and expand their horizons on the practical implementation of ministry through community-based learning and one-on-one coaching.

CORE COMPONENTS

Classroom

Gain the biblical and theological expertise you need to design and engage in ministry programs that help young people develop a deep, life-changing Christian faith. Unlike traditional degree formats, classroom learning for the MAYM degree takes place over Intensives where students travel to the Austin Seminary campus or Nashville extension a few times a semester.

Cohort

Join a group of fellow residents from the same area and move through the program together. Your fellow classmates will support and walk alongside you during your 3 years at CYMT and beyond. Gain a richness and depth to your learning as you experience the multiple, diverse perspectives of your peers.

Coach

Receive consistent, personalized coaching from a CYMT-trained, veteran minister. Your coach will help you develop your ministry skills, challenge you to grow, and hold you accountable while supporting you. They will help you manage the day-to-day challenges of ministry like how to disciple difficult kids, how to balance ministry, school, and life, and how to best lead your volunteer team.

Communities of Faith

When we say communities of faith, we mean parts of the Church universal. CYMT partners with the communities of faith who are a part of the Body of Christ, to place residents to serve as a youth minister. CYMT Residents serve the Church through a variety of ministry settings, ranging from camp ministries to nonprofits, to traditional church settings. Regardless of the ministry setting, it will be an avenue for teenagers to experience the love of Jesus Christ, be formed in faith, and serve God.

Care

Receive the spiritual and pastoral support you need to live and lead effectively.  Learn how to fill your tank so that you are not serving on empty.  CYMT knows that ministry is hard so we want to teach you self-care so that you can stay in ministry for the long haul.

Choose Your Residency Track: Job Placement or Professional Education

Job Placement

Job placement in a ministry setting that best matches your personal calling.

For the next 3 years, you will learn on-the-job. You will be working 25 hours a week to serve the youth of that community of faith while earning your MAYM degree. Your placement might be in a traditional church congregation or a non-traditional setting such as a camp or community non-profit. Many of our residents go on to be employed full-time by their partner ministry after their residency is complete.

Benefits:

  • Job + $1,000 a month stipend
  • Housing & utilities (provided by your partner ministry)
  • Coaching
  • Tuition, books, travel, & all educational expenses

Cost: The total cost to residents of the Job Placement track program, if accepted, is a one-time $2,000 residency fee + a $50 application fee.

Residency Fee Discount: Accepted Job Placement track candidates who apply early receive:

  • By November 15th – $500 off their residency fee
  • By January 15th – $250 off their residency fee

Partner Ministries: The remaining cost for your Graduate Residency is paid for by the ministry where you serve and by generous donors who support CYMT. Click Here to learn more about our Partner Ministry Placement Program.

If accepted, CYMT will match you with a partner ministry that best matches your gifts, personality, and theology.

Professional Education

Practical training in your current ministry setting.

Unlike those on the Job Placement track, you will stay in your position at your current ministry, where we will come alongside you for additional training and personal coaching. CYMT will partner with your church or ministry to help you develop an innovative, effective, and theologically-informed youth ministry.  You will personally receive practical training and theological education as you earn your Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree.

Cost: The total cost for the Professional Education track is $30,000 paid over 3 years.  You or your employer pay a monthly fee to CYMT that covers all of your Graduate Residency expenses.  We highly recommend asking your church or ministry to make an investment in your education by covering your Graduate Residency costs.

Benefits: CYMT is seminary plus so much more. For less than the cost of tuition at most seminaries, your fees will cover and provide:

  • Tuition
  • Books & Seminary Fees
  • Travel to/from Intensives
  • Room & Board on Intensives
  • Professional Coaching

In addition to your Residency fees, there are two application fees:

  • Individual Applicant = $50
  • Partner Ministry Fee = $350

Total Professional Education Track cost for all 3 years = $30,000 + application fees

Job Placement

Job placement in a ministry setting that best matches your personal calling.

