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DTS Guidelines
& policy

In order for your DTS students to receive U of N credit for the DTS, each learning week of the DTS must be properly registered on a U of N Form A and be accompanied by the appropriate course registration fee. 

The Form A was revised 2005 to make the registration process easier for you and more helpful to us. You can obtain a Form A registration packet, including course registration fee information, by writing to your designated U of N Regional Records Office.​

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  1. The purpose and basic curriculum of the DTS has been defined by the international leadership of YWAM and U of N. To insure that the DTS stays on course with the vision, it is essential that DTS leaders keep the purpose statements in focus, that specific goals and objectives of each school support the fulfillment of the overall purpose statements and that the content be complete.

  2. The DTS must contain a minimum of 11 teaching content weeks, with a minimum of 12 teaching content hours per week for one language ( a minimum of 16 hours for a bi-lingual school) in addition to the other learning activities described in the document on "Full Learning Weeks". The DTS must contain a minimum of 8 Field Assignment weeks. However, all leaders are encouraged to run a 24 week DTS course which will enable students to receive the maximum 24 credits allowed for a U of N DTS. This is based on the credit evaluation of one credit per "full learning week".

  3. The DTS is a full-time Christian training school. It is designed such that individuals are required to pull away from their jobs and school etc. for a specific time period and give their undivided attention to being trained in the DTS.

  4. Each week of the complete DTS course must be a "Full Learning Week" as described in the document entitled "Full Learning Weeks". Three hours of intercession are required per week throughout all of the DTS course weeks.

  5. Regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings between staff and students are to be carried out for feedback, assessment & evaluation. Our goal is one such individual meeting a week. See "One on Ones in the DTS" document.

  6. The DTS/CDTS is to contain a minimum of 8 Field Assignment/Outreach weeks throughout the total course and is to be carried forth in accordance with the guidelines defined in the U of N Reference Guide documents entitled “YWAM/U of N Field Assignment-Outreach Policy and Procedure”. "DTS Outreach Fruitful Practice", "Minimum Criteria for DTS Staff". The primary emphasis of the DTS/CDTS outreach is to be evangelism, not only intercession or physical work and is to include a minimum of 30 hours per week of ministry activity serving people outside of the team. Ministry strategies are to come out of prayer. The majority of ministry activity is to involve connecting with people with the aim of facilitating them becoming followers of Jesus. (evangelism) The outreach in to include a minimum of 15 hours per week of other structured learning activities such as communication, team building, ministry debriefing, feedback, sharing of needs, prayer for individuals, ministry prep including at least 3 hours of intercession, and 3 times of worship as a team (God focused time) that is spread throughout each week of the outreach. We should endeavor also to expose our students to the three aspects of the ministry calling of YWAM which includes Mercy Ministries. There should be a positive, cross-cultural evangelistic experience, so that each one sees fruit. We want the students to see missions in action, and to like missions. As well, the outreach weeks should be a conscious “putting into practice” of the teaching content throughout the DTS/CDTS. Outreach leaders should be constantly helping the students see how to apply the teaching to their lives and ministry. (i.e. How does the Father Heart of God apply in this outreach situation? What about the application of spiritual warfare, giving up rights, relationships, the Word etc.)

  7. YWAM’s Foundational Values are to be taught, modeled and integrated into your DTS. See the document entitled "The Foundational Values of Youth With a Mission".

  8. The setting for your DTS is to be a live/learn environment as described in the U of N Catalogue (in the general information section). The live/learn philosophy is a community learning concept which accelerates and deepens the educational process.

  9. Qualified trained leaders and staff in character, calling, gifting, and ability are necessary to run a DTS effectively. Therefore, there is to be on-going DTS staff/leadership training at the local base level. DTS staff/leaders cannot create, nor lead, a quality DTS that meets international requirements without on-going equipping for the task. Therefore the training of the DTS school staff/leaders must be valued in such a way that DTS staff/leaders have the time in their schedule to be trainined prior to and during the DTS. DTS staff/leaders should not be expected to fulfill time-consuming non-DTS roles on the base for several weeks before, nor during the DTS. (i.e. roles that compete with their equipping and ability to fulfill their responsibilities with the DTS.) note: 'qualified' assumes the local base leadership has set minimum standards for qualification. See the documents entitled "U of N School Leaders Preamble"; "U of N School Leaders Characteristics"; "U of N School Leaders Accountability"; "U of N School Leaders Responsibilities" ;Who Can Lead A U of N School?," Minimum Criteria for DTS Staff ".

  10. Qualified teachers, those who represent and exemplify YWAM values in teaching and interaction with students, are also vital to the dynamic learning process of a DTS. At least some of the teachers should be international, from different denominational backgrounds and should include women.

  11. Orientation to YWAM, its values, callings, and ministry opportunities should be a part of every DTS/CDTS. Leaders/staff have the privilege and the responsibility to actively engage in linking students to missions through a variety of means based on the students’ unique individual interests, gifts, abilities and callings. We want to make it easy for people to get into YWAM.

