Doctor of Worship Studies Online Degree Program
0
Credit Hours
Degree SACSCOC
SACSCOC
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
May 13, 2024
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC

Help Promote a Biblical Understanding of True Worship with Liberty’s Doctor of Worship Studies Degree

Are you in search of an advanced degree that can help you lead church services? Perhaps you’re a musician who wants to gain a better understanding of how to use your church’s music for the glory of God, or maybe you’re a worship pastor seeking in-depth study of the theology of worship. If so, Liberty’s 100% online Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS) degree may be for you.

Liberty’s DWS degree program is designed to equip you with the tools you need to create thoughtful, theologically enriched worship that is rooted in biblical truth. This degree adds a biblical emphasis to the musical knowledge you developed during your graduate music or music ministry degree. If you have a passion for leading worship services, let us help you harness your passion for worship and bring your congregation closer to God.


Why Choose Liberty’s Online Doctor of Worship Degree?

Whether you currently serve in a worship ministry leadership role or want to start your own music ministry, our online Doctor of Worship Studies degree can help equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Our doctorate in worship program emphasizes the practical application of worship studies to the ministry field. Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of distinction can help set you apart from others in your field.

This degree program offers theological, philosophical, and practical training based on the demands of 21st-century evangelical worship. You can be challenged by professional studies at the doctoral level that seek to expand your skill set, knowledge, and expertise in a variety of music and worship cultures and contexts. With the hands-on practicum, optional on-campus intensives, and integrated thesis project, you can prepare to apply your worship studies training to solve real-world ministry problems and create sincere, impactful worship opportunities.

If you are looking for a doctoral degree designed for worship pastors, our online DWS program can help provide the training you need to grow your ministry and be respected in your field.

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.


What Will You Learn in Our Online Doctor of Worship Studies Degree Program?

Our online DWS degree builds on your previous music ministry and biblical studies experience to help you develop a sound foundation rooted in worship theology. In our online Doctor of Worship Studies degree program, you can study the methodology and theology of worship — allowing you to gain a true grasp of the practice of worship. In addition, you can learn about the foundations and history of corporate worship, explore the cultural and contextual nature of worship, and learn skills that can help you address a variety of congregational needs.

You can gain hands-on experience through optional, on-campus intensive courses. These intensives are excellent opportunities for you to network with peers and meet professors who lead our school of worship and music. Our Doctor of Worship Studies – General online degree program can also help you apply your studies to real-world ministry settings through a worship self-study and apprenticeship practicum — allowing you to evaluate your current ministry or seek mentorship under an experienced worship minister.

All of our courses are designed and delivered in a way that seeks to help you analyze and develop your research for the final thesis project, which focuses on a ministry topic of your choice. Your thesis project can provide evidence of your expertise and offer you direct access to mentorship and guidance from Liberty’s experienced music ministers and worship professionals. Apply today and learn to solve specific and practical problems in your ministry.

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Degree Information
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Admission Requirements

Our Online Doctor of Worship Studies Program Highlights

  • We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online Doctor of Worship Studies degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
  • Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years — and counting.
  • You can complete our online Doctor of Worship degree in as little as 2.5 years.
  • You will complete an integrated thesis project that can demonstrate your expertise and ability to apply advanced worship theology and Christian scholarship to practical worship ministry problems.

Our Online DWS Degree Information

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Potential Careers with a Doctorate Degree in Worship Studies 

Our online Doctor of Worship Studies degree seeks to prepare you to serve in administrative roles, such as the chair of a department of worship, a coordinator of worship studies, or a worship pastor at a church. Preparing worship leaders for personal success is not the only goal of our online Doctor of Worship Studies program. Completing this degree can help prepare you to teach the next generation of music ministry students and help open up opportunities for you to teach at the collegiate level.

Upon graduation, you could pursue the following roles:

  • Music and worship instructor
  • Professor of worship studies
  • Worship coach or analyst
  • Worship counselor and advisor
  • Worship pastor
  • Worship theologian

Admission Requirements for Our Online DWS Degree Program

A regionally or nationally accredited Master of Music or its equivalent with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information. 

All applicants must submit the following:

  • Admission application
  • Application fee*
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Official college transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required. 

General

Ethnomusicology

Leadership

Pastoral Counseling