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Modern worship leaders are empowered to faithfully lead and minister to their Christian communities amidst a changing world while remaining grounded in biblical truths. Worship leaders guide congregations in praising the Lord, often through psalms and related musical arrangements. If you feel called to use your talents to serve God and your fellow Christians, consider applying for Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Worship Leadership program.
Offered by the College of Theology, this degree program is designed to prepare you to pursue various roles in church leadership and in the mission field. Knowledgeable and faithful instructors will guide you in deepening your understanding of Christian doctrine while you explore the application of theological principles.
On campus, enjoy face-to-face lectures and academically spirited discussions with your peers and instructors while accessing the wide scope of campus activities and amenities that GCU offers. As an online ministry leadership student, you will work through the same curriculum as our on-campus students and be taught by qualified instructors.
GCU strives to make Christian education as accessible as possible to a diverse student body. This religious studies degree is available through online classes via our intuitive e-learning platform. Connect to your coursework and instructors from virtually anywhere and complete your degree with greater convenience.
Immerse yourself in the full college experience as an on-campus student in the College of Theology. GCU’s campus in Phoenix is an oasis in the desert, bringing together like-minded Christians who desire to grow closer to God and live in accordance with His Word.
Christian studies students benefit from the academic and spiritual guidance of well-qualified instructors. Within our faith-based learning community, you will have opportunities to gain a thorough understanding of matters pertaining to Christian doctrine and biblical truths.
Along with the core Christian studies courses, the worship leadership emphasis courses are designed to prepare you to become an effective communicator, ethical servant leader and critical thinker. You will be encouraged to develop your own Christ-like character as you examine the leadership skills necessary to inspire others to know and love God.
In this program, you will begin with an in-depth look at the Old and New Testaments, examining the biblical narrative, genres, theological themes and major historical periods. Additional courses in theological methodology, biblical basis for Christian doctrine and biblical interpretation and application prompt you to develop a solid framework for building a career as a worship leader.
The program examines a range of historical and contemporary approaches to worship and encourages you to engage in self-reflection regarding your own character and leadership style.
Other core competencies include the following:
The BA in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Worship Leadership program can provide a flexible learning path with the potential for a diverse range of career applications. Worship leaders are important members of the Christian community. During your studies, you will be taught how to develop a solid framework of biblical and theological knowledge and how to apply that knowledge within various worship settings, including the church, mission field and other Christian organizations.1
This degree program can provide the basis for advanced study in theology. You may choose to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree from the Grand Canyon Theological Seminary, which may further expand your career opportunities.
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university that encourages our students to live in accordance with biblical principles. The Higher Learning Commission has accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Theology shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
GCU has compiled the following FAQs and answers to help you explore your religious studies career and degree options more thoroughly.
A worship leader is typically responsible for connecting with the congregation and leading them to draw nearer to God. Worship leaders may provide spiritual guidance and lead Bible study and faith formation groups, and they may counsel members of the congregation who are experiencing challenging circumstances.
The leadership and ministry program is deeply rooted in the Christian faith. As a private Christian university, GCU’s mission is to encourage our students to embrace the Christian worldview and live according to biblical principles. This degree program combines general education coursework with worship leadership courses designed to graduate skilled communicators and ethical servant leaders.
There are many skills and qualities that effective worship leaders can benefit from, including the following:2
There are no universal requirements to become a church leader, although specific qualifications may be established by the religious organization seeking to hire a worship leader. Many church leaders, such as religious directors, hold a bachelor’s degree and some may go on to earn a graduate degree.3 A bachelor’s degree, such as a Christian studies degree, can provide opportunities for you to develop a greater understanding of God’s message, as well as soft skills like communication and leadership.
Prepare to step into leadership within the Christian community with a degree in Christian studies from GCU.
1 Indeed Editorial Team. (2022, June 24). 10 Bible Degree Careers To Consider Pursuing. Indeed. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
2 Vanco. (2022, April 22). 11 Church Leadership Competencies Faith Leaders Must Have. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
3 Career One Stop. (n.d.). Directors, Religious Activities and Education. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
