What Is a Worship Ministry Bachelor of Arts Degree?
The BA in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Worship Ministry program at GCU prepares students for careers in worship leadership and ministry. The worship ministry emphasis allows GCU students to focus on the creativity, artistry, musical ability and performance aspects of ministerial leadership.
Graduates who earn this degree in worship ministry develop an important foundation of biblical and theological knowledge. They are also capable of songwriting and arranging as well as leading worship and musical performance.
The basis of the worship ministry Bachelor of Arts degree program is theology and spiritual formation. The emphasis in worship ministry coursework focuses on a number of engaging topics, including:
- Musical direction
- Music theory for contemporary worship
- Songwriting
- Musical arrangement
- Sound recording
- Training in piano, voice, guitar and percussion
Gain Musical Direction Skills and Knowledge
The GCU worship ministry Bachelor of Arts degree coursework ensures a well-rounded program theological education and emphasizes musical direction for contemporary worship. This means that graduates learn the fundamentals of music theory, have the ability to write and arrange songs and record music. Training is developed in several instruments as well as an emphasis in a primary performance instrument. Additionally, GCU’s Center for Worship Arts has a recording studio for music production.
Prospective students of the worship ministry degree are required to audition for the program. This ensures that students have sufficient musical skill and aptitude to be successful with this particular emphasis.
Students get real world practice as they participate in a variety of worship-related ensembles throughout the degree program. Graduates must complete a capstone internship. This experience provides GCU students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge under the supervision of experienced worship leaders in local ministry settings.
Graduates from the BA in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Worship Ministry have chosen to follow paths to nurture their creativity and artistry.
Pursue Your Passion to Impact Others With a BA in Worship Ministry
The BA in worship arts – emphasis in worship ministry degree program instills the musical ability, ministerial skills and theological knowledge for students to lead in Christian organizations. Graduates can continue their creative paths by following many different career paths.
Some grads have gone on to be music directors with such titles as:
- Artistic Director
- Choir Director
- Children's Choir Director
- Conductor
- Handbell Choir Director
- Music Director
- Music Minister
- Music Ministries Director
- Worship Arts Director
A BA in worship arts – worship ministry program will lead you on a path to support others with your strong belief system and creative genius. Join us in the Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Worship Ministry degree program at GCU.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- INT-244, World Religions: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This is an introductory course in music theory. Topics include music notation, key signatures, scales, intervals, modes, diatonic relationships and functions, and chords; ear-training skills are also included in this course. Co-Requisite: WSA-209.
Course Description
This course introduces the text of the Old Testament with emphasis on the biblical narrative, genres, major historical periods, and theological themes.
Course Description
This course develops melodic and rhythmic awareness within a contemporary style. Students in this class learn to perform and notate rhythm patterns using basic note values and basic melodic formations using the movable DO solfege system. Aural identification of intervals and interval qualities is also included. Co-Requisite: WSA-215.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
This course involves students in a guided practicum experience in which they work collaboratively to compose music, create media, and develop a production for worship ministry while engaging in spiritual formation. Students interact with faculty, mentors, and practitioners who focus on worship ministry, worship songwriting and arts, and worship production. This course emphasizes collaboration in songwriting.
Course Description
This course introduces interactive media productions, web design, and motion graphics in worship ministry. Students explore the purpose and practice of media in worship. Students learn to optimize media resources in churches of various sizes. A practical survey of settings is included.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of WSA-215. Topics include larger chord forms, chord functions in major and minor keys; chord substitutions; analysis of key centers in song writing, voice leading, and melody harmonization; pentatonic, blues, and other scales and their applications, chord tones, and harmonic extensions; scale foundations for all major, minor, dominant, and diminished chords; and their application to contemporary worship music. Ear-training skills are also included in this course. Prerequisite: WSA-215. Co-Requisite: WSA-309.
Course Description
This course introduces the text of the New Testament with emphasis on the biblical narrative, genres, major historical periods, and theological themes.
Course Description
This course covers principles of songwriting in the context of contemporary worship music. Contemporary styles, popular song forms, chord progressions, and formation of melodic ideas are explored. Coverage of effective lyric writing includes developing song ideas, the hook, rhyme scheme, and the use of literary devices. Students develop a portfolio of songs for worship and spiritual formation in a variety of forms and styles.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of Aural Skills I. Students in this class continue to perform and notate increasingly difficult rhythmic patterns and note values, and perform and notate increasingly complex melodies in a variety of major and minor diatonic keys. Aural identification of simple and compound intervals and chord qualities, and analysis of extended song forms is included. Prerequisite: WSA-209. Co-Requisite: WSA-315.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
This course involves students in a guided practicum experience in which they work collaboratively to compose music, create media, and develop a production for worship ministry while engaging in spiritual formation. Students interact with faculty, mentors, and practitioners who focus on worship ministry, worship songwriting and arts, and worship production. This course emphasizes collaboration in media design.
Course Description
This course is a study of theological methodology and the doctrines of revelation, God, humanity, sin, and the person of Jesus Christ with emphasis on the biblical bases for each doctrine.
Course Description
This course addresses worship philosophy, modes, methods, and other issues concerning the role of music in worship. The course explores the historical and contemporary use of music in worship, and its various roles in discipleship, witness, inspiration, and exaltation across the continuum of history and cultures.
Course Description
This course covers principles of songwriting and arranging in the context of contemporary worship music. Contemporary styles, popular song forms, chord progressions, and formation of melodic ideas are explored. Coverage of effective lyric writing includes developing song ideas, the hook, rhyme scheme, and the use of literary devices. Students develop a portfolio of songs for worship and spiritual formation in a variety of forms and styles. Prerequisite: WSA-105 or WSA-110.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
This course involves students in a guided practicum experience in which they work collaboratively to compose music, create media, and develop a production for worship ministry while engaging in spiritual formation. Students interact with faculty, mentors, and practitioners who focus on worship ministry, worship songwriting and arts, and worship production. This course emphasizes collaboration in production.
