Overview
More Than a Song
Robust theological training, leadership strengthening and congregational shepherding are at the core of our 100 percent online Master of Arts in worship and leadership.
What does it look like to excel in music ministry today? How can worship leaders foster community and spiritual health among their worship teams and congregations? How can the act of worship allow for healthy lament, praise and adoration? In what ways can worship bring renewal?
A worship leader sets the tone at every service, inviting people to surrender, repent, praise, and receive hope. This requires prayer, planning and a willingness to follow where the Spirit leads. Flourishing in these skills takes training and practice as well as organizational and spiritual growth. Trevecca’s master’s program in worship and leadership—offered entirely online—can help you gain the theological understanding, administrative tools and practical skills you need to grow in your calling.
What to expect:
- The curriculum integrates a study of worship with coursework from our respected master’s program in organizational leadership. Students will deepen their understanding of theology while also improving their leadership capabilities.
- Examples of topics covered include worship ministry dynamics and relationships; worship in the Old and New Testament; spiritual formation; church leadership and contemporary issues in worship; personal leadership and development; organizational culture and change; strategic thinking; conflict management; and leading and building teams.
- The program is 100 percent online, with books and materials delivered to your front door. You’ll never step foot on campus! Finish the program in 18 months with a master’s degree in hand.
- Graduates will develop an e-portfolio curated throughout the program that can be used when applying for a new ministry position.
- The degree also equips students with the academic credentials needed to teach worship and/or leadership at the undergraduate level. Or, students can become qualified to serve in an executive pastor role.
Faculty
General Resources
News
Core Classes
Worship Ministry Dynamics and Relationships
MWL 5000
An examination of the various roles of the worship leader and how they relate to pastoral staff dynamics. Special emphasis will be given to the relationship between the worship leader and senior pastor. Also considered are the relationship dynamics between the worship leader and other staff members, as well as between worship leader and the congregation.
Worship in the Old and New Testaments
MWL 5010
An exploration of the understanding and practices of worship in the Old and New Testaments. Special attention is given to various shifts in how the people of God have understood God, the Church, salvation, and the church-culture intersection with respect to worship.
History of Worship in the Christian Church
MWL 5020
A study of worship in the early Christian church up to the present day with special attention given to the constants and transformations in Christian worship.
Theology of Christian Worship
MWL 5030
An exploration of the theological meaning and content of Christian worship and their implications for the practices of worship including Christian time, space, proclamation, prayer and scripture, and music, as well as evangelism and discipleship.
Spiritual Formation
PRA 5201
A study of the heritage, theology, and practices of Christian spiritual formation as means of grace from a Wesleyan perspective.
Worship Leadership and Contextualization
MWL 6070
An examination of diverse cultural expressions of worship. Students will gain skills in identifying and interpreting various contexts, raising practical theological questions within those contexts, and subsequently shaping Christ-centered worship. Special attention will be given to the development of new ministries, church plants, renewal of existing congregations, and multi-cultural worship.
Church Leadership and Contemporary Issues in Worship
MWL 6080
An examination of basic principles and models of leadership and administration specifically within the Christian Church. Special attention will be given to vision and guidance in navigating the local church including team building skills, the use of technology, and contemporary trends and issues related to worship.
Personal Leadership Development
MOL 5010
Leadership begins with self-leadership. Learners will examine the process of leading from the inside-out (their core). Helpful assessments and interactions such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, leadership lectures and presentations, and professional leadership consulting will guide students through the vital process of core leadership development, which follows this ongoing formula: Self-examination leads to self-awareness which leads to self-regulation. The insights developed in this area serve as the foundation for leading self and others.
Organizational Culture and Change
MOL 5105
Examines the various factors that influence the culture of an organization and focuses on the importance of utilizing an understanding of culture to build a well-performing organization. The course also explores effective means by which to implement change within organizations, both strategic and incremental.
Strategic Thinking
MOL 5130
Capstone Course
Focuses on developing the capacity of organizational leaders for strategic thinking. Topics include the conceptual frameworks of strategic thinking as well as practical applications to personal, professional, and organizational leadership. Strategic thinking will be integrated with the broader fields of strategy, strategy making, and strategic planning.
Conflict Management and Negotiation
MOL 5150
Assists learners in integrating the experiential and intellectual learning components of negotiation and conflict resolution. Learners examine sources of conflict between supervisors and subordinates, as well as between/among peers, with a focus on methods of resolving such conflicts for the betterment of individual, team, and organizational performance. Considerable emphasis will be placed on simulations, role-playing, and cases.
Leading and Building Teams
MOL 5300
Explores research, theories, and models of team performance, including the design and implementation of high-performance leadership in organizations. Assessments, simulations, and case studies are utilized by learners to gain further insight into personality styles, power and influence, trust-building, risk-taking, communication styles, motivational strategies, and team dynamics.
Program Details
Total Credit Hours
36
Program Length
18 months
Mode
Fully online
Additional Information
The primary objective of the program is for students to formulate a biblical and theological philosophy of worship. We seek to prepare students to engage in the following ways upon graduation:
- Evaluate the ministry needs in a worship ministry
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a balanced worship ministry
- Relate principles of organizational leadership to best worship practices
The e-portfolio
As part of the curriculum, students will develop an e-portfolio that can be used in future ministry opportunities such as applying for a new position or teaching. The Master of Arts in worship and leadership is the first Trevecca graduate program to feature a cumulative portfolio, which will include sample work from each course. It is designed to give prospective employers a greater understanding of the student’s abilities as it will showcase the individual’s collective best academic work in worship and leadership.
