Wayland Baptist University's School of Music and School of Christian Studies are collaborating to offer a new degree that combines music with ministry. The new Bachelor of Arts in Worship Studies degree is designed for professionals preparing to lead corporate worship.
Students will receive the practical training necessary to enter the profession either as a full-time or bi-vocational church employee. They will also have the foundational studies necessary to pursue an advanced degree in seminary if they desire.
The new degree is a joint effort between academic schools, attempting to answer the needs and serve the interests of students. In recent years, students seeking ministry degrees have expressed a desire to pursue music as well. The new degree also is offered in response to the trend of small churches seeking individuals who can "wear multiple hats."
In presenting the degree summary to Wayland's academic council for approval, Dr. Ann Stutes, Dean of the School of Music, said the degree is a natural fit for the populations Wayland serves.
"We began to see a holistic marriage between what students wanted to study and the prevalence of this new type of 'generalist' church professional," Stutes said.
Students will spend two years acquiring content and honing performance skills. They will then apply musical concepts and craft in the context of biblical studies, theological studies, and Christian ministry training. Wayland is currently enrolling students for the new degree that opens in the Fall.
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