Music (Worship Studies), M.M. (32 hrs)

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Program Overview

The Master of Music (M.M.) in worship studies program provides an opportunity for church music professionals to perfect musicianship and to enhance specific expertise in the field of worship studies. The program supports and advances the mission of William Carey University, which is to provide quality professional education programs within a caring Christian academic community, encouraging the individual student to develop his or her highest potential in scholarship, leadership, and service.

NASM Standards

In compliance with the standards of NASM, the program provides substantial development in the student’s major area through courses in research, advanced studies in the major field, and support courses. A variety of elective courses provides students the opportunity to enhance particular musical and professional skills. The program requires advanced study in music theory, history, and literature.

Distance Learning

All courses for the M.M. in worship studies degree will be available synchronously and asynchronously.

Breadth of Competence

The requirements for the M.M. in worship studies degree affords each student an opportunity to expand competencies in performance, music, and worship skills, investigate trends in worship, and develop research skills appropriate to the field of church music and at least one major area of study. Students will have the opportunity to study with faculty who are practicing experts in their respective fields of study.

Graduate Outcomes

The program seeks to enhance the field of church music by preparing program participants to meet the following outcomes:

Demonstrate a biblically-informed approach to church music work and planning.
Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of church music history on modern practices and choices related to literature selection.
Improve musical excellence in the church music environment.
Improve personal awareness and application of best practices through identification and consideration of relevant research.
Improve individual artistry as it relates to the student’s emphasis area.

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements stated in the graduate catalog, entrance into the M.M. program in worship studies is based on the following requirements:

Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in music and must provide official transcripts as documentation.
Entering students must have a GPA > 2.75 over the last 64 credit hours of coursework.
Students must submit an essay of no less than 500 words describing learning and professional goals.

Program Progression and Graduation Requirements

Continuance toward degree completion is based on the following requirements:

The degree requires a minimum of one academic year.
Students must complete all required coursework within a period of six years from the date of enrollment into the program.
Students must complete a minimum of 32 hours in the M.M. degree in worship studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of 11 hours of a major area;
- Students must complete a minimum of 11 hours in other studies in music; and
- Students must complete a minimum of 10 hours in an emphasis area (worship ministry, conducting, performance, or technology).
- Students may take electives as desired.
All students will complete comprehensive review exams in their major area.
All students will complete a final project (thesis, documented recital, lecture recital, or documented performance project) based on the specific major area of study. Final projects must be approved by the student’s graduate committee.

Program of Study (32 hrs)

Major Area (11 hours)

Other Studies in Music (11 hours)

MHL 6100 - Survey of Music History 3 hrs
MUT 6100 - Survey of Music Theory 3 hrs
MUC 6000 - Research and Writing in Church Music 3 hrs
Select 1 course.
MCC 5070 - Applied Conducting 2 hrs
MHL 6490 - Directed Study in Music History 2 hrs

Emphasis Area (10 hours)

Emphasis area options include: worship ministry, choral conducting, instrumental conducting, performance, or music technology. For all emphasis areas the following course is required:

MUC 7800 - Final Project In Church Music 2 hrs