The Youth, Family, and Culture concentration in the MATM program prepares students to be better youth ministry pastors/ministers/directors. This concentration is for youth ministry-oriented students who love and desire to advocate for diverse young people, have experience but want to be more prepared and more effective, and/or are drawn to a variety of powerful paths that serve young people (including church, parachurch, counseling, education, social services, community development).

Fuller and the Fuller Youth Institute’s commitment to learning, resourcing, and networking has placed us as one (if not the) most significant schools dedicated to youth and young adult ministry. Our work regularly taps into the expertise of Fuller’s School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy and the School of Mission and Theology faculty. Those who seek to develop their skills and knowledge in youth and young adult ministry look to Fuller and the Fuller Youth Institute.

Students in this concentration will benefit from a supportive community, training to handle ministry in an ever-changing world, and preparation for youth ministry and beyond.

Take courses like Youth, Gender, Race, and Culture; Childhood in Global Perspective: Foundations for Mission with Children at Risk; Youth, Learning, and Digital Culture.

For missionaries, urban church planters, people engaged with cross-cultural evangelism and/or urban projects, and those with a passion for social transformation as part of integral mission, Fuller’s Intercultural and Urban Ministry concentration provides students with the chance to further develop their skills to serve or continue to serve in intercultural contexts.

Learn from world-class faculty like Professors Dr. Salvatierra, Dr. Radcliffe, Dr. Garcia-Johnson and more. Fuller’s School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy offers students unparalleled opportunities to integrate psychology into their studies, including the chance to learn from faculty who are experts in trauma.

Fuller’s Centro Latino, Center for Asian American Theology and Ministry, Korean Studies Center, Chinese Studies Center, and William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies also provide students with resources and community to further support their studies.

Sample courses include Introduction to Transforming the City, Organizing Urban Communities for Transformation, and Globalization, Poverty, and Christian Mission.

The Ecclesial Leadership concentration is ideal for students seeking focused training in critical leadership skills, preparing them to think theologically and lead effectively in an ever-changing world. By choosing this concentration, students will learn from world-class faculty practitioners as they prepare for roles as pastors, parachurch ministry leaders, and organizational leaders.

Sample courses include Leadership and Diversity: Gender, Cultures, and Ethnicity, Leadership for Transformation, and Value-Based Leadership in the New Testament.

The Black Church Studies concentration equips the next generation of leaders in the Black church and community.

Black students will have the opportunity to build community around concepts that are immediately applicable to their contexts and are centered on many of their own experiences and narratives. By choosing this concentration, students will learn from world-class faculty practitioners as they prepare for vocational leadership in a variety of settings from the context and perspective of the Black church and community.

Sample courses include Introduction to Black Theology, Witness and Justice, and Race, Religion, and Theology in America.

The Asian American Ministry concentration is designed for students desiring to minister as Asian Americans, in Asian American contexts, or to Asian Americans.

Students will develop a sophisticated practical understanding of racial history, cultural engagement, and contextual theology. By choosing this concentration, students will learn from world-class faculty practitioners as they prepare to lead in a variety of vocational settings including ethnic-specific or multiracial churches or ministries.

Sample courses include Asian American Identity and Ministry, Integral Evangelism, and Asian American Theologies.