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Associate of Arts in Worship Ministry

This program of study facilitates an understanding of the Old and New Testaments with an emphasis on exegesis using advanced hermeneutics and various exegetical resources.

Solid biblical training from accomplished faculty with years of ministry experience.

Worship Ministry students are required to participate in local-church worship-team practices and church services at designated times each week of the semester. Distance education and online students will complete this worship-team requirement at a local church within each of their own communities.

Worship Ministry students must also pay a Worship Practicum fee for each Applied Instrumental Techniques course that they take. For the 2021-22 year, this fee is $300 per Applied Instrumental Techniques course (12-15 vocal or instrumental lessons per course). For each A.I.T. course, students may specialize in one area or complete a combination of two. It is strongly recommended that students take only one Applied Instrumental Techniques course per semester.

All students, both on-campus and distance education, who intend to enroll in the School of Worship Ministry must audition with the program director either in-person or digitally. In addition to the 61 credit hours of academic studies, students are required to fulfill the Leadership in Action requirement.

Objectives
  • Equip the student with the tools to communicate clearly and effectively.
  • Give the student a sense of preparedness by providing practical worship ministry experience.
  • Equip the student to integrate Christian principles into critical thinking and decision-making in one’s personal and/or professional life.
  • Give the student a working knowledge of Biblical concepts of worship ministry to meet the needs of diverse audiences/targeted age groups and organizational settings.
  • Equip the student to integrate a Biblical worldview into the practice of worship ministry and leadership.
  • Give the student an understanding of music theory and application within a worship ministry context.
  • Equip the student with an understanding of historical and Biblical models of worship ministry with their implications for the contemporary context.

Time & Cost

Many people would like to complete a degree and stay out of debt. 

The A.A. Worship Ministry degree requires 20 courses + Student Orientation (or 61 credit hours), which can be completed in 2 years for full-time students. Courses are offered on-campus or online (can be entirely online).  Manna U’s low tuition rates enable students to receive solid biblical training from accomplished faculty with years of ministry experience and not be hindered financially.

2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Tuition Rate

$220 per credit hour

Fees

Scholarships are available for students who do not use military education benefits or federal financial aid.

Courses

Full details can be found in the 2022-2023 Graduate Academic Catalog.

Leadership in Action

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
LIA 101Leadership in Action (Four Semesters)Pass/Fail

Student Orientation

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
ENG 107Undergraduate Student Orientation1

Bible & Theology Nonelectives

Students Must Complete All Twenty-One Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
BIB 100Destiny and Calling3
BIB 101Old Testament Survey3
BIB 103New Testament Survey3
BIB 104Hermeneutics3
BIB 201Writings of John3
THE 101Introduction to Theology3
THE 301Kingdom of God3
Total Credit Hours:21

 

English Nonelectives

All Students Must Take ENG 111 & ENG 112

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
ENG 111College Writing3
ENG 112Research and Writing3
Total Credit Hours:6

Math or Science Elective

Select Any Three Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
MTH 211College Mathematics3
MTH 230Introduction to Statistics3
SCI 310Biology3
Total Credit Hours:3

Personal Formation Nonelectives

Students Must Complete All Six Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CLG 201Spiritual Formation3
LEA 220Mentoring and Coaching3
Total Credit Hours:6

Ministry Electives

Select Any Twelve Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
PHL 120Philosophy of Leading Teams3
WSH 110Applied Instrumental Techniques I1
WSH 111Applied Instrumental Techniques II1
WSH 122Music Theory I3
WSH 155Introduction to Audio Technology in Worship3
WSH 156Live Sound Techniques in Worship3
WSH 180Weekend Experience 1(a)0.5
WSH 181Weekend Experience 1(b)0.5
WSH 210Worship Foundations3
WSH 230Worship Essentials3
WSH 240Infuse Leadership I1
WSH 241Infuse Leadership II1
WSH 250Weekend Experience 2(a)0.5
WSH 260Weekend Experience 2(b)0.5
Total Credit Hours:12

