Online Doctor of Worship Studies Degree Develop Your Craft in Music
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
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.
What Will You Study 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.
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This DWS program falls under the School of Music.
- View the Graduate Music Course Guides (login required).
- View the Thesis Handbook for more information about the integrated thesis project.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online 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.
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
Degree Options for our DWS Degree
Liberty University is pleased to offer several specializations in our Doctor of Worship Studies program. Check out the specializations below!
Generalized Track (No Specialization)
Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Worship Studies – generalized track* is designed to help you bring your congregation closer to God by giving you the tools needed to create thoughtful, theologically enriched worship based on biblical truth.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
*Please note that this is not a specialization. Any reference using the term “General” is the main degree and is only used to differentiate from other specializations.
Ethnomusicology
Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Worship Studies – Ethnomusicology provides cultural music study designed to enrich your ministry and provide inroads to missions. This program is useful for increasing your global marketability and preparing you to meet the needs of your diverse congregation.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Leadership
Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Worship Studies – Leadership pairs training in leadership and management with in-depth research that is designed to help take your ministry to the next level. Graduate with advanced theological training, knowledge of effective worship principles, and leadership skills that you need to stand out in applicant pools.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Pastoral Counseling
Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Worship Studies – Pastoral Counseling emphasizes the practical application of worship studies and godly counseling to your ministry. This program is designed to equip worship leaders and counselors to meet the spiritual needs of congregations while providing meaningful, spiritually nourishing worship.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
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 the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online DWS Degree Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited Master of Music degree or its equivalent with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Consideration will be given to those without an M.A. or M.S. in Music; however, additional graduate-level coursework may be required upon admissions, such as worship and theology classes.
- Submit a Statement of Purpose – Applicants are encouraged to take time to develop a well-written, 1,000 to 1,500-word statement, which answers the following questions:
- How has your previous education and/or work experience prepared you for doctoral studies at Liberty University?
- What is your goal with regard to pursuing a doctoral education at Liberty University?
- Please describe the character and values you possess that will help you succeed in your desired field.
- The Statement of Purpose can be attached or written out in an email and submitted to luoverify@liberty.edu.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,700 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate of $395/credit hour.
Eligible current and former service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more), but the $300/credit hour doctoral military rate cannot be combined with the First Responder Discount.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a final project in this program?
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.
Is Liberty accredited?
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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