Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Worship Ministry
Overview
Serve in Worship Arts and Ministry
Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts with an Emphasis in Worship Ministry provides a well-rounded theological education in worship leadership and ministry with a deep connection to Christian songwriting, technical direction and production. Students will further develop production skills in media, lighting and sound. The worship ministry degree, within the College of Theology, sets students on a fulfilling path to pursue their passion in creating meaningful worship services through gospel-centered, artistically rich performances. Students will also cultivate Christ-like character and nurture the ability to minister with wisdom and sensitivity, while serving the local church and other Christian worship environments.
Outside of the classroom, students have opportunities to work with industry experts, worship leaders and academic scholars. These individuals may serve as mentors who support the exploration of the leadership, production and technical aspects of worship arts with a foundation in biblical knowledge. Also, GCU’s Center for Worship Arts offers a recording studio with cutting-edge features for music production, original recordings and carrying out artistic talent.
Degree Outcomes
Follow Your Calling in Worship and Music Leadership
Students who chose to deepen their worship arts knowledge with an emphasis in worship ministry will nurture their creativity and artistry. This worship arts degree program specialty comprehensively instills the musical ability, ministerial skills and theological knowledge for students to lead in Christian organizations. Then as Christian leaders, graduates can continue to follow their purpose in coordinating and leading corporate worship and songwriting, as well as arranging musical performances.
What You Will Learn
Gain Musical Direction Skills and Knowledge
Throughout the course of the worship ministry degree, students will engage in the following areas:
- Musical direction for contemporary worship
- Fundamentals of music theory for contemporary worship
- Songwriting and arranging
- Sound recording and reinforcement
- Training in piano, voice, guitar, percussion and a primary performance instrument
Career Outcomes
Pursue Your Passion to Impact Others
Upon graduating from this music ministry degree program, students will be prepared to delve into their careers after completing a required capstone internship. This experience provides students with diverse opportunities to apply their knowledge and continue to cultivate worship ministry skills as they’re led by worship experts in local ministry settings. Students also participate in various worship-related ensembles throughout the program, which further fosters the professional preparation to make an impact in local ministries, churches and Christian organizations.
Course List
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 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
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 credits
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4 credits
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 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
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 credits
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
- INT-244, World Religions: 4 credits
- PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
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. Prerequisites: WSA-205 or WSA-110, WSA-315, and WSA-309.
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 or WSA-122, 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. Practicum/field experience hours: 180. Prerequisites: WSA-423, WSA-321, and HTH-330.
Program Locations
Campus
* 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 (48 months)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.