February 8, 2027 – Feb 9, 2029

We will journey together over the next two years of study, united by a shared calling for missions leaders, servant-hearted practitioners, effective technologists, and cross-cultural communicators serving within missions teams to collaborate for the future of God’s calling on us as YWAM.

The strength of our cohort-based learning lies in the way each person contributes to the whole as we move together within the live/learn environment for which the UofN is well known. Just as rowers work in unison to skillfully cut through the waves, we too are invited into more than a course — we are invited into a shared journey of formation over 24 months. Together, we commit to a common rhythm as we follow God’s leading. This is both our identity and our mission: recognizing that how we travel together is just as important as where we are going. God is our guide. Will you join us?

This will be the third cohort of the program. The first was anchored in North America, the second in South America, and this time we will be based in Europe. Our student body gathers from all over the world. You do not need to leave your family, ministry, leadership, or current responsibilities to participate. Much of the learning happens within the context of the ministry and service roles you already carry. Throughout the program, we will gather both online and in person for intensives, learning and growing together along the way.

The UofN Graduate Studies Courses in Missions & Team-based Communication is an established program created for Youth With A Mission staff in leadership communication roles, who have been in YWAM at least five years, and who have some academic experience. Are you a people developer and team leader who wrestles with questions of team-based culture? This degree may be for you!

Topics include teamwork and decision-making in the midst of diversity, supervisor and peer communication, and the influence of technology on communication. We are looking for those who desire to grow in leadership communication understanding and practice, while still active in serving others through the ministry roles they have.

The program is 24 months long, including intensives embedded in each of the four distance learning modules. Candidates engage an online platform at least weekly, responding to assigned readings and discussing course content as they integrate new insights with past experience. Graduate level research and writing builds through the coursework and culminates in a final capstone or thesis project.

Apply once for the full graduate program, including all courses below and the final Capstone/Thesis project.

What principles of team-based communication are implicit in the biblical doctrine of the Trinity? In what way is the incarnational ministry model of Jesus a model for communication? How do these apply in our contexts today? This module looks to lay a foundation that starts with who God is, integrating an introduction to the academic study of communication theory, within the context of practicing missional Christian community.

March 22 – Aug 6, 2027
– Residential Intensive: May 18, 2027 – May 30, 2027, Location TBC

This course considers intercultural dynamics in a global movement. How does our culture of origin affect the way we define what good teamwork and good communication looks like? What is our ideal of community? How do we handle our differences? How might we better leverage our diversity as strength rather than as a challenge to overcome?

Feb 28, 2028 – July 7, 2028
– Residential Intensive dates: April 20 – May 4 2028, Location TBC

The capstone or thesis is a requirement and an opportunity for participants in the Graduate Studies in Missions and Team-Based Communication to integrate theory and practice in a significant project applicable to their roles outside the program. Capstone/Thesis projects require students to develop competency in gathering, analyzing, and reporting on data in an area of concern. The thesis/capstone is integrated into the 4 courses and done within the two year study period.

Successful completion of Discipleship Training School, and a minimum of five years participation in YWAM/UofN, including time spent as a student. A Bible Core Course or equivalent is required, or can be arranged for online. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is recommended (exceptions to this requirement are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis). Candidates should expect to give at least 15 hours a week for the duration of this course.