Executive Youth Ministry Graduate Program
"I wanted to participate in a program at a school known for its academic rigor where
I could also gain practical experience ... I discovered that the School of Ministry
is a gem in the Dallas area — and beyond — for people who want to be equipped for
ministry in the church."
- Sammy Argumaniz, MTS '10, Diocese of Dallas Ministry Development Strategist
Join an online cohort of ministry leaders from across the nation.
Become powerfully equipped to stand with, by and for young people in today's rapidly
evolving culture as you plumb the depths of the Catholic faith and strengthen your
experience in pastoral ministry for the young church. University of Dallas' Master
of Pastoral Ministry - Youth Ministry (MPM-YM) program is offered to youth ministry
leaders from across the nation in an exclusive, two-year, online cohort. Dynamic theology
and ministry courses, integration seminars and a capstone project will comprehensively
prepare you to cultivate the spiritual growth of young people in parish, school or
other mission settings while you develop professionally through the program's unique
executive-style approach to graduate education.
Meet our nationally recognized faculty & youth ministry experts.
Bob McCarty, D.Min. and Elizabeth Madeo join with University of Dallas' nationally recognized faculty to bring this program to ministry leaders. McCarty, D.Min., brings over 40 years
of ministry experience to bear on his teaching and leadership, 19 of which he spent
serving as executive director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. Madeo has had the joy of being the director of youth ministries at a parish in Kansas
City, MO for the last 14 years, in addition to writing, speaking and teaching on a
national scope.
Meet Your Professors & Classmates in Rome, Italy.
You're invited to an exclusive MPM-YM study abroad experience in Rome, Italy, as part
of your graduate studies with the University of Dallas. For two weeks over the summer, you'll have the opportunity join your professors and
fellow MPM-YM colleagues as you complete two of your courses at UD's Rome campus nestled in the Alban Hills, overlooking the Eternal City. Class lectures from our
nationally recognized faculty are combined with visits to the city for an awe-inspiring
spiritual and intellectual experience. Engage in stimulating and enlightening conversation, enhance your worldview, create
lasting friendships among other MPM-YM students from across the nation and truly deepen
your faith.
Grow professionally through an executive-model curriculum.
Our executive model MPM-YM curriculum is designed to advance your graduate education
while you remain committed to full or part-time work. It integrates your real-life
ministry experience with internship and capstone project requirements. Executive-model
MPM-YM classes are offered online and can be completed in just two years.
To complete the MPM-YM program in two years, the following program of study has been established for
cohort students.
Fall Semester 2019
Sem 1: Term 1: RPS 6320 Theological Reflection
Sem 1: Term 2: RPS 6322 New Testament
Both Terms: Graduate Proseminar (1 credit hour)
Spring Semester 2020
Sem 2: Term 1: RPS 6312 Moral Theology
Sem 2: Term 2: RPS 6321 Old Testament
Both Terms: RPS 7164 Youth Ministry Integration Seminar I
Summer Semester 2020
Rome 1: RPS 6V50 Foundations of Youth Ministry
Rome 2: RPS 6V51 Leadership in Christian Communities
Fall Semester 2020
Sem 3: Term 1: RPS 6330 Ministry in the Church
Sem 3: Term 2: RPS 6311 Liturgy & Sacraments
Both Terms: RPS 7165 Youth Ministry Integration Seminar II
Spring Semester 2021
Sem 4: Term 1: RPS 6314 Church History
Sem 4: Term 2: RPS 6313 Systematic Theology
Both Terms: RPS 7166 Youth Ministry Integration Seminar III
Summer Semester 2021
Term 1 & 2: RPS 7394 Youth Ministry Capstone
Integration Seminars & Capstone
In addition to the Core courses and three Youth Ministry Concentration electives (Foundations of Youth Ministry,
Leadership in Christian Communities & Ministry in the Church) outlined in the Program
of Study, MPM-YM students also complete integration seminars and the capstone experience.
RPS 7164. Youth Ministry Integration Seminar I: Discernment for Ministry
One of the main qualities of the youth minister is the ability to reflect on the state
of the ministry programming for which they are responsible, discerning the appropriate
direction and ministerial need. In the first integration seminar, students, working
with seasoned professionals, will reflect on their youth ministry setting, identify
community need and begin developing an appropriate ministerial response.
RPS 7165. Youth Ministry Integration Seminar II: Theological Foundations
The youth minister must demonstrate the ability to develop programming in alignment
with the liturgical, doctrinal, Scriptural, and ecclesial documents of the Catholic
Church in such a way that programming is Christocentric and follows the guidelines
developed for Catholic youth ministry. The second integration seminar will provide
students with the opportunity to practice skills for reflecting theologically on the
youth program and ministry for which they are responsible.
RPS 7166. Youth Ministry Integration Seminar III: Implementing Change
Successful youth ministry requires the ability to put theory into practice. In the
third integration seminar, the student will develop and implement a ministerial response
to the discerned need in their particular ministry setting, demonstrating the skills
needed for pastoral programs and initiatives in ministry to, with, by and for youth.
RPS 7394. Ministry Capstone: Youth Ministry
Students take this course in their final semester. It provides an opportunity for
them to integrate previous coursework and reading with the knowledge and skills required
to address particular pastoral tasks effectively. The student will work with seasoned
ministerial practitioners who will provide onsite supervision. Capstone projects require
the completion of a detailed application and written approval by Neuhoff School of
Ministry faculty supervisors several months prior to registration.
Explore additional graduate ministry courses >
An annotated bibliography of texts related to the core curriculum of the Neuhoff School
of Ministry is a degree requirement (required for graduation) for the Master of Theological
Studies program. The goal of the annotated bibliography is to help students solidify
and demonstrate their understanding of the basic theological knowledge appropriate
to professional competency for pastoral leadership. The annotated bibliography consists
of a formal bibliographic entry for 25 approved texts that are followed by a description
of the thesis, argumentation, and significance of each text.
Students should begin working with their faculty advisor on the annotated bibliography
and obtain approval of the required works list early in their program. The final annotated bibliography is due by the 4th week of the semester a student
intends to graduate.
For details, contact your faculty advisor and view the Annotated Bibliography section
of the Graduate Student Resources webpage.
Have questions? Contact us for more information!
