Samford University

What you'll study

Coursework and training combine music, theology and practical worship skills. Specific topics and experiences named in the programme include:

• Developing musical proficiency and song selection for congregational worship.
• Creative worship design, planning worship services and team leadership.
• Theology of worship and biblical reflection on worship practices.
• Songwriting and arranging, including creating original worship songs.
• Worship technology and production: hands-on use of portable road sound systems, a band rehearsal room, on-site recording studio and relevant software.
• Participation in ensembles (Samford Worship Collective) with opportunities for ministry leadership, outreach travel and recording projects.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Division of Music and consideration for School of the Arts scholarships require:

• Application and acceptance to the university (Common Application) plus the Division of Music/School of the Arts application.
• An audition/interview in the principal performance area and an interview with worship faculty.
• Music theory placement examination and piano placement examination for non-keyboard majors.
• Transfer students must audition in their principal performance area and take music theory and piano placement exams; transfer credit for other music courses is determined by placement exams or review of prior coursework.

Concentration-specific audition requirements noted in the programme:

• Ministry concentration: perform two contrasting pieces (options include a contemporary worship song, a standard hymn arrangement, or an art song), complete sight-reading/ear-training/scale exercises as requested, upload a reference letter from a church leader attesting to current service, and interview about worship interests and goals.
• Songwriting concentration: perform two contrasting pieces with one original song (at least 50% authored by the applicant), upload a PDF of the original song, complete sight-reading/ear-training/scale exercises as requested, upload a church reference letter, and interview about interests and career goals.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that combine ministry, music and leadership. Positions and pathways identified by the programme include worship pastor/director, music director, creative arts director, conference or retreat worship leader, youth or children’s worship leader, missionary worship leader, church plant worship leader, online worship coordinator, worship producer or technical director, recording artist or church musician, songwriter/composer, nonprofit ministry worker, and further study such as seminary or music/worship education roles.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Consideration for School of the Arts scholarships is tied to application and audition outcomes. Christian Ministry students are explicitly eligible for university scholarships. Admissions materials and audition results determine scholarship offers; students are notified of audition outcomes by mail and admitted for registration only after acceptance notices from the dean of the School of the Arts.