Master of Arts in Worship - Frequently Asked Questions

The M.A. in Worship is designed as a post-baccalaureate degree to prepare persons for assuming positions of competent leadership in the worship ministries of their faith communities. Normally the M.A. in Worship is a two-year program, combining background theological studies with a concentration of study and field experience in worship. The program may also be taken on a part-time basis.

  1. Who is the degree designed for? What will the degree equip me for? First, the degree is designed primarily for those who are currently serving or hope to serve local congregations in staff positions related to worship ministry. Often these positions have titles like "worship coordinator" or "director of worship." Though the degree does not offer courses in musical skills, it provides an invaluable theological education for musicians hoping to work in congregations in positions with titles like "pastoral musician," "Director of Music," or "Director of Fine Arts."
    Second, students who complete the degree will also be qualified to serve in organizations, publishing companies that provide and develop resources for congregations and support congregational worship in other ways. Many churches are searching for a worship leader as worship becomes a critical component in their outreach efforts.
    Third, because the degree includes coursework in several area of ministry, as well as a comprehensive introduction to biblical and theological studies, graduates will be well qualified for staff positions in other area of ministry, teaching assignments in Christian non-profit organizations, retreat centers, or schools. Elective courses can add further qualifications in the area of church education, youth ministry, evangelism, and church administration.
    In addition, some applicants may enroll in the program simply because of the spiritual nourishment and personal growth the degree can provide.
  2. Job Search Resources Prospective students can research potential jobs at the following websites:
    http://www.ministrysearch.com
    http://www.churchstaffing.com
    http://www.churchjobs.net
  3. Does this degree allow me to consider further study at the doctoral level? Because this is a graduate degree from an accredited seminary, the M.A. can be a stepping-stone to advanced academic study in theology, including liturgical studies. However, students who are actively considering Ph.D. work should strongly consider the M.T.S. or M.Div. degree at Calvin Theological Seminary (students can still take many of their elective courses in the area of worship). The M.T.S. and M.Div. degrees offer courses based on original biblical languages and at a more advanced level-which are desirable for graduate schools, and provide more in-depth training for advanced academic work.
  4. What particular skills will I learn in this degree?
    1. Courses in worship will teach skills in worship planning and leading, as well as offering an overview of the field of worship and liturgical studies.
    2. Courses in other areas of ministry will develop skills in teaching, pastoral care, evangelism, and church administration that are invaluable for all forms of work in congregations.
    3. Courses in Bible, history, and theology provide necessary foundations for all these areas of ministry, and teach the kinds of aptitudes, skills, and resources that are very helpful for working collaboratively with pastors and other ministry professionals.
  5. What role does music and the other arts play in the degree? Music and other art forms play vital roles in congregational worship. Nearly every worship course includes discussions about both helpful principles for sound music, study of promising musical repertoire. This is a particular focus of "music and the arts in Christian worship." Further, all students are encouraged to participate in the Calvin Theological Seminary choir, and can receive course credit for two years of participation in that ensemble.
    The degree does not include a formal music cognate, or award credit for private musical study. Musicians are encouraged to apply for the degree, and to continue private study of musicals skills in keyboard, composition, organ, conducting, or other instruments, during their time at the seminary. Seminary worship faculty can recommend qualified local teachers in each of these areas.
  6. Why no auditions? Students do not need to audition for this degree program. The program is designed more to teach students about leadership, worship planning. Students generally will come with a wealth of musical background, and this program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the church.
  7. Structure of the program - full-time or part-time? The program is designed to be completed over a two-year timeframe, assuming full-time enrollment. Most of the courses meet only one day per week allowing for part-time enrollment as well.
  8. Field Education Students will learn not only through their course work but also through field education. Calvin Theological Seminary will assist students with finding placements for field education and lead students through a thorough experience so that they can test the skills they are learning.
  9. The Master's Project The purpose of this project is for students to pull together all that they have learned and formulate a theology of worship. Students will research and explain their view of worship and how various forms and functions are involved in worship.
  10. What are the strengths of the degree as I compare it to other similar degrees? First, this worship degree offers a broader base of biblical, historical, and theological courses than most comparable degrees.
    Second, this degree features at least six courses in worship. These courses features a strong theological and pastoral orientation that will develop skills and aptitudes.
    Third, the degree offers in depth exploration of a Reformed perspective on worship, while offering significant exposure to other Christian worship traditions.
    Fourth, because of the collaborations with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, studies in this program will put you in touch with emerging publications, research, and learning from a variety of congregations and traditions.
  11. How many of my classes will include just students in this degree program? Very few. Most of your classes in Bible, history, theology, will include other students in M.A. program. Most of your classes in worship and ministry will include students in the M.Div. or M.T.S. programs. This diversity is very helpful for most ministry staff positions, whether in congregations or organizations, are based on models of close collaboration. The diversity of students in these courses, who come with unique perspectives and questions, provide helpful windows into the unique challenges and resources of these areas of ministry.
    Students will learn through these courses how to discuss music and worship within non-worship contexts and with people who may not have the same musical and worship background as they do. In other words, the courses will prepare students for leading in a real-world context.
    There will be times for gathering with people with particular interests in worship, including regular worship colloquia sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
  12. What style of worship will the degree provide training in? The degree is not oriented to any one style of worship. In many classes at Calvin Theological Seminary, there are students from several countries, from both new and established congregations, from both contemporary and traditional congregations, small and large. The goal of the worship courses are to explore the deep biblical and theological themes and practices that should be present in any style, and learn from effective ways in which leaders in a variety of congregations are accomplishing that today.
  13. What is the relationship between this degree and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship? The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is not a degree-granting entity, and the M.A. is offered solely under the auspices of the seminary.
    The Worship Institute does, however, provide significant resources for students in the M.A. program, including regular colloquia on topics related to worship planning, several educational workshops, lectures, and conferences, including the annual Calvin Symposium on Worship.
    In addition, several Worship Institute staff serve as professors, adjunct professors, and guest presenters in seminary courses.
    The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship provides many resources, books and articles to assist people in planning worship.