School of Church Music and Worship

Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership 

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Degrees / Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership

Introduction

The Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership (GCWL) provides world-class training rich in theology and is steeped in musical excellence with an eye always toward fruitful service in the local church.  Students will study both theology and worship leadership. 

The graduate certificate is designed as a ten-month program of study.  In addition to a core of worship theology, leadership, and service design, students select specific areas of study in congregational song, conducting, vocal ensemble leadership, worship ministry administration, or technology in worship to advance their expertise.  

Overview

  • Fully Online! Study from anywhere in the world.
  • Start date of January 2023
  • Cohort-based model with expected enrollment of 25 students
  • 12 credit hours; 5 courses delivered via 8-week online model
  • Complete in 10 months!

Program Fees

  • $4,940 for members of Southern Baptist Churches ($345 per credit hour plus enrollment/technology fees)
  • $9,080 for members of non-Southern Baptist Churches ($690 per credit hour plus enrollment/technology fees)

Admission Requirements

The applicant will complete the normal seminary application process for admission into the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  To begin your application, please click here:  https://swbts.edu/admissions/

Curriculum

Curriculum.  The GCWL curriculum consists of 3 foundational courses and 2 elective courses for a total of twelve hours of graduate coursework.  Each course is offered as an 8-week intensive that can be completed from anywhere in the world.

Required Foundational Courses 

  • WORSP 4323 The Church Gathered: Theology of Worship
  • SYSTH 3053  Systematic Theology I 
  • WORSP 4332 Advanced Dynamics of Worship Leadership and Design

Electives (select 2)

  • WORSP 4312 Philosophy of Worship Ministry 
  • WORSP 4222 Congregational Song
  • CONDG 4512 Techniques for Effective Choral Conducting
  • CONDG 4522 Techniques in Vocal Ensemble Leadership
  • WORSP 4242 Creating a Comprehensive Music & Worship Ministry
  • WORSP 4262 Technology and Media in Worship

Theological and Musical Rigor

Each course is carefully crafted to provide maximum training and interaction with the course material at a master’s degree level.  All courses completed in the GCWL are commensurate with the same courses contained in our gold standard degree, the Master of Divinity in Worship Leadership. 

The Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership is offered by the School of Church Music and Worship (SCMW) at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Learn more about the SCMW here.

All successfully completed courses in the GCWL can be seamlessly transferred to the following degrees in future years: