Master of Arts in Worship Studies (M.A.)
(Non-Music Degree)
Purpose
The Master of Arts in Worship Studies is a 42-hour non-music graduate program that provides students opportunity to study and practice:
- context-specific biblical and theological competencies in worship;
- worship theories practical to the local church; and
- career-specific principles as applied to leadership, worship techniques, Pastoral counseling or ethnomusicology.
The goal is to develop student knowledge and expertise to excel in a variety of worship cultures and contexts within the evangelical community.
Program Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- Create a worship strategy based on biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations of worship.
- Synthesize principles of critical contextualization for application to current issues confronting worship leaders in the evangelical tradition.
- Evaluate literature and research of the discipline for application to the professional practices of worship leaders in the evangelical tradition.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission procedures, applicants to the Master of Arts in Worship Studies program must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of an earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education e.g., SACS, TRACS, ABHE, etc.).
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Applicants with a GPA of 2.00 to 2.99 (on a 4.00 scale) may be considered for admission on Academic Caution.
- TOEFL Scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper –based test; 250 computer-based test, 80 internet-based test).
Transfer Credit
Transfer students will be required to submit transcripts for evaluation as per the normal process established by the University. Students may transfer a maximum of 21 hours of coursework from an accredited institution. In order to be eligible for transfer, course work must have a minimum grade of C-, and must have been completed within the past 10 years. Credits from a degree on the same academic level previously earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the other regulations governing graduation, graduates of the Master of Arts in Worship Studies program must meet the following requirements:
- Complete 42 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.
- Required 2.00 GPA.
- For information regarding the repeat policy, please refer to “Course Repeat Policy” in the Academic Information and Policies section of this Catalog.
- Degree must be completed within 5 years.
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date.
- Choir director
- Director of international worship ministries
- Director of worship ministries
- Minister of music
- Missionary
- Professor
- Program director for contemporary worship
- Vocational worship leader
- Worship pastor
This course involves a study of the dynamic influences of personal, biblical, historical, professional, and practical worship to the corporate ministry of the local church. Application is made to the presentation and influence of singing, praying, preaching, evangelism, and the great modern revival movements on corporate worship in the church today. Graduate students complete a personal assessment that relates honest, genuine, unhindered, and biblical worship to their own responsibility to music, prayer, evangelism, preaching, and corporate ministry.
Offered: Resident and Online
This is a study of the history of worship from the Old Testament, the early church, through the modern period. Emphasis is given to changes in worship practices resulting from the Reformation, the Great Awakenings, revival movements, large evangelistic crusades of the 1940s and 1950s, Jesus Movement, and the Praise and Worship movement.
Offered: Resident and Online
A study of the principles of worship as found in the Old and New Testaments. Includes study of the Tabernacle as a model of worship, worship in the lives of biblical characters, and the biblical roots of worship practices developed by the early church.
Offered: Resident and Online
A study of the many and varied roles and relationships of the worship leader. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between the worship leader and the pastor. Also considered are the relationships between the worship leader and other staff members, singers/instrumentalists, and the congregation.
Offered: Resident and Online
A study of the characteristics and responsibilities of a good leader as they relate to the worship leader. Planning, organizing, staff development, and decision-making are topics of consideration.
Offered: Resident and Online
A study of the current trends and issues related to contemporary worship. Consideration is given to various worship models, worship evangelism, cross-cultural issues, and church worship in transition.
Offered: Resident and Online
A study of worship as observed in biblical examples. Scriptural principles regarding worship are applied to the life of the individual and to individual responsibility in the corporate worship experience. Emphasis is on building a theological orientation for interculturality by understanding the nature of worship as the foundation for building interdependent relationships in the kingdom of God.
Offered: Online
This is a course that looks at the various roles the worship leader holds within the mandates of the overall church mission. Consideration is given to the worship leader's relationship to the local church education and discipleship programs, missions and evangelism outreach ministries, preaching and teaching ministries, women's and men's ministries, children, youth and young adult ministries, and creative arts ministries.
Offered: Online
This course deals with the Biblical foundations for leading African American worship. Included in the study are practical lessons related to God's mandate for worship, integrity and accountability, calling, worship and spiritual obedience, leadership and authority, relationships and Christian graces, discipleship and stewardship, refreshing the soul, and balance in ministry. Students complete a major research project and design a model for "praxis worship formation" experiences.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course focuses on the cultural, social, inter-generational, and ecclesiastical issues surrounding worship in the black evangelical church community. Issues surrounding social norms and values, inter-generational relationships, reconciliation and multiculturalism, role of the worship leader and the family and the diverse issues in the worshiping community are investigated. Students complete a major writing project based on collaborative research.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course is a comprehensive study of the purpose and practice of a theology of worship in the local church. The study is divided into two parts: Cognitive theology that includes the understanding and discovery of a biblical theology of worship and music; and, practical application of theology which includes developing a strategy for teaching theology as a worship leader. The class is guided by a series of projects whereby students build a personal theology for private and public worship.
Offered: Resident and Online
This course deals with principles for team building in the African American worship tradition. Studies include, but are not limited to: working as a pastor/worship leader team, leading from the "second seat," organizational management, conflict resolution, principles for developing people skill and personnel management. Students complete a capstone research project and professional practitioner interview.
Offered: Resident
This is a study of the relationship between the pastor and minister of music/worship leader in a local church. Clarification of the biblical role a pastor has as "the worship leader" of his congregation is discussed. Responsibilities pastors and ministers of music/worship leaders have to the gospel ministry are defined and articulated. Leadership models are investigated in the light of team building and staff management. Practical application is made through class and small group case studies, interviews, on-location observations, and personal evaluation.
Offered: Resident and Online
Introduction to research methodologies in preparation for completion of the capstone project in worship and music studies.
Offered: Online
This course documents the history of African-American worship through the black experience. Studies include: Africa and its People, The Middle Passage Period, 1750-1890 (Heritage, Colonization, Slavery and the quest for freedom - How God brought this people to this place in History), 1890-1960 A New Age Part 1, 1960-1990 A New Age Part 2, and, 1990-Present - The Way Forward/A New Millennium. Students develop a timeline tracing the African-American worship experience and participate in a capstone research project.
Offered: Online
This course is only for students who have not made sufficient progress so as to demonstrate they will be able to complete the thesis or project within the time frame required in WRSP 690: Master's Thesis/Project Defense.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: WMUS 692
The thesis is a comprehensive paper written in a specific worship discipline and selected in consultation between the student and approved faculty. It should illustrate a thorough understanding and mastery of research techniques and demonstrate a level of original discovery suitable for graduate work on the master's level. The final document should also reflect the ability of the student to integrate the various facets of course preparation to practical research in the field of music and worship.
Note: Any student who will not be able to complete and defend his/her thesis in the course of a single semester may be required to take WRSP 689 - Thesis Proposal and Research, and repeat the course each semester until deemed ready for enrollment in WRSP 690.
Offered: Resident and Online
Designed for the advanced student in good standing who has demonstrated an ability to work independently. The student will work with the instructor in developing a proposal for guided research in a specified area of worship.
Offered: Online
This course focuses on advanced worship practice within the evangelical and local church community. Student and faculty will work together to develop and tailor assignments to each student's individual preference, professional goals, and objectives for future practice as a worship leader. A major project illustrating the student's ability to apply learned theory to the practical outcomes of a local church is expected.
Offered: Resident and Online
WRSP 698 - Worship Practicum (Apprenticeship) (1 to 3 hours)
Prerequisite: WMUS 692
Requires 9 - 12 months of supervised experience in an approved worship ministry. Internships are awarded to students receiving an invitation from one of the approved ministries participating in the "LU Worship Department Graduate Mentoring Program." The student is to submit a proposal for internship placement one semester in advance and approved by the Chair of the Graduate Program. "Special consideration is given to student giftedness, talent, leadership skill and spiritual maturity as related to local ministry needs. At the conclusion of the internship, the student must demonstrate completion of a serious, formal research paper that documents how the internship promoted formational, transformational, relational, missional, and reproducible worship in their own ministry.
Registration Restrictions: Completed application to the Coordinator of the Graduate Program
Offered: Resident and Online