African American Worship Studies
The Master of Arts in African American worship studies combines ministry training with thoughtful and practical ways to serve the Black church. This pioneering program equips students to serve in a variety of worship-related ministry roles through its focus on spiritual formation, discipleship, ministry application, team building, personal disciplines, theology and leadership principles.
Trevecca’s Master of Arts in African American worship studies equips worship leaders with insight and tools to encourage, engage and edify the African American church, combining effective worship ministry training with practical ways to serve.
Program Benefits
- Complete your degree in 18 months fully online.
- Continue to work and focus on your other priorities while earning your degree, taking one course at a time with all materials delivered to you.
- Utilize a built-in support system and complete your degree alongside others who are working toward similar goals through Trevecca’s cohort model.
- Become equipped to excel in a variety of worship-related ministry roles through the program’s strong theological background.
- Learn from a dynamic mix of faculty and leading African American educators, pastors, musicians, composers, theologians and artists who possess distinguished degrees and valuable real-world experience.
What to Expect
The Master of Arts in African American worship studies curriculum spans worship, theology, biblical studies, the history of African American worship and modern worship dynamics. Through robust theological training, you’ll learn how to foster a culture where healthy worship is understood and regularly practiced. Other focal points include time management; the pastor/worship pastor relationship; current issues confronting Black churches; God’s kingdom and human imagination in African American worship; and articulating and implementing worship philosophies and ministry strategies.
As part of the curriculum, you’ll also develop an e-portfolio that showcases your cumulative and best academic work from the program. The e-portfolio is designed to position you competitively by giving potential employers a solid understanding of your education, experience and abilities.
Why Choose Trevecca?
Founded in 1901 and as a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca has been recognized nationally and locally for providing students with the highest level of academic quality and rigor. We offer a holistic education focused on the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual health of all the students in our diverse student body.
This degree is offered through Trevecca’s Center for African American Worship Studies, led by Dr. Stephen Newby, an accomplished composer, worship leader and musician with more than 20 years of experience.
Course Descriptions
Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.
Financial Aid & Costs
Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.
Here’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.
Here’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.
Cost/Credit Hour$463 |
Hours36 |
Tuition Cost*$16,668 |
*$100 tech. fee assessed per course. Books are not included.
- Admissions
- Program Specifics
- E-portfolio
Admission Requirements
Trevecca Nazarene University assesses the Graduate Worship applicants on the basis of evidence submitted via application documentation. Applications will be processed upon receipt of all required materials. To be admitted into one of the Graduate Worship programs, an applicant must meet these requirements:
- Submit an online application.
- Have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All hours from regionally accredited institutions will be considered in calculating the cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit one official transcript from the college or university where the bachelor's degree was conferred. Transcripts should be sent by mail or fax to the Admissions, Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Road, Nashville, TN 37210.
The purpose of this program is to equip worship practitioners already serving as musicians in African American churches in the areas of spiritual formation, discipleship, ministry application, team building, personal disciplines, theology and leadership principles. We seek to prepare students to engage in the following ways upon graduation:
- Articulate a worship philosophy and ministry strategy for the African American worship community based of biblical, theological foundations of worship.
- Synthesize principles of critical contextualization applicable to current issues confronting worship leaders in the African American tradition.
- Develop literature and research methodologies applicable to worship professionals in the African American worship tradition.
- Evaluate ministry needs.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a balanced worship ministry.
As part of the curriculum, students will develop a cumulative e-portfolio that can be used in future ministry opportunities such as applying for a new position or teaching. The portfolio 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.
Career Opportunities
With a Master of Arts in African American worship studies, you’ll be equipped to serve in multiple ministerial, directing, or teaching roles like these.
- Worship pastor
- Administrative or associate pastor
- Children’s or student ministry director
- Multimedia church pastor
- Student worship pastor
- Orchestra director
- High school music director
- Parachurch worship ministry director or staff member
- College instructor/professor (undergraduate level)
Many students choose to bridge to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program and earn their doctoral degree in education after completing this program.
Course Descriptions
Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.
