Master of Arts in Worship Leadership

The Master of Arts in Worship Leadership is a professional degree program that prepares men and women for specialized ministry in local church worship leadership. This degree is designed to provide students with a solid background in biblical studies combined with practical experience in the field of worship leadership.

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Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to…

  • Demonstrate a growing, Christ-like character and a sense of God’s calling to ministry.
  • Understand the Christian worldview and have a global vision for fulfilling the Great Commission.
  • Demonstrate significant knowledge of the Bible, interpret Scripture’s original meaning, and apply Scripture to contemporary situations.
  • Integrate systematic and historical theology into a larger biblical framework.
  • Demonstrate competence in worship leadership.
Program Requirements

Note: Continuing students should consult the Academic Catalog for the year in which they started for course requirements as the current requirements may have changed.

Contact the Student Success Office with questions.

Remedial/Prerequisite Courses
40650 Worship Assessment1 0
Master of Arts Core Studies 30
20200 Introduction to the Old Testament I 3
20220 Introduction to the Old Testament II 3
22100 Biblical Hermeneutics 3
22200 Introduction to the New Testament I 3
22220 Introduction to the New Testament II 3
26200 Southern Baptist Heritage and Mission 3
27060 Systematic Theology I 3
27070 Systematic Theology II 3
27080 Systematic Theology III 3
32100 Personal Evangelism 3
Worship Leadership Concentration 24
40200 The Worshiping Church 3
40605 History of Christian Worship and Song 3
40610 Worship Ministry as Discipleship 3
40615 Guiding the Worship Ministry 3
40620 Worship Leadership and Design 3
40625 Leading Worship Ensembles 3
40650 Worship Assessment 0
40679 Worship Portfolio 0
Worship and Music Electives2 6
Thesis Track (optional)3
Total Master of Arts in Worship Leadership Requirements 54
Thesis Research and Writing (optional) +2

1Students in their first semester will have assessments in music theory, ear training, sight singing, and conducting. Students showing deficiencies in a skill will be required to take 50001 Worship Musicianship I and/or 50002 Worship Musicianship II. These courses may be counted as Worship and Music Electives.

2Students may choose from the following 3 hour or 1 hour electives: 40606 The Psalms and Christian Worship, 40635 Technology for Music & Worship Ministry, 40670 Songwriting for Worship Leaders, Private Music Study (1), or Worship Ensemble (1) with a max of four semesters.

3Students interested in doctoral studies have the option, in consultation with the department chair for Biblical Worship, to take the following courses: 25100 Introduction to Church History I and 25120 Introduction to Church History II and 40699 Thesis Research and Writing.

Next Steps

Be prepared to lead the church in the praise of God's glorious grace.

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