Worship and Music (MA) | Online
Cairn University’s online MA in Music and Worship prepares church musicians and ministry professionals through a robust study of worship theology and history, paired with an industry-leading, practical study of music technology delivered in a fully online format.
The program blends rigorous theological training with advanced musical skills to lead impactful worship ministries in diverse church settings.
Why Cairn University?
The Master of Arts in Worship and Music degree from Cairn University equips you for worship ministry in the church with expert musical instruction and a gospel-centered theological education as you learn to lead worship in multiple contexts. With an emphasis on technology and production, you will be equipped for a variety of positions and organizations, including local churches, conferences, and camps. Highlights include:
- A Christ-centered curriculum equipping you for worship ministry.
- Study under faculty who are both highly credentialed musicians and experienced worship leaders.
- Pursue your degree while while you work 100% online.
- Access to a network of peers and professors.
- Study at a university that has taught Bible and theology for over 100 years and has been NASM-accredited since 1972.
- Complete a Capstone Project consisting of four songs, arranged and produced to demonstrate skills acquired in the program.
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Get an inside look at our Worship and Music Master of Arts Program
The MA in Worship and Music program at Cairn University is a 39 credit program. Our biblically grounded curriculum, accredited by NASM, features 7-week courses, virtual collaborations with expert faculty, and a capstone project. The program requires:
Bible/Theology Courses: 6 credits
Core Curriculum Courses: 27 credits
Specialization & Elective Courses: 6 credits
Learn more:
In this program, students will:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge through research and coursework related to the historical, practical, theological, and biblical understanding of worship in the Christian church.
- Construct, plan, organize, and write on original research on topics related to worship ministry in the evangelical church.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage and lead with character a complex music ministry within an evangelical context.
- Present, arrange, compose, and record music using current music technology that is related to a modern music ministry context in the evangelical church.
- Appraise what makes a quality, gospel-centered, culturally, and historically informed worship service in a Christian and evangelical context.
- Formulate a comprehensive philosophy of worship, life, and ministry.
Curriculum Highlights:
- MUS 651 Biblical Foundations of Worship
- MUS 606 African American Worship
- MUS 691 Worship and Ministry Project
- MUS 607 Plan Worship Theologically
Learn more:
Graduates of Cairn University’s online MA in Music and Worship can pursue various career paths that combine theological insight, musical expertise, and leadership skills. Here are some key roles:
- Worship Pastor/Leader: Direct music and worship services in churches, blending musical performance with spiritual leadership to foster meaningful congregational worship.
- Church Music Director: Oversee music programs, including choirs, bands, and ensembles, while coordinating worship services and rehearsals.
- Creative Arts Pastor: Lead broader creative ministries, integrating music, drama, and visual arts to enhance worship experiences.
- Songwriter/Composer for Worship: Create original congregational songs, hymns, or arrangements for church services, recording, or publication.
- Christian Education Director: Develop and lead programs that integrate music and worship into educational ministries within churches or Christian schools.
- Music Ministry Consultant: Advise churches on worship planning, music selection, and program development to align with theological and cultural goals.
- Freelance Worship Artist: Perform, teach, or lead workshops at churches, conferences, or retreats, focusing on worship music and leadership.
- Academic Instructor: Teach music and worship courses at Christian colleges, seminaries, or community programs, often requiring further study (e.g., doctorate).
These roles can be pursued in various settings, including local churches, parachurch organizations, or Christian institutions, with flexibility for full-time, part-time, or bivocational work. The degree’s emphasis on theology and practical skills also supports entrepreneurial paths, such as starting a worship-focused ministry or media production.
The School of Music has also received programmatic accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music.
Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
A master’s degree is typically a major investment. At Cairn University we make every effort to lower the costs of your education. Cairn Online programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor’s and master’s programs.
The current tuition rates are available from this page.
Scholarships and financial aid are also available.
Limited-time Offer: $400/credit for the 2025-2026 academic year.
All Cairn University students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University’s doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in the Foundational Statements.
Below are additional requirements:
- Application: Submit the Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code faithmatters and we will waive the fee.
