M.A. in Worship
Program Overview:
The Department of Ministry prepares men and women to be effective Christian leaders, pursuing personal spiritual formation and modeling global mission in both the church and society. Our graduates serve as pastors to large and small congregations, teachers both internationally and domestically, directors of multi-faceted organizations, consultants to various ministries, and more. Amidst the varied career paths, all graduates share one, common characteristic - a commitment to making an impact in their world.
The 36- unit Master of Arts with an emphasis in Worship is for worship leaders in congregations of all sizes. It integrates theological studies of worship, with the very practical elements of effective worship leadership. It gives attention to the arts (drama, dance, visual arts) in addition to the usual elements (vocal, instrumental, technical production, etc).
Three core values are stressed within the program.
- We value effective leadership, and are committed to equipping Christians with the theological base and professional skills necessary for leading effectively.
- We value the mission with which Christ charged His Church and believe that a heart for this mission is foundational for the church's health.
- We value personal development, believing that effective long-term leadership is not merely skill-based, but emerges from character, particularly the servant-character of Christ.
The MA program is available completely online or through “Blocks”. Students may choose to complete the program in either format or through a combination of both.
Online Program
Students may choose to complete their program through our interactive, online program. Classes are offered in a traditional semester format with online learning including watching/listening to lectures, discussion threads with professors and students and much more.
Block Schedule
"Blocks" are 8-day on campus intensives with face-to-face classroom participation integrating biblical/ theological, professional, and personal development. "Blocks" are 6 or 9 units and are followed by ten weeks of 33-40 hours of online of experience together.
A Block includes classes that are coordinated to cover a particular subject area. Some examples of blocks include:
- Balancing Marriage, Family & Ministry
- Building Effective Teams
- Spiritual Formation of the Emerging Leader
- Exegetical Method & Biblical Tools
- Conflict Management in Ministry
- Worship Ministry Development
One may complete the program in as little as two years but not take more than six years. Pre-requisite courses that are deemed necessary (if there is an absence of formal biblical or theological training) are offered as full online courses.
In consultation with an academic advisor, the program may also be tailored to suit calling, gifting, prior learning and ministry experience.
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking entry into the Master of Arts degree program must normally submit the following:
- Completed application form with non-refundable $75.00 fee. (fee waived for Hope alums)
- Official transcript(s) from an accredited university or college confirming completion of an undergraduate degree and any completed graduate work. Applicants desiring to be considered for waiver or transfer or prerequisite courses must submit relevant transcripts indicating graduate level courses or undergraduate courses respectively with a satisfactory grade of B or better.
- Two completed reference forms sent to the School of Graduate Studies Admissions office.
- A statement of purpose approximately 250 words indicating your reasons for entering the program of choice.
Probationary acceptance may be granted if other factors give evidence of the applicant's ability to successfully complete a program. The probationary status will be removed when the student has successfully completed nine semester units with a 3.0 G.P.A. or better.
Applicants seeking entry into the Master of Arts degree program in ministry without an undergraduate degree may qualify for admission if they have a minimum of 7 years of full time ministry experience. Initial acceptance will be provisional and admissions numbers are limited.
Graduation Requirements
Prior to graduation, students must complete a Portfolio Project, which serves as the major program assessment tool for the Master of Arts degree. Requirements for the Portfolio Project may be obtained from an academic advisor in the Department of Ministry. In addition, students must complete a Petition to Graduate and a Transition Interview.
Curriculum
Block Structure & Content
- Each Block has four main components.
- An 8-day intensive residential learning experience
- Reading and research
- Writing
- 10 weeks of online interaction with a group of peers and the Coordinator
- Each Block may be taken for either 6 or 9 semester units, at your discretion in consultation with your academic advisor. If the Blocks are taken for 6 units instead of 9 units, you will have opportunity to supplement your program (total 36 units) with other coursework.
- The residential component of Blocks generally starts on a Thursday and concludes the following Thursday.
- Each Block is complemented by an online experience over a 10-week period. The Block Coordinator usually facilitates this online work.
- Each Block is an integrated learning experience, built around three main components - biblical and theological development - 40%; professional development - 40%; personal development - 20%.
- Each Block involves fifteen Track options, from which students choose five.
- The Blocks stand as independent experiences, not as prerequisites for Blocks to follow.
The Blocks are the centerpiece of our program. You will need to decide, based on your life commitments and demands, whether to take a Block for 6 or 9 units.
The Internet
The Internet is a strategic part of the Master of Arts program. We use it .
- To provide full online courses related to the program;
- To provide "e-Companion"® support to the Blocks which are taught;
- To facilitate networking and an e-community between you and other students;
Full Online Courses:
Each year we offer a selection of full online courses. These courses:
- Allow further concentration, if you want additional work in a particular area;
- Supplement units you earn through Conferences and/or Seminars, to make up unit deficiencies in a given program;
- Enable you to continue your studies if you missed a Block for some reason;
- Provide the prerequisite courses you may need;
- Provide course availability to students in other graduate programs - eg. MFT and MBA;
The online courses are all 3 units in length. You may choose to take up to 50% (18 units) of your program in this mode (in addition to the prerequisite courses). Offerings include:
BIB5000Q Principles in Bible Survey (3 units)
BIB5010Q Principles in Theology and Hermeneutics (3 units)
BIB6440Q Matthew: The Kingdom Among Us (3 units)
CDY5420Q Preaching That Connects (3 units)
CDY5710Q Building and Sustaining Effective Teams (3 units)
ECC5460Q The Church: Past, Present, and Future (3 units)
ICS6350 Cultural Anthropology for Ministry (3 units)
ICS6900 Research Design & Project (3 units)
THE5450Q Lectio Divina: Readings in the Classics (3 units)
THE5600 Reasons Institute: Creation v. Evolution (3 units)
THE5610 Reasons Institute: Creation and the Bible (3 units)
THE5620 Reasons Institute: Critical Thinking Skills (3 units)
THE5630 Reasons Institute: World Religions and Science (3 units)