For the next 3 years, you will learn on-the-job. You will be working 25 hours a week to serve the youth of that community of faith while earning your MAYM degree. Your placement might be in a traditional church congregation or a non-traditional setting such as a camp or community non-profit. Many of our residents go on to be employed full-time by their partner ministry after their residency is complete.

Benefits:

  • Job + $1,000 a month stipend
  • Housing & utilities (provided by your partner ministry)
  • Coaching
  • Tuition, books, travel, & all educational expenses

Cost: The total cost to residents of the Job Placement track program, if accepted, is a one-time $2,000 residency fee + a $50 application fee.

Residency Fee Discount: Accepted Job Placement track candidates who apply early receive:

  • By November 15th – $500 off their residency fee
  • By January 15th – $250 off their residency fee

Partner Ministries: The remaining cost for your Graduate Residency is paid for by the ministry where you serve and by generous donors who support CYMT. Click Here to learn more about our Partner Ministry Placement Program.

If accepted, CYMT will match you with a partner ministry that best matches your gifts, personality, and theology.

Professional Education

Practical training in your current ministry setting.

Unlike those on the Job Placement track, you will stay in your position at your current ministry, where we will come alongside you for additional training and personal coaching. CYMT will partner with your church or ministry to help you develop an innovative, effective, and theologically-informed youth ministry.  You will personally receive practical training and theological education as you earn your Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree.

Cost: The total cost for the Professional Education track is $30,000 paid over 3 years.  You or your employer pay a monthly fee to CYMT that covers all of your Graduate Residency expenses.  We highly recommend asking your church or ministry to make an investment in your education by covering your Graduate Residency costs.

Benefits: CYMT is seminary plus so much more. For less than the cost of tuition at most seminaries, your fees will cover and provide:

  • Tuition
  • Books & Seminary Fees
  • Travel to/from Intensives
  • Room & Board on Intensives
  • Professional Coaching

In addition to your Residency fees, there are two application fees:

  • Individual Applicant = $50
  • Partner Ministry Fee = $350

Total Professional Education Track cost for all 3 years = $30,000 + application fees

Purpose

Grow into the youth minister God called you to be.

Innovative, practical and theologically-grounded, the Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry will help you grow. Be equipped to innovate new ways to minister with youth. Study and learn so you can engage youth in deep, theological reflection about God. Practice youth ministry so God can use you to invite youth on a journey of faith.

Why Youth Ministry?

Youth ministry is an investment in the lives of young people. It is an avenue for teenagers to experience the love of Jesus Christ, be formed in faith, and serve God. Youth Ministry creates Christian community, safe-spaces, and an environment for spiritual growth and development.

What is a Youth Minister?

CYMT believes that a youth minister is anyone who actively engages and invests in the lives of young people. Our mission is to develop professional Youth Ministers whose vocation is to serve youth in all sorts of ministry contexts: traditional church congregations, non-profits, camps, and community centers.

Watch Kat Bair share more about her experience as a CYMT Resident!

Theological Education + Practical Training

All CYMT residents earn their Master of Arts in Youth Ministry (MAYM) through Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (APTS). All residents, regardless of their placement, attend Austin seminary through our hybrid classroom model. Through this model, residents are not confined to being in a classroom every day like traditional seminary, but instead, attend Intensives. More about Intensives below.

The Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree provides foundational studies in Biblical Studies, Theology, Ethics, Pastoral Care, and Missions & Evangelism.  In your first year, you will participate in Practicum I and II where you will learn 24 skills that every youth minister must have.  In your second and third years, you will dive deeply into practical theology through your graduate-level youth ministry courses.  Additionally, the degree has room to choose from among many elective options including denominational coursework for those interested in pursuing ordination.

*The degree requires completion of 88 APTS credits (equivalent to 44 standard Carnegie credit hours). Each required class is worth 6 APTS credits. Each elective is worth 4 APTS credits. You will take a total of 12 required classes (2 per semester), and 4 elective classes.

Class Intensives

What are Intensives?
Instead of traditional seminary weekly classes, the MAYM degree at Austin Seminary is offered in a hybrid, intensive format. Each semester residents participate in 3 multi-day Intensives and weekly discussion groups each semester. A fourth optional intensive is offered each semester for elective coursework.

