Bachelor of Arts
Worship Leadership
Empowering Future Leaders for Transformative Worship Ministry
Is This Program for Me?
Shape the Future of Worship Leadership
Samford's Worship Leadership degree equips you for impactful ministry in local churches and beyond, with concentrations in worship production, songwriting or ministry.
Gain a solid foundation in music and worship practices while participating in ensembles like the Samford Worship Collective. Through hands-on experience and a culminating ministry internship, you'll graduate ready to lead worship, inspire congregations or continue your journey in seminary.
What Will I Learn?
Discover how to lead worship with heart, creativity, and confidence—equipping you with real-world skills for ministry.
Answering the Call
You'll discover how to understand and respond to God’s call to lead worship.
Creative Worship Leadership
Learn to think both pastorally and creatively about leading worship.
Worship Roots
Explore the history and meaning behind worship throughout the Church's story.
Planning Worship Services
Work with others to plan and lead meaningful worship that connects with your church.
Musical Skills
Develop your musical abilities to help lead a congregation in worship through music.
Biblical Thinking
Learn how to reflect on worship using the Bible and sound theology.
Songwriting
Create your own worship songs that can be used in church.
Tech & Production
Get hands-on experience with the technology and creative elements that make worship come alive.
Key Skills
- Musical Proficiency
- Song Selection
- Creative Worship Design
- Team Leadership
- Worship Media & Technology
- Theology of Worship
- Public Speaking & Prayer
- Songwriting & Arranging
- Digital Communication
- Pastoral Care
- Collaboration
- Event Coordination
- Emotional Intelligence
Career Preparation
With a Worship Ministry Leadership degree, graduates can pursue career paths that blend ministry, music, creativity and leadership.
Worship Leadership & Administration
- Worship Pastor/Director
- Music Director
- Creative Arts Director
- Conference/Retreat Worship Leader
- Worship Consultant
- Youth/Children’s Worship Leader
- Missionary Worship Leader
- Church Plant Worship Leader
- Christian Event Organizer
- Nonprofit Ministry Worker
Technology & Production
- Worship Producer
- Technical Director
- Online Worship Coordinator
Performance
- Recording Artist
- Church Musician
- Songwriter/Composer
Education
- Music or Worship Ministry Educator
- Seminary/Theological Study
What Makes Us Different?
Deep Connections & Broad Perspectives
Our program boasts an impressive faculty-to-student ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship for each student. This close-knit learning environment fosters hands-on experience through classes, ensembles and field observations, all of which are integral to developing practical skills. Students actively engage in the Samford Worship Collective, where they participate in ministry leadership opportunities, travel for outreach and contribute to recording projects. Additionally, the program emphasizes experiential learning through conference attendance, a "Songs for Worship" writing contest and exciting study abroad opportunities that broaden students’ perspectives on worship practices.
Practical Experience & Real-World Preparation
To further enhance their training, students are required to complete a two-semester, supervised internship in a local church worship ministry, where the primary goal is to cultivate practical leadership skills for future roles. Our students have access to an array of advanced technology resources, including a fully portable road sound system, modern band rehearsal room and on-site recording studio in addition to software like ProPresenter, Sibelius, ProTools, Ableton, Multitracks and Planning Center Online. They also benefit from the resources offered by the Center for Worship and the Arts, which allows them to teach and explore worship and the arts through various ongoing programs tailored for local churches. The Worship Leadership Network connects students with professional church and ministry leaders in worship, music, and the arts, further enriching their educational experience and preparing them for successful careers in worship leadership.
Meet the Faculty
Emily Andrews
Jonathan RodgersAdmission and Scholarship
Appointments for auditions and placement examinations are scheduled upon receipt of the School of the Arts application materials. Students are notified by mail of the results of the auditions and are admitted for registration only if they have acceptance notices sent by the Dean of the School of the Arts. Transfer students must audition in the principal performance area(s) and take a music theory and piano placement examination to determine both acceptance and transfer of credit. Transfer of credit for other music courses is determined by either placement examinations or review of the student’s previous work in an equivalent course.
Ministry Concentration
Admission to the Division of Music and consideration for School of the Arts Scholarship requires an application and acceptance to the University through the following:
- Common Application
- Division of Music/School of the Arts application
- Audition/interview in principle area (see details below)
- Interview with worship faculty
- Music theory placement exam
- Piano placement exam (non-keyboard majors)
Students auditioning for the Ministry Concentration should:
- Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song.
- Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training and major scales as requested.
- Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
- Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals.
Christian Ministry students are eligible for university scholarships.
Songwriting for Worship Concentration
Admission to the Division of Music and consideration for School of the Arts Scholarship requires an application and acceptance to the University through the following:
- Common Application
- Division of Music/School of the Arts application
- Audition/interview in principle area (see details below)
- Interview with worship faculty
- Music theory placement exam
- Piano placement exam (non-keyboard majors)
Students auditioning for the Songwriting for Worship concentration should:
- Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song. One of these two pieces should be an original song. At least 50% of the original song should be authored by the applicant.
- Upload a PDF file of the student’s original song.
- Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training and major scales as requested.
- Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
- Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals.
Worship Production Concentration
Admission to the Division of Music and consideration for School of the Arts Scholarship requires an application and acceptance to the University through the following:
- Common Application
- Division of Music/School of the Arts application
- Audition/interview in principle area (see details below)
- Interview with worship faculty
- Music theory placement exam
- Piano placement exam (non-keyboard majors)
Students auditioning for the Worship Production concentration should:
- Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song.
- Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training, and major scales as requested.
- Upload two, 1–3-minute samples of music you’ve recorded, composed, and/or produced. Include a description of the examples of technology you’ve developed (e.g., programming, electronics—the software projects or hardware/schematics of your past projects), or anything else that highlights your skills in music technology, production or STEM. If you are submitting a website link, upload it as a separate PDF file containing a clickable link.
- Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
- Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals.
