
MA in Music and Worship – Commercial Music Performance
Fine-tune Your Talent with Liberty’s Music and Worship Master’s Degree
It’s time to take the next step in your journey toward a career in music and worship. Consider graduate studies if you have obtained a bachelor’s degree in music but recognize the need to stand out in the competitive music industry. Our Master of Arts (MA) in Music and Worship – Commercial Music Performance allows you to train under industry professionals with state-of-the-art equipment in preparation for your future and goals.
Whether your passion is to serve as a worship leader or you have a dream of performing as a contemporary Christian artist, this graduate degree helps provide you with tools and experience to make a name for yourself in the field. Develop your specific musical talent while receiving career and spiritual guidance from our experienced music faculty.
Our School of Music is one of the largest in the nation. We are excited to offer innovative degrees and remain faithful to our Christian beliefs. Get ready for a master’s degree that can help prepare you to give your life to the Lord through music and worship.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025

NASM Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of Our Master’s in Music and Worship Degree
Hands-On Experience in Music Production
We offer exceptional opportunities for our students, including our 2.2 million dollar state-of-the-art recording studio and songwriting labs.
In partnership with the Michael W. Smith Center for Commercial Music, students also have the opportunity to have their original music published before they graduate!
Join a Program with Industry Recognition
Our students have produced albums that have been nominated for awards, with Liberty alumni going on to become Dove award-winning Christian artists and songwriters.
World-Class Steinway Pianos
You can have the opportunity to refine your musical talent in a premier academic environment, as we are proudly designated as an “All Steinway” school.
With access to industry-leading Steinway pianos for practice, performance, and instruction, you can develop your skills on the same instruments used by top musicians worldwide, preparing you for excellence in your musical career.
Unmatched Campus Life
Get involved in over 100 student-led clubs, NCAA Division I athletics, and exciting campus events that create a vibrant and dynamic college experience.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with a Commercial Music Performance Master’s Degree?
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Music and Worship with a specialization in Commercial Music Performance can help prepare you to pursue the following occupations:
- Contemporary Christian artist
- Director of worship and drama
- Minister of music
- Music and worship evangelist
- Worship leader or pastor


#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in Our Music and Worship in Commercial Music Performance Master’s Degree?
The core curriculum of our music and worship degree allows you to analyze the historical differences in music literature and practice from the Old Testament through the modern period. As you study advanced music theory, you will also study how to apply various melodic concepts and music forms to contemporary worship, including jazz and extended harmonies.
Choose our commercial music performance concentration. You will complete various graduate ensemble courses where you will experience and participate in events, concerts, and professional development opportunities with many different styles of music. Additionally, these classes help prepare our graduate students for presentations and events throughout the semester.
You will also take private lessons specializing in your specific talent, whether voice, guitar, piano or a woodwind instrument. You will also develop strong conducting skills and an understanding of how to teach principles in music and worship.
Featured Master’s in Music and Worship Degree – Commerical Music Performance Courses
MUSC 589 – Graduate Ensemble
WMUS 515 – Graduate Conducting for the Worship Leader
WMUS 550 – Applied Music
WRSP 501 – Principles of Worship and Ministry
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Music
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Commercial Music Performance Master’s Degree?
Step Into the Music Industry Before Graduation
At Liberty University, your education goes beyond the classroom. As a student in one of the largest music schools in the nation, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the commercial music industry well before you walk the stage at graduation. With access to numerous rehearsal rooms and cutting-edge audio and lighting technology, you’ll have chances to hone your craft in a professional setting. You’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate with Liberty Music Group (LMG) – our very own music publishing and recording company – giving you a head start in the business side of the industry.
Study Under Proven Industry Professionals
When you choose Liberty for your graduate studies in music and worship, you’ll hear from professors who bring both academic excellence and real-world expertise. Our full-time faculty members have earned degrees from Liberty as well as other top music schools, and they’re committed to mentoring students through every step of their journey. Their personal investment and industry knowledge have helped launch the careers of countless alumni who’ve gone on to tour nationally and perform with artists like Carrie Underwood, TobyMac, and Keith Urban.
Join a Legacy of Success
Liberty’s School of Music is more than a place to earn a degree – it’s a launching pad for a potentially fulfilling career. Our alumni network includes award-winning artists, songwriters, worship leaders, and producers who are making a lasting impact across the music industry. Through practical training and professional connections, we want you to be positioned to follow in their footsteps and make your own mark on the world of commercial music.
Prepare for More Than Just a Job
A graduate degree in music and worship from Liberty isn’t just about credentials – it’s about preparation for a career with purpose. We desire for you to graduate not only with skills to secure a position, but with experience, confidence, and network to thrive in the ever-evolving world of commercial music. At Liberty, we don’t just strive to prepare you for a job – we work to prepare you for lasting success.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Master’s in Music and Worship Degree – Commercial Music Performance Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited B.S., B.A., or B.M. in music, music education, music and worship, or an equivalent field with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account

Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.