Intensives take place in both Austin at Austin Seminary campus and at the Nashville extension. Once each semester all residents travel to Austin Seminary for an Intensive together. The location you attend is determined by the region where you work.

MAYM Class Intensive Dates

Fall 2022

August 4-6 – Elective – Nashville Extension Site

September 15-17 – Three Day Intensive – Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

October 10-14 – Five Day Intensive – Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

December 1-3 – Three Day Intensive – Regional Campus/Site (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2023

January 19-21 – Elective at Austin Campus

 

Spring 2023

February 9-11 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

March 20-24 – Five Day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

April 27-29 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

 

Fall 2023

September 14-16 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

October 9-13 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Seminary (Core & YM Course)

November 30 – December 2 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2024

January 18-20 – 3- day Elective at Nashville Extension (Elective Course)

 

Spring 2024

February 8-10 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

March 18-22 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Seminary (Core & YM Course)

April 25-27 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2024

August 1-3 – 3-day Elective at Austin Seminary (Elective Course)

Summer Term 2024

August 1-3 – 3-day Elective at Austin Seminary (Elective Course)

 

Fall 2024

September 12-14 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

October 21-25 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

December 5-7 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Campus/Site (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2025

January 19-21 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extension

 

Spring 2025

February 13-15 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

March 24-28 – Five Day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

May 1-3 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

Fall 2022

August 4-6 – Elective – Nashville Extension Site

September 15-17 – Three Day Intensive – Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

October 10-14 – Five Day Intensive – Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

December 1-3 – Three Day Intensive – Regional Campus/Site (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2023

January 19-21 – Elective at Austin Campus

 

Spring 2023

February 9-11 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

March 20-24 – Five Day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

April 27-29 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

 

Fall 2023

September 14-16 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

October 9-13 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Seminary (Core & YM Course)

November 30 – December 2 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2024

January 18-20 – 3- day Elective at Nashville Extension (Elective Course)

 

Spring 2024

February 8-10 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

March 18-22 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Seminary (Core & YM Course)

April 25-27 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Sites (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2024

August 1-3 – 3-day Elective at Austin Seminary (Elective Course)

Summer Term 2024

August 1-3 – 3-day Elective at Austin Seminary (Elective Course)

 

Fall 2024

September 12-14 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

October 21-25 – 5-day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

December 5-7 – 3-day Intensive at Regional Campus/Site (Core & YM Course)

 

January Term 2025

January 19-21 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extension

 

Spring 2025

February 13-15 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

March 24-28 – Five Day Intensive at Austin Campus (Core & YM Course)

May 1-3 – Three Day Intensive at Regional Campus (Core & YM Course)

 

Summer Term 2023

August 3-5 – 3-day Elective at Nashville Extensive (Elective Course)

Application Process

Applications for the Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry are always open. Our team reviews applications as part of our rolling admission. There are three phases to the process that evaluate the theological fit, clarity of call, academic ability, and practical readiness of all candidates.

3 Phases

Phase 1: Register

Phase 1 is comprised of a short registration process that will allow our Admissions Team to be in touch with you.  Registration takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Phase 2: Application

During Phase 2, you will upload your resume, complete our theological survey, submit your references, upload your transcript, and complete short essay response questions.  You will also read excerpts of a book and write a short theological reflection to demonstrate your writing ability. A $50 application fee (or submission of a referral code) is required with your application. After submission of all  Phase 2 requirements, CYMT will contact you within 10 business days with a decision about advancement to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Interview

Phase 3 is a one-hour interview with some of our leadership staff. After the interview, CYMT will be in touch within 10 business days about your acceptance to the program.

Application Deadlines Dates

Job Placement Track Applicants:

Deadline for January Start* = October 1

Early applicants receive a discount on their residency fees:

  • Apply by June 1st for $500 off residency fees. 
  • Apply by August 1st for $250 off your residency fees.