Open Electives

Select Any Twelve Credit Hours

Course NumberCourse NameCredit Hours
CLG 145Leadership Practicum I (a)1.5
CLG 146Leadership Practicum I (b)1.5
CLG 211Church Life3
CLG 247Leadership Practicum II (a)1.5
CLG 248Leadership Practicum II (b)1.5
CLG 270Facilitating Leadership and Growth in Others3
CLG 282Personal Growth and Leadership3
CLG 351Changing the World by Making Disciples/Mentoring3
CLG 401Pastoral Ministry3
CLG 410Homiletics3
CLG 480Church Growth3
CNS 201Counseling I3
CNS 220Psychology of a Leader3
CNS 230Research Methods3
CNS 302Marriage & Family in Society3
ELE 104Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 105Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 106Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 107Transfer/Substitution Elective3
ELE 108Transfer/Substitution Elective3
GRK 305Greek I(a)1.5
GRK 306Greek I(b)1.5
HEB 301Hebrew I3
LEA 210Christian Leadership3
LEA 310Introduction to Organizational Leadership3
LEA 330Foundations of Marketing3
MIS 130Concepts in Leading Short-Term Missions3
MIS 200Missions and the Local Church3
MIS 201World Missions3
MIS 202Intercultural Communication I: General Focus3
MIS 311Intercultural Communication II: Middle East Focus3
MIS 312Intercultural Communication II: U.S. Indigenous Populations Focus3
PHL 120Philosophy of Leading Teams3
Total Credit Hours:12

 

Admissions

To become a student at Manna U, follow these two steps:

1.  Complete an application, which includes:

  • A non-refundable application fee of $50 (linked to application)
  • An essay, written by the applicant, of his/her conversion experience (300-600 words), in a format that is typed and double spaced, using 12 pt. font size;
  • A Pastoral Reference* from the Pastor of the church that the applicant regularly attends;
  • A Personal Reference* from someone who has known you for two years or more and is not related to you.
    Applicants will enter an email address for their selected references and a link to the online reference forms will be sent once the application is submitted.

2.  Order your official high school, G.E.D., or previous college transcripts (minimum 2.0 GPA is preferred).

Note: official transcripts are sent directly from one school/college to another. You can arrange to have your transcripts sent electronically to registrar@manna.edu, or a paper copy can be sent to our mailing address:

Manna University
Attn: Registrar’s Office
439 Westwood Shopping Center
PMB 106
Fayetteville, NC 28314

All applicants applying for admission to one of Manna U’s graduate programs must submit official transcripts showing an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent academic achievement approved by Manna U’s Academic Office. Students who plan to use military education benefits must submit transcripts from high school and all colleges attended.

Students who plan to use military education benefits must submit transcripts from high school and all colleges attended.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I complete the program completely online?

    Yes! Classes do require that you are actively serving in a local church so that you can record your experiences and our Applied Instrumental classes will require a coach to guide your progression. However, all of the courses can be completed online. 

  • Do I need to play an instrument to complete the degree?

    Yes. To complete the Applied Instrumental courses, you must be coached on a particular instrument such as guitar, piano or vocal studies. 

  • What can I do with a degree in worship?

    Our program trains and equips you to lead worship teams in your local church. With a worship degree from Manna University, you will be prepared to not only lead the music of Sunday worship experiences but also to be a valuable member of the administration in your local church. 

  • Does this program require an audition?

    Yes. Those seeking a major or minor (Bachelor’s Degree only) in Worship Ministry must audition with the Program Director or their designated representative prior to admission to the university. Applicants who are not eligible for admission to the Worship Ministry program but are otherwise admitted to the university will need to select a different program. 

Student Story

Faith's Story

“One of my favorite things about Manna University is the intentionality of the professors and staff members! Growing up, school was never something that I took seriously. Because of this, higher education was not something I felt qualified for. The teachers and instructors here at Manna U go out of their way to truly make you feel empowered. I am beyond grateful to be in an environment full of people who believe more for me than I believe in myself!”

Effective Leaders Bring Lasting Impact

Jesus chose twelve leaders who were from differing backgrounds. Many religious leaders in that time would have overlooked them. Through teaching and training, He prepared them to lead a movement that changed the world. Whatever your call may be, training at Manna U can help you engage in this kind of transformational leadership.