Locations/Modes
Online
For the past 20 years, Trevecca has offered fully online academic programs that allow students to earn their degree in a format that works for them. We understand life is busy and you may not have time to attend classes on campus. Whether you’re a working adult or simply live outside Nashville, we make it easy to focus on one class at a time, any time—24/7. Classes are taught online with books and materials delivered to your front door. Online students also benefit from a cohort model, where students begin and complete their degree alongside a group of other online classmates working toward similar goals.
With our digital programs, you can expect the same level of quality and rigor that Trevecca has provided students since its inception in 1901. Trevecca is committed to holistic education, encouraging students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. In 2016, the Carnegie Foundation classified Trevecca as a doctoral university, ranking it among the top 7 percent of schools nationwide. Regionally, the Nashville Business Journal named Trevecca as the fastest growing university in Middle Tennessee in 2019.
Outcomes/Careers
At Trevecca, we want to help you grow in your ministry calling. The Master of Arts in worship and leadership program is designed to equip you with robust theological training and leadership skills that will allow you to shepherd a congregation with organizational excellence and spiritual maturity. The degree is a great asset for those seeking to grow in their full-time role as a worship pastor or become an executive pastor. The program is also a great fit for those desiring to teach at an undergraduate level. Possible ministry paths include:
- Worship pastor
- Executive pastor
- College instructor/professor
- High school music director
Admissions
Getting Started
- Complete the online application (it's free!). No GRE or GMAT scores required
Need help applying? Read the step-by-step instructions here! - Fill out FAFSA to be considered for financial aid
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution
Admissions Requirements
- Have earned a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized regional accrediting agency or the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Students who do not meet these degree requirements may be conditionally accepted in accordance with the Conditional Admission Policy
- 2.5 cumulative minimum GPA for all prior coursework
- Provide photocopy of government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport). This requirement ensures that Trevecca complies with the U.S. Department of Education expectations for student verification.
If you feel you may not meet these requirements, please fill out the form on the right to be connected with an enrollment counselor.
Transfer credit
The number of transfer credit hours allowed is determined by the degree program requirements and is considered on a case-by-case basis. Transfer credit will be carefully evaluated by the program director/coordinator or advisor/appointee. Transferability will be based on specific criteria:
- The course is no more than 10 years old
- The course is relevant to the degree program
- The course was taken for graduate credit from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum grade of a B was earned in the course
- The applicant meets all entrance requirements for the program
Permission to take courses at other institutions while working on a graduate degree at Trevecca must be obtained from the dean of the school offering the program or the dean’s designee. Students can transfer a maximum of six credit hours.
Financial Aid & Costs
Worried about the future? We’ve got you covered!
At Trevecca, we understand we’re in unprecedented times. We believe you should be free to follow your dreams without fear. If you’re unable to complete a course due to COVID-19, we’ll refund the course cost to you. Full details can be found here.
How much will it cost?
| Tuition | Credit Hours | Program Length | Total Cost |
| $463/Credit Hour | 36 | 18 Months | $16,668 |
*$50 fee assessed per course. Books are not included.
How am I going to pay for it?
- Federal loans are available to all eligible students who complete a FAFSA.
- Employer tuition reimbursement opportunities are also an option.
- Monthly payments through Trevecca make fulfilling tuition requirements more manageable.
- Trevecca accepts military benefits such as Yellow Ribbon and GI Bills.
How do I qualify?
- Fill out your FAFSA. Based on your income, you will know how much federal financial aid you are eligible to receive.
- Talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement opportunities.
- For military benefits, contact the Academic Records Office at 615.248.1268.
FAQs
What are the technology requirements for the program?
Overview
More Than a Song
Robust theological training, leadership strengthening and congregational shepherding are at the core of our fully online Master of Arts in worship and leadership.
What does it look like to excel in music ministry today? How can worship leaders foster community and spiritual health among their worship teams and congregations? How can the act of worship allow for healthy lament, praise and adoration? In what ways can worship bring renewal?
A worship leader sets the tone at every service, inviting people to surrender, repent, praise, and receive hope. This requires prayer, planning and a willingness to follow where the Spirit leads. Flourishing in these skills takes training and practice as well as organizational and spiritual growth. Trevecca’s master’s program in worship and leadership—offered entirely online—can help you gain the theological understanding, administrative tools and practical skills you need to grow in your calling.
What to expect:
- The curriculum integrates a study of worship with coursework from our respected master’s program in organizational leadership. Students will deepen their understanding of theology while also improving their leadership capabilities.
- Examples of topics covered include worship ministry dynamics and relationships; worship in the Old and New Testament; spiritual formation; church leadership and contemporary issues in worship; personal leadership and development; organizational culture and change; strategic thinking; conflict management; and leading and building teams.
- The program is fully online, with books and materials delivered to your front door. You’ll never step foot on campus! Finish the program in 18 months with a master’s degree in hand.
- Graduates will develop an e-portfolio curated throughout the program that can be used when applying for a new ministry position.
- The degree also equips students with the academic credentials needed to teach worship and/or leadership at the undergraduate level. Or, students can become qualified to serve in an executive pastor role.
Looking for an alternative? The School of Music and Worship Arts also offers the Master of Arts in African American Worship Studies degree.