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CYMT also accepts students who are already serving full-time or part-time in Nashville area congregations. These students or their churches pay tuition to participate fully in the CYMT program but do not receive a stipend or housing. The cost is $12,000 per year*, which includes all tuition, books, coaching, and retreats (travel, room, and board). This fee also covers the student’s tuition at Memphis Theological Seminary during the certificate program.

You will receive:

  • Training - as a part the Certificate in Youth Ministry program or Masters degree at MTS

  • Support - from a community of youth ministers

  • Coaching - from a veteran youth minister

On the Job Training

CYMT believes that if you are going to learn how to swim, you have to get in the pool. That is why we require all of our students to be working at churches while they are in our program. The best way to learn about youth ministry is to do youth ministry. We also value practical theological training—and working in youth ministry allows you to immediately put in to practice the knowledge you are gaining and to test out your own theories and philosophies of ministry.

Learning from the Leaders in Youth Ministry Education

CYMT’s retreat based learning approach allows our students to learn from the leaders in youth ministry education—from professors to veteran youth ministers. At each retreat, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts from across the country. Students in other seminaries and programs learn from one or two professors; with CYMT students get a chance to learn from a variety of experts at one of our weekends. Click here to see a list of the youth ministry educators who have lead retreats for us in the past.

Retreats and Cluster Groups

We value communal learning at CYMT. Our students teach us and each other about youth ministry. Our retreats and conferences are a wonderful time of learning, laughing, playing, and worshiping together. They provide an incredible opportunity to be revitalized for ministry. Additionally, our cluster groups provide discussion-based learning among peers. One day a week between retreats, we gather in cluster groups for accountability and support and also to discuss our readings for class. This small group of peers provides you a place where someone can say, “I know what you mean,” a group that prays for you, a group that celebrates with you. To learn more about the retreats and conferences click here.

Coaching

Every CYMT student receives a coach with at least 10 years of youth ministry experience to work with them as they develop their ministry skills. These coaches walk alongside students as they navigate relationships within the staff and leadership of the church; as they learn to recruit, train, and manage volunteers; and as they help the church learn how to support and develop a strong, sustainable youth ministry. Click here to meet our coaches.

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 students 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 CYMT Student Expectations

Student Costs

All costs associated with the CYMT Certificate program are covered for a student when the church signs up to be training church ($12,000 annually)—giving the student more than $30,000 worth or training and professional coaching over the life of the program.

If you desire to complete the M.A. degree, you will have the option to complete the degree as a part of a 3rd year or you could choose to pursue it on your own.

Veteran Co-hort Special Pricing

A veteran cluster group is available for youth ministers who have been in professional youth ministry at least 6 years. The veteran group will meet via an online cluster group that will allow veterans to approach the coursework through a more advanced lens. Veterans can participate in the program for a reduced tuition of $9000, but will not receive coaching for themselves or their church.

To have a CYMT staff member contact you to discuss a potential internship, email us at info@cymt.org