  12. Orientation to U of N and its future courses should be carried out with students, enabling them to see the bigger picture of missions training available to them through the University. All students registered with the U of N are to receive a U of N Catalogue from their designated U of N International Registrar’s Office. DTS/CDTS leaders/staff should make sure that all other students should have equal access to U of N course information.

  13. Assessment and evaluation is required in each DTS/CDTS:
    a. Student assessment and evaluation: criteria for student assessment and evaluation is to be clearly communicated by the DTS/CDTS leadership to the students at, and/or prior to, the beginning of the DTS/CDTS. At the end of the school, each student is to be assessed and evaluated based on the previously stated criteria. The student is then given either an ‘S’ grade for satisfactorily completing the DTS/CDTS or a ‘U’ grade for unsatisfactorily completing the DTS/CDTS.
    b. School assessment and evaluation: assessment and evaluation of every DTS/CDTS, both the lecture and outreach phases, as well as the staff/leaders, is to be carried out at the end of each DTS/CDTS by both the students and DTS/CDTS staff/leaders. The local base leadership is ultimately responsible for the quality of their DTS/CDTS programme and the DTS/CDTS staff/leaders at their location, including the fulfillment of all of the basic YWAM/U of N international requirements stated in this document entitled "Guidelines for YWAM/U of N Discipleship Training Schools". An evaluation of every DTS/CDTS school and staff/leader by both the students and staff/leaders of that school will give the necessary feedback to the base leadership regarding the affect of their own decision making influencing any aspect of the DTS/CDTS so that adjustments can be made to ensure effective transformational training is taking place in the DTS/CDTS at every location.

 

(Last updated: 24 July, 2017 ) ©International DTS Centre, 2002, 2005, 2015

DTS Prerequisite policy

(For other languages please click here)

The Discipleship Training School (DTS/CDTS) is a prerequisite to all other U of N training schools and degree programme. All U of N applicants must satisfactorily complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS/CDTS), including the outreach or field assignment, before being permitted to attend any other course/school, or being accepted into a degree programme. It is the responsibility of all post-DTS school leaders to inform all prospective students of this "DTS First"

Operational Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this policy a Discipleship Training School is defined as any YWAM/U of N Discipleship Training School (DTS) or Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS), whose lecture phase is at least eleven (11) weeks in duration, and whose outreach or field assignment is at least eight (8) weeks in duration in accordance with the guidelines established for the DTS/CDTS by the YWAM International Office of Training and the YWAM/U of N DTS Centre.

 

 

Purpose

This policy is set out in order to establish YWAM corporate values and ministry philosophy for the DTS/CDTS into a written format which sets out the normal expectations, valid exceptions, and criteria upon which exceptions are granted, as well as the procedures whereby these are accomplished.

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Foundational Values/Principles/Scriptures:

  • YWAM is called to participate actively in fulfilling the Great Commission through preaching the gospel and discipling all nations (Act 13:2; 16:19).

  • YWAM is relationship oriented. We emphasize openness, humility and communication rather than dependence on structure and rules (1Jo 1:7; Gal 5:1).

  • YWAM is committed to understanding the character and ways of God, to hearing God's voice and seeking His counsel as part of the process of decision making (Rom 10:17; Joh 5:30).

  • YWAM is called to recognize the value of godly character in an individual over and above his gifts, abilities and expertise (Php 4:8-9).

  • The U of N approach to education is based upon 2Pe 1:5-8 which stresses balanced development in every area of life B in faith, virtue (character), knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

  • The U of N live-learn philosophy is a community learning concept. It is based on the scriptural principle of a body of believers who are one in spirit and working together as a team toward the same objectives. It implies a sharing of resources, ideas, talents, and a working together in unity.

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Scope:

All applicants to U of N courses/schools and training programme.

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Exceptions:

  1. U of N Seminars

  2. 1969-1978 YWAM School of Evangelism

  3. 1977-1986 GENESIS dicipleship training program

  4. 1988 - 2003 YWAM Mercy Ships DTS/CDTS

  5. DTS/CDTS Outreach Deferral

  6. Amnesty for Unregistered and Pre-U of N DTS/CDTS

  7. Transfer Credit for Unregistered YWAM DTS/CDTS

  8. Last Days Ministries

  9. Failure to do a DTS first

 

1. U of N Seminars

Persons may attend and accumulate up to twelve credits for U of N seminars prior to completing the DTS/CDTS, but only 6 seminar credits in any one course.

 

2. 1969-1978 YWAM School of Evangelism

Persons who have completed a 1969-1978 YWAM School of Evangelism (SOE) may have their SOE substituted as an equivalent course for this requirement, provided that it qualifies under the established amnesty credit policy and procedures.

 

3. 1977-1986 GENESIS dicipleship training program

Applicants who completed the GENESIS discipleship training program between 1977 and 1986 may be admitted to and provisionally receive credit for U of N courses under the ‘YWAM DTS/CDTS Transfer Credit Policy and Procedure' guidelines provided that:

a. The student supplies the necessary documentation on a "Historical Course Documentation Form" to the International DTS Centre Director.

b. the school meets the requirements for approval.

GENESIS participants prior to 1977, and after 1986, do not qualify for this policy exception and therefore cannot be considered for credit.