Phase 2 of the application process must be completed by October 1st for consideration for a January placement and academic start.

Deadlines for Summer/Fall Start* = March 15

Early applicants receive a discount on their residency fees:

  • Apply by November 15 for $500 off residency fees. 
  • Apply by January 15 for $250 off your residency fees.

Phase 2 of the application process must be completed by March 15 for consideration for a summer placement and fall academic start.

*You must be 21 years of age and have completed your undergrad degree before you begin the program.

Professional Education Track Applicants:

Deadline for January Start = October 1
Phase 2 of the application process must be completed by October 1st for consideration for January admission.
Deadlines for Summer/Fall Start = March 15
Phase 2 of the application process must be completed by March 15 for consideration for Fall admission. Professional Education Residents must apply AS WELL AS their church, camp,  nonprofit, or ministry.

EXPLORE CYMT – Connect with Current Residents, Alumni, & Staff

Engage in the various connection points provided so that you can ask questions, meet current residents and alumni, and learn if CYMT is the next step in your professional youth ministry journey.

Exploratory Weekend

Our CYMT ‘Exploratory Weekends’ are exciting opportunities for interested individuals to learn more about CYMT by experiencing the residency in real-time during one of our academic intensives. These weekends help individuals discern whether CYMT is the right next step in their journey and to connect with current residents, professors, and alumni. Click below to explore the upcoming dates, schedules, and to sign up!

Virtual Visits (Info call)

If you really want the inside scoop on the Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry, join us for a free Virtual Visit! Twice a month, we host free informational Virtual Visits over Zoom where you can hear from current residents, staff, professors, or alumni. You will have a change to ask questions about their experience in the program, and speak with our admissions staff.

Talk to someone on our Admissions Team

Interested, but you have questions? We would be glad to answer any of your questions. Click the button below to schedule a phone call with our Admissions Team or simply call Tiffany at 1-800-811-8159.

Exploratory Weekend

Our CYMT ‘Exploratory Weekends’ are exciting opportunities for interested individuals to learn more about CYMT by experiencing the residency in real-time during one of our academic intensives. These weekends help individuals discern whether CYMT is the right next step in their journey and to connect with current residents, professors, and alumni. Click below to explore the upcoming dates, schedules, and to sign up!

Virtual Visits (Info call)

If you really want the inside scoop on the Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry, join us for a free Virtual Visit! Twice a month, we host free informational Virtual Visits over Zoom where you can hear from current residents, staff, professors, or alumni. You will have a change to ask questions about their experience in the program, and speak with our admissions staff.

Talk to someone on our Admissions Team

Interested, but you have questions? We would be glad to answer any of your questions. Click the button below to schedule a phone call with our Admissions Team or simply call Tiffany at 1-800-811-8159.

Admissions Team

Nick Guerra

Admissions & Services Director

Tiffany Malone

Recruiting Coordinator

Need More Details?

How can I afford this? Where will I live? What is seminary like? What youth ministry setting could I potentially be placed in?

Explore Announcements, Events, & Resources

Check out other ways to connect through social media where we share resident highlights and special announcements. You can also receive youth ministry resources like downloadable tools and guides through our email sign-up! Additionally, use the Remind App to get direct notifications sent to your phone for reminders of important dates like application deadlines or virtual visits you’re attending

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? – Behind every CYMT resident, there is a team of supporters.

CYMT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that equips youth ministers and communities of faith to develop innovative, effective, theologically-informed youth ministries. CYMT’s Graduate Residency in Youth Ministry program allows students to graduate debt-free, with a masters degree, and with at least 3 years of professional experience. This is accomplished through the generous partnership with our partner ministries and the contributions of our individual donors.

Join us for Exploratory Weekend!

Our CYMT ‘Exploratory Weekends’ are exciting opportunities for interested individuals to learn more about CYMT by experiencing the residency in real-time during one of our academic intensives. These weekends help individuals discern whether CYMT is the right next step in their journey and to connect with current residents, professors, and alumni.  Click below to explore the upcoming dates, schedules, and to register!