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Program Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Program helps the student who has a specific call to ministry to develop a practical theology of youth ministry. The program prepares graduates to:

  • Develop vocational proficiency and leadership ability in a specialized field of youth ministry.
  • Reflect theologically, integrating Scripture, Church tradition, reason, and experience.
  • Minister effectively in the Church throughout the world.

Spiritual Life

The faculty of C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology believes that the growth of the student’s spiritual life is foundational to effective ministry.

Accordingly, the development of spiritual life is integral to every course. In addition, there are opportunities for the graduate school community to pray together and share experiences in Jesus Christ. Students and faculty are encouraged to attend the university chapels as well as special services and lectures.

Experiential Learning

C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology utilizes an experiential learning model. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Master of Arts in Youth Ministry (M.A.Y.M.), and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programs intentionally integrate biblical, theological, and ministerial studies with ministerial practice. Field education, the central component in the M.Div., M.A.P.S., and M.A.Y.M. degree programs, facilitates the integration of academic learning and experience in ministry. Students are required to devote at least eight hours per week to some form of supervised ministry for the duration of their master’s degree program.

For more information about field education, visit www.apu.edu/theology/graduate/fieldeducation/.

Class Schedule and Size

Azusa Pacific University’s C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology conducts a year-round schedule. The majority of the programs adhere to 15-week semesters, although some programs run on 9-week semesters. The D.Min Program, however, runs on a 26-week semester.

Classes are held one day a week, either during the day or in the evening to accommodate professionals or those involved in full-time ministry work.

Students benefit from personal attention and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with professors and peers with diversified ministerial experience.

Advancement to Candidacy

In order to advance toward the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree, the student must attain candidacy by completing 20 units of coursework, including 2 units of field education, with a grade-point average of at least 2.7. In addition, the student must comply with three candidacy requirements.

  1. A satisfactory evaluation by the director of field education and field ministry supervisors
  2. A satisfactory evaluation of the student’s spiritual and personal growth and skills for ministry development by the faculty
  3. Approval for candidacy by C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology faculty (The faculty may act to grant candidacy and permission to continue studies, or deny candidacy and recommend that the student be dropped from the program.)

All students in the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Program must devote at least eight hours per week for the duration of the program to the practice of some form of supervised ministry in an approved church or parachurch field center. In order to graduate, a student must maintain at least a 2.7 grade-point average.

Note: This information is current for the 2009-10 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for the most current and controlling information. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.