Worship Studies (D.W.S.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2023 through summer 2024. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical & Theological Studies Courses | ||
| WRSP 801 | Historical Developments of Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 810 | Biblical Foundations of Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 835 | Theology of Christian Worship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Worship Studies Courses | ||
| WRSP 820 | History and Practice of Congregational Song | 3 |
| WRSP 840 | Current Trends and Transitions in Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 845 | Philosophy of Music and Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 846 | Growth, Development, and Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| WRSP 851 | Planning and Leading Christian Worship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Elective Courses | ||
| Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
Choose from the following courses: WRSP 501 Principles of Worship and Ministry (3 c.h.), WRSP 502 A History of Worship Music (3 c.h.), WRSP 510 Biblical Foundations of Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 520 The Role of the Worship Leader (3 c.h.), WRSP 530 Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader (3 c.h.), WRSP 540 Current Issues in Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 545 Global Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 551 Building a Balanced Worship Ministry (3 c.h.), WRSP 631 Spiritual Formation for Leading African American Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 632 Emerging Issues in African American Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 635 Building a Theology of Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 641 Team Building in African American Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 645 The Role of the Pastor with the Worship Leader (3 c.h.), WRSP 671 God's People and the History of African American Worship (3 c.h.), WRSP 811 Principles of Ethno-doxology (3 c.h.), WRSP 812 Cultural Contextualization in Christian Worship (3 c.h.), or WRSP 997 Advanced Seminar in Worship Studies (3 c.h.)
- 2
Other Masters and Doctoral level courses which support the purpose of the Doctor of Worship Studies may be approved on a case-by-case bases by the School of Music Online Chair or School of Music Online Dean
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research Studies Courses | ||
| WRSP 880 | Introduction to the Thesis Writing Project | 3 |
| WRSP 888 | Thesis Project Proposal & Research I | 4 |
| WRSP 889 | Thesis Project Proposal & Research II 1 | 5 |
| WRSP 890 | Thesis Project Defense | 0 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in WRSP 890 Thesis Project Defense (3 c.h.) after completing WRSP 889 Thesis Project Proposal & Research II (3,5 c.h.) may be required, as determined by the student's thesis chair, to repeat WRSP 889 Thesis Project Proposal & Research II (3,5 c.h.) until deemed ready for enrollment in WRSP 890 Thesis Project Defense (3 c.h.)
All Applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 45 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 7 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| WRSP 801 | Historical Developments of Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 810 | Biblical Foundations of Christian Worship | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| WRSP 820 | History and Practice of Congregational Song | 3 |
| WRSP 880 | Introduction to the Thesis Writing Project 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| WRSP 835 | Theology of Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 846 | Growth, Development, and Spiritual Formation 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| WRSP 845 | Philosophy of Music and Christian Worship | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| WRSP 840 | Current Trends and Transitions in Christian Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 851 | Planning and Leading Christian Worship | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Elective 2,3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| WRSP 888 | Thesis Project Proposal & Research I | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| WRSP 889 | Thesis Project Proposal & Research II 4 | 5 |
| WRSP 890 | Thesis Project Defense | 0 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
Intensive Format optional
- 2
Choose from the following: WRSP 501, 502, 510, 520, 530, 540, 545, 551, 631, 632, 635, 641, 645, 671, 811, 812, or 997.
- 3
Other Masters and Doctoral level courses which support the purpose of the Doctor of Worship Studies may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the School of Music Online Chair or School of Music Online Dean
- 4
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in WRSP 890 after completing WRSP 889 may be required, as determined by the student's thesis chair, to repeat WRSP 889 until deemed ready for enrollment in WRSP 890