Advanced Master of Divinity in Worship Leadership

The Advanced Master of Divinity with a Concentration in Worship Leadership is an accelerated professional degree program for students who have a baccalaureate or Master of Arts degree in religion or biblical studies.

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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/Pre-requisite Courses
20400 Elementary Hebrew (if required) (3)
22400 Elementary Greek (if required) (3)
40650 Worship Assessment1 (0)
Biblical and Theological Studies 24
20440 Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis or 3
22440 Greek Syntax and Exegesis
26200 Southern Baptist Heritage and Mission 3
27800 Theology of the Old Testament 3
27820 Theology of the New Testament 3
40150 Personal Spiritual Disciplines 3
Church History Elective2 3
Systematic Theology Elective2 6
Apologetics, Ethics and Philosophy Elective2 3
Missions, Evangelism and Ministry 18
28700 Christian Apologetics 3
32100 Personal Evangelism 3
32960 Introduction to Missiology 3
33820 Introduction to Church Planting or 3
36550 Introduction to Church Revitalization
34300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling 3
40080 Christian Leadership 3
Worship Leadership Concentration 27
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
Worship and Music Electives3 9
Total Advanced Master of Divinity in Worship Leadership Requirements 72
Elementary Hebrew (if required) +3
Elementary Greek (if required) +3
40375 Advanced MDiv Thesis Research and Writing4 +2

1Students 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.

2Introductory courses such as 25100, 25120, 27060, 27070, 27080, 28500, and 29250 do not fulfill the elective requirements.

3Students 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.

4Students interested in pursuing the thesis option must consult with the Billy Graham School office and take 40375.

Admissions Requirements

Students who are interested in this program must consult the Billy Graham School Department Chair for Biblical Worship.

The Advanced Master of Divinity with a Concentration in Worship Leadership is an accelerated professional degree program for students who:

  • Have a baccalaureate or Master of Arts degree in religion or biblical studies.
  • Have at least a 3.0 college grade point average.
  • Have completed at least six hours at the introductory level in Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Church History, and Systematic Theology (or five hours at the introductory level plus three hours at an advanced level in each of these subjects).
  • Have submitted an acceptable 12-20 page research paper.
Next Steps

Be equipped for higher levels of musical and theological excellence.

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Southern Seminary hosts a Preview Day each Spring and Fall – attendees are automatically entered to win a $1000 scholarship.

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