Yes, you can use a site where you are currently employed (full-time or part-time) or where you volunteer for your apprenticeship, as long as it is approved by the Apprenticeship Department. If you use your full-time employment as your apprenticeship, you will need to focus on a specific area or project to utilize for your apprenticeship goals, and make sure those goals include active leadership responsibilities (see definition above).

Because there are only 11 minimum required hours in your apprenticeship, we do not want you to simply list your entire job description as you plan and outline your apprenticeship goals. We will ask that you be intentional or try to begin new goals or projects within the site where you volunteer or work. If you have further questions about this please contact the Apprenticeship Department.

For MDiv students, the apprenticeship is three quarters long (nine months). For MATM students, the apprenticeship is only one quarter (three months). Please keep in mind that the apprenticeship application process happens in the quarter before you actually start your apprenticeship. The time length will also vary if you receive an Apprenticeship Waiver or choose to do a Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE).

Yes, you can apply to receive an Apprenticeship Waiver. Apprenticeship Waivers are offered to students with significant ministry experience. MDiv students must have a minimum of five years of full-time ministry (35+ hours a week) to apply. MATM students need a minimum of three years of full-time ministry experience to apply. We work with bivocational or part-time experience on a case by case basis; please contact the Apprenticeship Department if you have any questions. Further, please see our site on the Quad to learn more information about the waiver requirements, and to access the Apprenticeship Waiver application.

Yes, MDiv students may do their apprenticeship at multiple sites throughout the three quarters of their apprenticeship. We refer to this as “stackable sites.” However, we only allow a maximum of two sites. You must complete at least two quarters at the same site. If you choose to switch your site, you must notify the Apprenticeship Department, repeat the application process, and have your new site, supervisor, and proposal approved by our office.

We try to provide as many resources as we can for students to find a compatible site. The first place would be Fuller’s Job Board, which is where we direct sites who are looking to offer opportunities for Fuller apprenticeships. You can search specifically for the apprenticeship postings to see the most current opportunities. After that, we recommend using the Fuller Careers Handshake Platform to search for jobs and apprenticeships in your area, based on your interests. Finally, as a department we can set up a meeting to share any sites or resources we are aware of that might be a good fit for you.

Yes. It is not required but students can use their apprenticeship to receive 4 units toward their electives. Both MDiv and MATM apprenticeship are eligible for 4 elective units. MDiv students can register in their third and final quarter if they choose to receive units. The first two quarters will still be registered as 0 units. Please be aware that tuition costs will apply if you register for units. If you have questions about how this will affect financial aid, please contact either the Apprenticeship Department or your academic advisor.

Completing an apprenticeship is a degree requirement for both MDiv and MATM programs. Fuller allows students a choice to take their apprenticeship for 0 or 4 units. If they receive units it will be applied toward any open elective requirements in their degree plan. If you do not have any elective requirements open, you will not be able to apply the units to your degree. Please contact the Apprenticeship Department if you would like to speak to someone about which option would be most beneficial for you.

Yes, a student may be compensated for their apprenticeship. Fuller does not provide any financial assistance for apprenticeships. It is up to the sites to decide if they are willing to offer a paid opportunity, and up to the students to research and find opportunities that will be suitable to their needs.

Students who receive financial aid are often required to register for a certain amount of units each quarter in order to remain eligible. If you are an MDiv student, please be aware that if you are choosing to receive 4 units for your Apprenticeship, those units will only be registered in your third and final quarter. Your first two quarters will show up as 0 units, and cannot be applied to financial aid unit requirements. This should be taken into consideration as students plan their course schedule, workload, and financial needs.

As an international student, you will need to notify the International Services Office when you are planning to start your apprenticeship. In order to meet visa requirements you must complete a CPT Form before you begin your Apprenticeship.

At this time, we offer groups in English and Spanish.