- Transcripts: Submit official academic transcript(s) for all conferred degrees. Request transcripts to be sent to Cairn through the application portal.
- Personal Testimony: Describe your conversion to Christ, spiritual growth, and church involvement. (minimum 500 words)
Audition:
- Pass an audition conducted online or in person. Review audition requirements.
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Featured Faculty
Scott Watson, DMA
Faculty, School of Music
Dr. Scott Watson, before coming to Cairn, was a band director and music teacher in the Parkland School District (Allentown, PA) and taught music theory at Temple University. His award-winning music has been performed at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and the White House. His book, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity, is published by Oxford University Press.
Scott and his wife, Kim, have two adult children, Benjamin and Abigail, who are both music teachers themselves. The Watsons attend Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, where Scott plays keyboard in the worship team. Whenever he can get away, you can find Scott with his family “down the shore” visiting his parents in Cape May, reading a good non-fiction book.
Deion Payton
Director, Gospel Choir
Deion Payton began singing at the age of four and continued to study at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts as a Vocal Major. While attending CAPA, he performed at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Academy of Music and other prestigious organizations. He has shared the stage with artists such as Paul Simon, Mali Music, Nick Jonas, Ruth Naomi Floyd, Jabari Johnson, Myron Butler and performed in the presence of former President, Barack Obama.
He studied at Cairn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in voice. While at Cairn, Deion restored and led the Cairn Gospel Choir. Now an accredited course, Deion serves on the Faculty as Director for the Gospel Choir.
What Our Students Have To Say
Eme Eskaros
One of my favorite parts about being a Worship & Music major at Cairn was how holistic and comprehensive my education was. Not only did I receive incredible technical training as a musician, my philosophy and theology as it pertains to the arts and worship was challenged and grown immensely. I also loved that this program equipped and encouraged me to use jazz, which is my ‘heart music’ as my offering of worship.
Cairn Online Frequently Asked Questions
Cairn Online courses based on Cairn’s 100+ years tradition of excellence in biblical education. Our on faculty has carefully designed them taking into consideration what works best for the online learner. The modular design and asynchronous delivery enable you to complete your studies while you pursue your career, ministry and spend time with your family.
Courses typically contain seven units and are delivered in 7-week terms*. Each unit contains 5-7 modular activities. Each learning activity includes instructional videos accompanied by reflections, quizzes, discussion forums and other assessments. Courses also utilize adaptive learning technologies such as Cerego for long-term retention of concepts and VoiceThread for enhanced collaboration.
The asynchronous delivery provides flexibility around your daily busy schedule. In most courses, interactive activities are typically due by Wednesday while the rest of the unit’s work is due by Sunday night. The MBA, M.A. in Music and Criminal Justice programs use the 7RD2 process and require the completion of certain activities daily to optimize learning.
Our own Cairn faculty intentionally participate in the course throughout the week to provide you with an incarnational experience.
*Few capstone courses are intentionally offered in 14 weeks to optimize student learning.
All courses are developed by one or more course developers and taught by our own faculty. The instructors are also intentionally involved in the course throughout the week by providing direction in the course activities, participating in the forum discussions, grading the student work and providing substantive feedback. Most courses also offer optional office hours weekly via Zoom or similar video conferencing tools.
Our instructional design team works very closely with the course developers and carefully plans the courses to balance the technology requirements. Most courses use the eLearning platform for hosting the course materials, Panopto for video capture and storage, VoiceThread for enhanced discussion forums, and Cerego for adaptive learning. Zoom is used at times for virtual office hours. These sessions are optional.
The course transfer depends on where you are transferring from, and what program you are transferring to. If you are coming to Cairn Online from another institution, it is very likely you will have some credits that will transfer. Because there are so many options, we encourage you to talk to an enrollment counselor. If you are transferring out, Cairn is a regionally accredited school and some credits should transfer with relative ease. Each college sets their own transfer criteria, so be sure to check their policies for specifics.
Cairn is approved to offer financial aid because of its regional accreditation. There are many options available and typically students qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Many students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degree even more affordable. Cairn offers a variety of scholarships and discounts in addition to options for loans and grants. Please refer to this page for details.