CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY

The Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry offers integrated training combining formal study, connection with a community of children’s and youth ministry practitioners, and involvement in ministry with children and young people in a local church.

STUDY

COMMUNITY

CHURCH

STUDY

Specialised units in children’s and youth ministry can contribute to any of the undergraduate or graduate awards of the Australian College of Theology offered at Ridley.
Recommended study pathways integrate specialised units with core units in biblical studies, theology, and church history.
Study one to four units per semester in a combination of intensive mode and weekly classes on campus and/or online. FEE-HELP is available for eligible students.
Full-time students (enrolled in a minimum of three standard units per semester) may be eligible for Centrelink allowances such as AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY, New Start and Youth Allowance.

COMMUNITY

Connect with fellow children’s and youth ministry students in a Vocational Mentoring Group.
Trainees become part of the Co-oP, the Ridley Children’s and Youth Ministry Community of Practice, connecting with a professional learning community of children’s and youth ministry practitioners.

CHURCH

All children’s and youth ministry students are encouraged to work in a children’s or youth ministry placement in a local church for one to four days per week.
Students studying Diploma or Degree courses can complete a children’s and youth ministry placement practicum by including a unit in Field Education in their study program.
Scholarships are available to help establish new student placement positions in youth ministry for up to ten hours a week over a two-or three-year period.

Recommended Study Pathways

Certificate Courses

Undergraduate Certificate of Ministry, Graduate Certificate of Divinity

The four-unit certificate courses can be completed in one semester full-time, or part-time over two years (one unit per semester).
Completed part-time, a Certificate course enables CYM leaders or trainees to give approximately one day per week of study alongside ministry of up to five days per week.

Diploma Courses

Diploma of Ministry, Graduate Diploma of Divinity

The diploma courses comprising eight units can be completed in one year full-time, or part-time over four years (one unit per semester).
The Diploma courses are the recommended foundational training for effective leadership in church-based children’s and youth ministry.

Degree Courses

Bachelor of Ministry, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Ministry, Master of Divinity

The degree courses comprising twenty-four untis can be completed in three years full-time, or part-time over nine years.
The degrees are the recommended training for long-term leadership in church-based children’s and youth ministry.

Application Process

For students wanting to undertake the program

Complete the Ridley College online application process by clicking the APPLY button below.

APPLY

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to help establish new student placement positions for up to ten hours per week over a two or three year period. For more information, please contact Graham Stanton on g.stanton@ridley.edu.au

SCHOLARSHIPS

Ridley College is an affiliated college with the Australian College of Theology, CRICOS Provider Code 02650E.

Year A (2023, 2025)	Semester One	Semester Two
Combined units in children’s and youth ministry	DE037: Children’s and Youth Ministry (extensive)	PC076: Personal and Spiritual Formation for Christian Ministry (intensive)
Year B (2024, 2026)
Children’s Ministry	Elective unit in biblical studies*	DE031: Skills for Children’s and Family Ministry (online)
Youth Ministry	DE011: Youth in the Churches (extensive)	Elective unit in biblical studies*

Combined units in Children’s and Youth Ministry	DE037: Children’s and Youth Ministry PC076: Personal and Spiritual Formation for Christian Ministry
Specialised units in either Children’s Ministry OR Youth Ministry	DE031: Skills for Children’s and Family Ministry or DE011 Youth in the Churches
Children’s and Youth Ministry Field Education	DE016/DE017: Children’s or Youth Ministry Field Education
Theology	TH005: Foundational Christian Beliefs
Biblical studies (any three of the following)	BB002: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (on-campus only) OT001, OT002: Old Testament Foundations, Old Testament Prophets and Writings NT001 - Jesus and the Gospels (online), NT002 - Early New Testament Church (online), NT003: New Testament Overview (on-campus)

CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY

Recommended Study Pathways

Certificate Courses