Best institutions to study Worship Ministry
A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 107 Worship Ministry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0502, 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 Worship Ministry programs
A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship. Includes instruction in digital media, electronic hardware design and installation, music, theater, and worship theology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Worship Ministry program, part of the Religious Music and Worship field, focuses on integrating musical and theatrical arts into Christian worship. This program is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in worship leadership and ministry, utilizing various forms of media and performance to enrich congregational experiences.
Students in this program will develop skills in speaking, active listening, and critical thinking, along with a solid foundation in philosophy, theology, and education. Coursework often includes digital media, electronic hardware design, music, and worship theology.
Credentials awarded
What Worship Ministry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree82 graduates / yr · 17 institutions77%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 5 institutions18%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
Graduates over time
Worship Ministry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 107 |
CIP 39.0502 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 20 institutions for Worship Ministry, 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 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 62% | $26,940 |
| 2 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 14 | 73% | $22,701 |
| 3 | Ozark Christian College Joplin, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 64% | $17,334 |
| 4 | The King's University Southlake, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 11 | 47% | $23,878 |
| 5 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 62% | $24,848 |
| 6 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 61% | $21,322 |
| 7 | World Mission University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 100% | $16,598 |
| 8 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | 58% | $6,608 |
| 9 | Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 42% | $19,204 |
| 10 | Nelson University Waxahachie, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 42% | $19,790 |
| 11 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 60% | $17,205 |
| 12 | Anderson University Anderson, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 66% | $24,812 |
| 13 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 74% | — |
| 14 | Waynesburg University Waynesburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 66% | $24,453 |
| 15 | Bryan College - Dayton Dayton, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 50% | $16,130 |
| 16 | Milligan University Milligan, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 63% | $19,143 |
| 17 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 77% | $48,795 |
| 18 | Hannibal - LaGrange University Hannibal, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 50% | $17,325 |
| 19 | Allegheny Wesleyan College Salem, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 46% | $7,496 |
| 20 | Evangel University - College of Online Learning Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 50% | $18,874 |
Offered in 13 states
Where Worship Ministry graduates come from. Each state links to all Religious Music and Worship programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 26 | California Baptist University19 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 15 | Cedarville University14 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 15 | The King's University11 / yr |
| Missouri | 3 | 13 | Ozark Christian College11 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 8 | Moody Bible Institute8 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 7 | Ouachita Baptist University7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 5 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary5 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 4 | Bryan College - Dayton2 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 4 | Emmanuel University4 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 3 | William Carey University3 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 3 | Anderson University3 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 2 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | Waynesburg University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2021, Directors, Religious Activities and Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Worship Ministry program can pursue careers as Directors of Religious Activities and Education, among other roles. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 13,800 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $54,840, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0502
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 |
Music Directors and Composers SOC 27-2041 | $73,710 | -0.3% Little or no change | ~4,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional 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 Worship Ministry 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 degrees are offered in Worship Ministry?+
The program offers Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's degrees, and Postbaccalaureate certificates.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and various knowledge areas including philosophy and theology.
What careers can I pursue with a Worship Ministry degree?+
You can work as a Director of Religious Activities and Education, Music Director, or Philosophy and Religion Teacher.
What is the job outlook for Worship Ministry graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and 13,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Worship Ministry?+
Worship Ministry is CIP 39.0502 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: A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship. Includes instruction in digital media, electronic hardware design and installation, music, theater, and worship theology.
How many institutions offer Worship Ministry programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Worship Ministry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 107 credentials in the year. That is 22.7% of all Religious Music and Worship graduates.
How much do Worship Ministry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Directors, Religious Activities and Education occupation, which Worship Ministry 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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