Curriculum Overview for D.W.S. and M.W.S. Programs

The Institute for Worship Studies offers two on-campus intensives per calendar year (January and June) in Orange Park, FL. All courses are offered during each intensive. Students complete pre-course and post-course requirements through distance education, using a combination of e-mail, discussion boards and the virtual classroom (Moodle: a course management system) available on this web site and accessed through a web browser and 24/7 internet access. Professors are responsible for mentoring students as they complete each course.

Doctoral students will need to attend a total of five on-campus sessions (once for each of the four 'content' courses of DWS 701-704 and the accompanying practica, and once to take DWS 801 which begins the thesis phase of the degree program). Masters students will attend a total of four on-campus sessions, as a separate week of attendance for the MWS 601 Internship course is not necessary.

The typical two-year course of study to complete the four 'content' courses (i.e., excluding the capstone thesis and internship courses) may be pursued over four years through the Extended Track option.

Non-Degree Graduate Certificate Program: Qualified students who hold a master’s degree may enroll in the D.W.S. Advanced Program as non-degree students. Upon successful completion of the four core courses they will receive the Advanced Graduate Certificate of Worship Studies (A.G.C.W.S.) without having to take the Thesis/Project course.

Click on the course titles below for additional details. Or, view the Academic Catalog for a more comprehensive description of the degree programs.

Doctor of Worship Studies Courses

• DWS 701: The Biblical Foundations and Historical Development of Christian Worship,
  Andrew E. Hill, Ph.D., and Lester Ruth, Ph.D., 6 credit hours
• DWS 702: Sunday Worship: Music and the Arts
  Constance M. Cherry, D.Min., and Jeff Barker, M.F.A., 6 credit hours
• DWS 703: The Church Year,
  Daniel L. Sharp, D.M.A., and Jack Van Marion, D.Min., 6 credit hours
• DWS 704: The Sacred Actions and Ministries of Worship,
  Reggie Kidd, Ph.D., and Carla Waterman, Ph.D., 6 credit hours
• DWS 702P, 703P, 704P: Doctoral Practicum
  Kent Walters, D.W.S., 2 credits (total)
• DWS 801: Doctoral Thesis
  Keith Ray, D.Min., and Vaughn CroweTipton, Ph.D., 8 credit hours
  Dr. Gerald Borchert will continue working with students already in the thesis process under his direction.
• More D.W.S. Information

Master of Worship Studies Courses

• MWS 501: A Biblical Theology of Worship
  Eric Bolger, Ph.D., 6 credit hours
• MWS 502: The History of Christian Worship
  Greg Wilde, D.W.S., 6 credit hours
• MWS 503: Spirituality in a Postmodern World,
  T.B.D., 6 credit hours
• MWS 504: Cross-cultural Perspectives in Christian Worship,
  T.B.D., 6 credit hours
• MWS 601: Masters Ministry Internship
  Emily Vermilya, M.W.S. (D.W.S. Candidate), 6 credit hours
  Dr. Doris Borchert will continue working with students under her direction for their Internship.
• More M.W.S. Information