Best institutions to study Religious Music and Worship
Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 6 Religious Music and Worship students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0599, a specialization of Religious Music and Worship (CIP 39.05), and leads most directly to the Directors, Religious Activities and Education occupation (BLS SOC 21-2021).
About Religious Music and Worship programs
Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Religious Music and Worship program focuses on the intersection of music and faith, preparing students for roles in religious settings. This program is designed for individuals interested in directing music and worship activities within congregations, as well as those looking to enhance their understanding of religious education and community engagement. Students in this program will explore various aspects of theology and religious vocations, gaining insights into how music can enrich worship experiences. With a small number of colleges offering this program in the U.S., students can benefit from personalized attention and specialized instruction tailored to their interests in religious music and worship.
Core skills developed in this program include speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing. Students will also gain knowledge in philosophy and theology, education and training, and customer service, preparing them for effective communication and leadership in religious contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Religious Music and Worship graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Religious Music and Worship completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
CIP 39.0599 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 2 institutions for Religious Music and Worship, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 63% | $18,918 |
| 2 | Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 40% | $32,198 |
Offered in 2 states
Where Religious Music and Worship graduates come from. Each state links to all Religious Music and Worship programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 | 4 | Lee University4 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 2 | Arizona Christian University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2021, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Religious Music and Worship program typically pursue careers as Directors of Religious Activities and Education, among other roles. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 13,800 annual openings. A bachelor's degree is the typical education requirement, with a median wage of $54,840.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0599
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Directors, Religious Activities and Educationprimary SOC 21-2021 | $52,100 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~13,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Religious Workers, All Other SOC 21-2099 | $45,280 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~11,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Religious Music and Worship programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
- Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
- Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
- Schedule special events, such as camps, conferences, meetings, seminars, or retreats.
- Counsel individuals regarding interpersonal, health, financial, or religious problems.
- Collaborate with other ministry members to establish goals and objectives for religious education programs or to develop ways to encourage program participation.
Tools and technology used
Other Religious Music and Worship specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Religious Music and Worship (CIP 39.05).
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You will earn a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Director of Religious Activities and Education or in other religious roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1%.
What is the CIP code for Religious Music and Worship?+
Religious Music and Worship is CIP 39.0599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Religious Music and Worship (CIP 39.05). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.
How many institutions offer Religious Music and Worship programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Religious Music and Worship graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 6 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Religious Music and Worship graduates.
How much do Religious Music and Worship graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Directors, Religious Activities and Education occupation, which Religious Music and Worship most directly leads to, pays a median of $52,100 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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