Course Description
In this course, students collaborate in small contemporary musical ensembles to develop skills in performing, arranging, rehearsing, and critiquing a worship band for a contemporary worship set for a church's main worship service.
Course Description
This course introduces the student to standard methods of arranging, using grooves and melodic lines. Students arrange elements of music for contemporary music bands for a variety of instrumental and vocal combinations. The use and integration of MIDI and DAW technology as an arranging tool is introduced. Prerequisite: WSA-215.
Course Description
This course is a study of theological methodology and the doctrines of the works of Jesus Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and last times with emphasis on the biblical bases for each doctrine.
Course Description
In the spirit of Colossians 3:16, this course explores the relationship between the gospel of Christ, the life in Christ, and worship in the Christian community. Students are encouraged to reflect on biblical patterns of worship and praise as well as contemporary expressions as they develop understanding and habits related to personal and corporate worship.
Course Description
This course sets the foundation for understanding concepts in sound theory, sound system operation, and sound system design. In this course, students learn foundational principles in audio production. They will leverage this knowledge in all other classes that require interaction with recording software, sound equipment, music production, and ear training. Students begin to understand the cultural significance of technology in the modern worship environment.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of the foundation laid in Arranging I. This course adds the arrangement of strings, brass, and woodwind combinations to fill out a complete orchestration in contemporary style. Two-, three-, four-, and five-part combinations of instruments are arranged over standard songs structures. Extended vocal arrangements are explored. Prerequisite: WSA-305.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
This course involves students in a guided practicum experience in which they work collaboratively to compose music, create media, and develop a production for worship ministry while engaging in spiritual formation. Students interact with faculty, mentors, and practitioners who focus on worship ministry, worship songwriting and arts, and worship production. This course emphasizes collaboration skills and skills related to worship ministry.
Course Description
In this course, students collaborate in small musical ensembles to develop skills in performing, arranging, and rehearsing a worship band for contemporary acoustic worship settings. Special attention is given to preparing and critiquing worship sets for Sunday worship experiences that involve the exclusive use of acoustic guitars, other stringed instruments, hand-drums, and vocals.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course is a systematic study of the biblical, historical, and theological dimensions of Christian worship. Emphasis is placed on the development of a thoroughly biblical theology of worship, analysis of historical developments that influenced current worship practices, and the ways that worship forms community and shapes individual worshipers. Prerequisites: HTH-201 and HTH-202.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
This course provides class instruction for students with limited or no previous piano training. Instruction includes the study of piano technique and is designed to prepare worship leaders to perform with basic piano skill and to understand strategies of keyboard playing in worship ensembles. Various keyboard techniques and performance styles are explored, with an emphasis on popular music genres.
Course Description
In this course, students collaborate in small musical ensembles to develop skills in performing, arranging, and rehearsing a worship band for contemporary worship settings in a variety of traditional and contemporary styles. Special attention is given to preparing and critiquing worship sets for seasonal worship events (e.g., Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter), weddings, funerals, and other special services of the church.
Course Description
This course equips students to be effective worship leaders who integrate worship within a community of faith and lead God's people in faithful worship. This course develops skills for effective leadership, administration, and pastoral care within the local church and other worship gatherings. Prerequisite: WSA-322.
Course Description
This course in private applied vocal study concentrates on vocal technique and repertoire for the contemporary Christian musician.
Course Description
In this course, students collaborate in musical ensembles of various sizes from duets to choirs to develop skills in performing, arranging, and rehearsing a vocal ensemble and accompaniment for worship settings that incorporate traditional hymns and choral styles of worship. Special attention is given to preparing and critiquing worship sets containing choral pieces, traditional hymns, metrical psalms, and Taizé.
Course Description
This course offers students experience in planning and producing all aspects of a worship event. Throughout this course, students work collaboratively to complete a worship arts project and to prepare to seek employment in ministry. Prerequisite: 90 credit hours.
Course Description
This course covers the principles and skills necessary to lead worship. Topics include auditioning a worship team, selecting worship sets, working with a vocal and instrumental team, as well as stage presence, and worship leadership. Students work on a final worship presentation demonstrating practical knowledge of planning worship and/or concert experiences. Prerequisites: WSA-330 and WSA-423.
Course Description
This course provides class instruction for students with limited or no previous guitar training. Instruction includes the study of guitar technique and is designed to prepare worship leaders to perform with basic guitar skill and to understand strategies of guitar playing in worship ensembles. Various guitar techniques and performance styles are explored, with an emphasis on popular music genres.
Course Description
This writing-intensive course systematically studies the biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations of Christian ethics as compared with other ethical systems that shape public discourse on ethical issues. Emphasis is placed on personal morality and an exploration of contemporary issues relevant to the Church’s public witness.
Course Description
This course consists of an internship experience in an approved professional setting. The course includes reinforcement of all program competencies, practical experiences, academic journaling, as well as a field experience log, and culminating reflection assignment. Students should begin the internship application process after completion of 80 credit hours in the program. Practicum/field experience hours: 180. Prerequisites: WSA-423, WSA-321, and HTH-330.
Campus
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview. New modern classrooms, suite-style residence halls, popular dining options, resort-style swimming pools and a focus on creating a dynamic student life make GCU a top choice for high school graduates and transfer students. Exciting events, well-known guest speakers and Division I athletics round out the traditional student experience. Our welcoming campus community is the perfect place to find your purpose.
* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length .
On-campus program disclosures (4 years)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.