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online graduate

Worship and Leadership

Trevecca’s Master of Arts in worship and leadership equips students to be effective servant leaders and skilled local church practitioners. This interdisciplinary degree incorporates theological and leadership training, Old and New Testament principles for worship, concepts of conflict resolution and organizational management skills.

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Upcoming Start Dates:

Online:
Feb. 18, 2025
Apr. 1, 2025

Program Benefits

  • Complete your degree in 18 – 20 months.
  • Take one course at a time and enroll at your convenience.
  • Utilize a built-in support system and complete your degree alongside others who are working toward similar goals.
  • Enjoy the collaborative learning environments fostered by our innovative academic community.
  • Learn from a dynamic mix of faculty and leading educators, pastors, musicians, composers, theologians, artists and professional practitioners.

What to Expect

The Master of Arts in worship and leadership combines ministry training with thoughtful and practical ways to serve the local church. The curriculum spans worship theology, biblical studies, the history of worship and contemporary leadership dynamics. Through robust theological and leadership training, students learn how to create and cultivate a thriving community culture in the local church that encourages authentic worship and effective leadership. Other focal points include time management; team building; the pastor/worship pastor relationship; and leadership issues confronting the Christian church.

As part of the curricular experience, students develop an e-portfolio that showcases cumulative academic work from the program. The e-portfolio is designed to be a practical resource that enriches applications for ministerial roles throughout a graduate's career.

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

2024 #2 Online College in Tennessee, intelligent.comRecognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

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.

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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
Hours

36
Tuition Cost*

$16,668

*$150 Student Resource Fee assessed per course. $90 estimated book cost per course.

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:

  1. Submit an online application.
  2. 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.
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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 by showcasing the individual’s collective best academic work in worship and leadership.

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Career Opportunities

With a Master of Arts in worship and leadership, you’ll be ready to serve in roles like these:

  • Worship pastor
  • Bi-vocational worship leader
  • Teaching pastor
  • Administrative pastor
  • Worship and student pastor
  • College instructor in worship or leadership at the undergraduate level
  • Nonprofit leader/administrator

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.


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Cohort Schedule

View a sample schedule of the courses you will be taking when you enroll.

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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.
Credit Hours: 3
Worship in the Old and New Testaments
MWL 5010
An exploration of the understanding and practices of worship in the Old and New Testaments. Includes study of the Tabernacle and temple as models for worship, worship by the prophets, Jesus and early Christians, worship in heaven and Trinitarian worship.
Credit Hours: 3
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.
Credit Hours: 3
Theology of Christian Worship
MWL 5030
A study of the Biblical Theology of Worship and its relationship to the doctrines of redemption, priesthood of believers, Old and New Testament covenants, and eschatology. Attention is given to the student developing a practical worship theology, philosophy and methodology as applied to Christian graces, prayer, scripture, evangelism, and discipleship.
Credit Hours: 3
Spiritual Formation of the Worship Leader
MWL 5201
A study in heritage, theology, and practices of Christian spiritual formation as means of grace and applied to the ministry of worship leading.
Credit Hours: 3
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.
Credit Hours: 3
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.
Credit Hours: 3
Personal Leadership Development
MOL 5010

Exemplary leaders recognize that self-leadership is a prerequisite to leading others. Learners in this course examine personal leadership attributes, characteristics, and behaviors. Clifton’s Strengths Finder is used to provide learners an understanding of their strengths to unlock their potential, particularly as servant leaders. This foundation is used to develop learning strategies, a sense of Christian vocation, and the ability to anticipate professional opportunities.

Credit Hours: 3
Organizational Culture and Change
MOL 5105

This course examines the various factors that influence the culture of an organization and focuses on the importance of observing, defining, and measuring an organization’s culture to build and sustain a highly reliable system. It also explores effective means by which to implement change within organizations, both strategic and incremental.

Credit Hours: 3
Strategic Leadership
MOL 5130

This course covers topics relating to strategic leadership, such as creating a strategic business model, navigating change, and examining the significance of an organization’s purpose and vision while analyzing culture, ethics, global sustainability, and competitive advantages. This course serves as the culminating course in which students will demonstrate mastery in organizational leadership through a capstone project. The project is designed to build on real-world experiences by encouraging students to develop practical and creative solutions to actual problems experienced in today’s organizations. By applying ideas in each part of the capstone project, students will have an opportunity to think deeply about an organization and develop new strategies that can be directly applied in the future.

Credit Hours: 3
Leadership and Conflict Management
MOL 5150

Assists learners in integrating the experiential and intellectual learning components of communication and conflict management. Learners will examine sources of conflict with a focus on methods, application, and theoretical foundations to address conflict for the betterment of individual, team, and organizational performance. Select communication concepts will be integrated to aid in the overall understanding of organizational conflict.

Credit Hours: 3
Leading and Building Teams
MOL 5300

This course examines the processes involved in assessing, diagnosing, and improving teams within organizations. The role of followership and the leader/follower relationship will be explored through the lens of team development and collaborative leadership. Case studies, assessments, and diagnostic tools will be used to examine, from a global perspective, the development and functions of various teams types (i.e., virtual, cross-cultural, and self-directed).

Credit Hours: 3

Choose a Track

Performance and Pedagogy
TRACK
Applied Graduate Music
MWL 6010
Applied study through vocal or instrumental lessons offering comprehensive instruction of performance techniques, emphasizing the cultivation of technical prowess and musical proficiency through the study of appropriate repertoire. Credit Hours: 3
Graduate Music Pedagogy
MWL 6200
Students study materials and techniques for teaching beginning and intermediate music students of various ages in class and private lesson settings. Students also explore issues relevant to the advanced performer, such as handling performance anxiety, physical and psychological well-being, and concerns related to advanced technique. Includes a segment on technological tools and pedagogical models that address practical issues for primary, secondary, and college classrooms. Special attention is given to teaching group lessons at the college level. Provides practical experience under faculty supervision. Credit Hours: 3
Graduate Lecture Recital
MWL 6720
This is a faculty supervised, 55–60-minute lecture recital program. The student must demonstrate the ability to conduct or perform appropriate repertoire for 50 percent of the recital. The student must demonstrate the ability to lecture about their selected repertoire for 50 percent of the recital. Preparation of the recital must demonstrate completion of a serious, formal research paper that documents the repertoire selected, historical information about composers and songwriters, and rationale for stylistic representation. Credit Hours: 3

*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.

“I learned to engage in beautiful, tough topics – all through the framework of the gospel – in order to help those in my church do the same.”

Jacob Bell Trevecca graduate

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