Youth Ministry Leadership

The Yale Youth Ministry Institute is pleased to offer the Yale Divinity School Certificate in Youth Ministry Leadership.

Youth ministry practitioners will gather for education and networking in a cohort-based model for learning. Together, the group will read important literature and hear from the nation’s leading scholars about three key topics:
  
1. Leadership Theory in Church Organizations 
2. Theological and Spiritual Care for Youth (with a focus on mental health)
3. Empowerment, Liberation, and Justice Work with Youth 

This program is designed with youth pastors, committed volunteers, part-time workers, and laypeople in mind.  All are invited to take this certificate program, an academic and practical primer on the themes relevant to leading resilient, healthy, theologically rooted youth ministries.  If you have ever wondered, “How do I lead these incredible young people through these challenging systems and culture?” this course is for you! 

Participants will embark upon three trimesters in our online program, in which we will learn how: self-differentiated and adaptive leadership can lead to innovation; youths’ well-being takes center stage; and the passion of the current generation is harnessed for positive, justice-focused change. Join us in shaping the future of youth ministry, and experience personal and collective growth in a supportive virtual environment! 

The ideal applicant for this non-degree program would:
- Have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Be actively involved in youth work in a local faith community
- Willingly enter into a covenant to complete the assigned work (requiring a certain level of flexibility in one’s schedule)
- Possess a degree of digital literacy (classes will be virtual, and assignments will be submitted online)

Program Schedule
The synchronous session are held on Thursdays from 12-1:15 pm (Eastern Standard Time).

1st Trimester: September - November 2025
2nd Trimester: January - February 2026
3rd Trimester: March - May 2026

NOTE: There will be a two-week break around Holy Week and Easter.

Center for Continuing Education

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Program Takeaways

  • Think critically and theologically about youth ministry
  • Design ministry programs that support youth in their faith development
  • Obtain practical, real-world training for working with adolescents
  • Network with fellow youth leaders and engage in peer-to-peer learning
  • Develop sustainable, centered leadership skills

Delivery:
Hybrid (Asynchronous & Weekly Live Sessions)

This program is entirely online and includes both synchronous and asynchronous components. It consists of pre-recorded lectures and one live Zoom discussion per week. There will be an optional on-campus gathering at the end of the course.

Duration:
A 9-month program divided into three 8-10 week trimesters from September to May.

Fees:
$1,200 ($600 due prior to starting, $600 due the following January)

Language:
English

Credentials:
Non-Credit Certificate

Apply Now here and be sure to sign up with an account.

How much work is involved in the Certificate Program?

There are approximately 100 pages assigned each week for reading.  Additionally, there is a weekly 20-30 min video, and participants are expected to post a follow-up question or insight on an online discussion board.  Each section concludes with a final paper or project.

We estimate that 5-7 hours per week should be dedicated to the Certificate Program.  Please note that this is an estimate, which is largely dependent upon one’s reading speed.

How much of the work will be synchronous, or on my own time?

The class will meet together at a predetermined time for one hour and 15 minutes.  The remaining time for the program can be completed on the participants’ own schedule.

I am employed by a church.  How will this program help me, and work with my schedule?

This program is designed for working professionals, with the hopes that the learnings gleaned here will impact one’s ministry.  Ample time is set aside for the Christmas and Easter holidays.  We also understand that the work of ministry can be an unexpected one; we allow students to miss four class sessions throughout the year without penalty.

What level of education do I need to have achieved prior to enrolling?

The ideal candidate should have earned a Bachelor’s degree in order to participate in our program.  That said, we encourage all who are interested to apply, and we carefully consider applications in their entirety.

Is this program inherently Christian?

Yale Divinity School has Christian roots, and many of the contributors to the program come from Christian settings.  That being said, this is an affirming space that welcomes all people, and we believe that the subject matter could cross-pollinate with other faith traditions.  Please contact the Center for Continuing Education for more information.

Do I need to be currently serving in a ministry setting in order to apply?

Ministry experience is crucial for program participants, and the ideal candidate should be working in the ministry field in some capacity.  If you are taking a break from ministry, we will still welcome your application, and we will review it on a case-by-case basis.  A letter of recommendation from a recent supervisor will still be required.

How tech-savvy do I need to be to access the program materials?

A basic understanding of computer usage is required.  Classes are on Zoom, and course materials and submissions use the Canvas interface.  We offer an orientation at the start of the program for those unfamiliar with these tools, and help is readily available through Yale University’s Poorvu Center.

How inclusive is this program?  What should I expect?

Yale Divinity School is committed to an atmosphere of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This program is no exception, and strives to offer diverse perspectives through its leadership and scholarship.  Please see the Yale University Policy Statements here for details.

How will I be evaluated?

While there is robust conversation and feedback offered throughout the year, this is a unique program in which there are no grades offered. The phrase of “You get out what you put in” is most applicable here.  If one does not attend classes or complete the assignments, they will be asked to leave the program. 

What can I expect to take away from this program?

All continuing education programs can be a great gift: they offer professionals a chance to steep themselves in scholarship which ideally yields a deeper understanding of their craft.  This program endeavors to offer that for those involved in youth ministry.  An additional benefit to this program is its cohort model, wherein participants will convene with fellow learners for resource-sharing and community-building.  Past participants frequently name that this gift has been one of the most surprising and rewarding aspects of the program for them.

Are scholarships available?

Because we endeavor to keep costs as reasonable as possible for our participants, we are typically unable to offer scholarships.  If there is a truly exceptional circumstance, please reach out to our office.