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About the Worship and Theology Program

Why Study Worship and Theology at Cedarville?

If you're passionate about leading God’s people in true, biblically grounded worship, Cedarville’s Worship and Theology program, one of four concentrations under the Master of Theological Studies, will equip you with biblical knowledge and practical worship skills to be an effective worship leader for God’s glory. This program is offered by the School of Biblical and Theological Studies in partnership with the Department of Music and Worship.

Through the Worship and Theology master's program, you'll be equipped with the skills you need for a lifetime ministry of worship leadership and theological discipleship. Ï㽶ֱ²¥coursework will combine core biblical, theological, and ministry curriculum with specialized courses in worship and a researched capstone project, preparing you to lead well within the church.

This 36-credit hour program — including 15 hours of core Bible and theology courses and 21 hours dedicated to your worship training — is offered in a convenient, fully online format and can be completed in as little as one calendar year. You can choose to take classes part time to fit your personal schedule. A limited number of in-class delivery courses may also be available.

For Cedarville undergraduate students, an accelerated completion plan allows you to earn both a BA in worship and a master's in worship and theology in just four or five years.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

  • Biblical Worldview
    All courses are built on the solid foundation of Scripture.

  • Online and Accelerated
    All courses are offered in an online format, 1- and 2-year completion options.

  • Affordable
    Cedarville’s online ministry programs are competitively priced with available financial aid.

Program Overview

Worship and Theology (MTS) Program Highlights

Flexible — Can be completed online in as little as one calendar year, with full- or part-time options to meet your needs.

Strong Foundation — Core classes set a foundation in theology and ministry, including:

  • Old Testament Overview
  • New Testament Overview
  • Systematic Theology I
  • Systematic Theology II
  • Introduction to Biblical Theology

Specialization Courses — Specialized courses, three of which are offered in collaboration with the Department of Music and Worship, will equip you for practical worship skills:

  • Biblical Foundations of Worship
  • Contemporary Worship Leadership
  • Practices in Worship Technology
  • Worship Leadership Practicum
  • Ministry of Teaching and Preaching
  • Church and God’s Mission
  • Researched Worship Project (Capstone)

What Can You Do With a Worship and Theology Degree?

The Worship and Theology concentration will equip you as an effective worship leader by grounding your practice of worship in a deeper biblical-theological framework and honing your practical skill set.

Opportunities for Worship and Theology Master's Students

As part of your online master's degree in worship and theology, you will have multiple opportunities to shape your ministry philosophy and personal leadership skills. Ï㽶ֱ²¥capstone course will be a research project that is applied in a real ministry setting.

During the program, you will:

  • Plan worship services that are theologically-rich and value the arts (visual and auditory).
  • Design a worship ministry for a church that incorporates worship and discipleship.

Passionate about songwriting? You'll have the opportunity for new congregational worship songs that you write to be published by . Used in churches, camps, chapels, and other ministries, Cedarville Worship Publishing songs encourage true biblical worship by keeping Christ at the center.

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply for admission.

MTS Admission Requirements

Costs and Financial Aid — Ï㽶ֱ²¥decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid.

MTS Cost Information

Program Start Dates — Applications are accepted throughout the year, and you can enroll and begin classes in August, October, January, March, May, or July.

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Michael O'Brien, worship leader, performing artist, and Cedarville dad, encourages you to consider Cedarville's outstanding undergraduate and graduate worship programs to hone your worship skills and establish a strong theological foundation.

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View thumbnail for Worship at Cedarville

Worship at Cedarville

Cedarville's undergraduate and graduate worship programs will equip you with the practical skills and theological foundation for effective worship ministry.

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Program Curriculum

You will complete 36 credit hours, including 15 credits in the Master of Theological Studies core and 21 credits in specialized worship and theology courses.

Access a helpful , and discover how each concentration can prepare you uniquely to use your gifts for ministry impact.

Sample courses:

  • Biblical Foundations of Worship
  • Contemporary Worship Leadership

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers graduate and undergraduate programs with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is the best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
  • Online
Worship band practicing

From Our Students:

  • I wanted a program that is grounded in rich theology and would give me the tools and feedback necessary to lead music excellently. The program gives a strong theological foundation for why we sing and Whom we sing to while also providing training on how to implement that foundational knowledge into a local church or ministry context.
    Ashlynn Robinette, Worship and Theology ’23
    Ashlynn Robinette
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Program Contacts

Photo of Roger O'Neel

Roger O'Neel, PhD

Professor of Worship; Director - Worship Program; Assistant Chair - Worship

Contact

Photo of Jeremy Oliver

Jeremy Oliver, MDiv

Director, Assistant Professor of Applied Theology

Contact

Photo of Maggie Hess

Maggie Hess

Director of Graduate Admissions - Online and Ministry Programs

Contact

School of Biblical and Theological Studies

Program News

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    For 40 years, John Mohler has faithfully directed worship at Patterson Park Church in Beavercreek, Ohio, blending hymns with modern praise songs in a way that draws generations together.