Transfer credit for non-registered YWAM schools will only be posted to the transcript if it is the final course for a U of N degree and is not transferable to another institution.

 

4. 1988 - 2003 YWAM Mercy Ships DTS/CDTS

Applicants who completed the DTS/CDTS, including both lecture and field assignment phases, at any of the YWAM Mercy Ships locations between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 2003 may be admitted to and provisionally receive credit for their DTS/CDTS based on the documentation provided by Mercy Ships to the U of N International Registrars Offices.

After December 31, 2003 , Mercy Ships training programmes are no longer connected to, nor registered with YWAM/U of N and therefore will not receive U of N credit.

 

5. DTS/CDTS Outreach Deferral

Deferral Policy: In rare instances it may be appropriate that a person who has completed the lecture course of the DTS/CDTS after December 31, 1991 may be allowed to temporarily defer their DTS/CDTS outreach for a period up to 24 months for reasons of health, personal/family emergency, leave of absence and other timing issues such as schooling for children, or other extenuating circumstances.

Deferral Procedure: Any deferrals must be approved under the following conditions:

  1. They obtain a written recommendation from their DTS/CDTS school leader/Director to have their outreach deferred, and

  2. The joint recommendation is approved by the local YWAM base Director a Council.

Specific approvals required to accomplish the deferral under this provision may vary depending upon the structure at each local base. However, the principle of a check and balance procedure which incorporates the DTS/CDTS school leader and culminates with the approval of the local YWAM base council should be followed.

Deferral Extension (for schools taken after December 31, 1991): In the event that the outreach is not completed within the two year time frame allowed, the person's) would have to retake the DTS/CDTS lecture phase unless permission was received from their DTS/CDTS school leader and the DTS/CDTS Director for an extension of time to complete the outreach, not to exceed an additional 6 month period of time.

Deferral Exception: If a person completed their DTS/CDTS lecture phase prior to December 31, 1991 without completing the field assignment/outreach phase, they will be required to complete a YWAM DTS/CDTS field assignment/outreach before continuing onto other U of N schools. This provision is without time limitations for schools taken prior to December 31, 1991.

 

6. Amnesty for Unregistered and Pre-U of N DTS/CDTS

  1. Applicants who have completed a DTS/CDTS, including the outreach, before December 31, 1991 which is not a U of N registered school, may be admitted to and provisionally receive credit for U of N courses under U of N amnesty policy guidelines as follows. Each applicant's DTS/CDTS will be reviewed under amnesty guidelines and evaluated for meeting the prerequisite minimum requirements: 11 week lecture phase and 8 week field assignment. If the prerequisite minimum requirements are not met for either the lecture or the field assignment phase, the student will be required to make up the deficiencies.

  2. For schools taken after December 31, 1991 any deficiencies will have to be made up prior to any credit being finalized and before continuing on to other U of N schools. If no programme deficiencies are determined to exist in either the lecture or field assignment, credits will be assigned and the prerequisite will be deemed to have been fulfilled.

Amnesty credit will be posted to the transcript only upon completion of all other U of N degree requirements and is not transferable to another institution.

 

7. Transfer Credit for Unregistered YWAM DTS/CDTS

Applicants who have completed a DTS/CDTS, including the outreach, after December 31, 1991 which is not a U of N registered school, may be admitted to and provisionally receive credit for YWAM courses under 'YWAM Transfer Credit Policy' guidelines as follows. Only students registered for a U of N degree programme may request transfer credit for non-registered YWAM DTS/CDTS and entry level SOE only provided that:

  1. the student supplies the necessary documentation on a "Historical Course Documentation Form" to the International DTS Centre Director.

  2. the school meets the requirements for approval.

Transfer credit for non-registered YWAM schools will only be posted to the transcript if it is the final course for a U of N degree and is not transferable to another institution.

 

8. Last Days Ministries

  1. Intensive Christian Training (ICT) conducted prior to September, 1991: Applicants who have completed Last Days Ministries' Intensive Christian Training (ICT) programme (prior to September, 1991) may attend U of N courses/schools after having satisfactorily fulfilled the provisions of the Last Days Ministries ICT/YWAM DTS equivalency policy.

  2. DTS between September 1991 and March 1994: Applicants who have completed the Last Days Ministries DTS (not the ICT) ; between September 1991 and March 1994 may apply to the International DTS Centre of the U of N to receive YWAM transfer credit upon completion of all necessary documentation, including verification by the school leader. Please refer to the document entitled YWAM DTS - CDTS Transfer Credit Policy and Procedure.

Credit will only be posted to the transcript only upon completion of all other U of N Degree requirements and is not transferable to another institution.

 

9. Failure to do a DTS first

Students who have inadvertently done YWAM/U of N schools before completing a DTS/CDTS (both lecture and outreach/field assignment phases) will not receive credit for those schools except in extremely rare instances. In those highly unusual situations, the student may submit a formal appeal to the International College/Faculty Dean. In most instances the appeal will stop at this point. Should the International College/Faculty Dean believe it to be a legitimate appeal, it is forwarded to the Provost, then to the President and then finally to the Board of Regents.

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