The Bachelor of Arts in Worship Leadership (BAWL) exists to train, equip, and empower students to be effective worship ministry leaders in the local church.
Students in the BAWL will learn effective pastoral leadership skills, study the biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship, develop excellent musical skills, and learn how to use relevant technologies to facilitate an encounter with God.
The BAWL program was developed in partnership with key worship leaders from Gateway Church to ensure that the skills and competencies taught are relevant and applicable to the worship communities of today’s local churches.
Our BAWL degree is designed to provide you with a solid biblical foundation in worship studies as well as practical skills in team building, songwriting, recording techniques, live audio, vocal and instrumental performance, and so much more.
This program is an on-campus program only, online is not an option.
DOWNLOAD A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN WORSHIP LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PDF
AUDITION PROCESS
Applicants must complete an audition for acceptance into the BAWL program.
Applicants must complete an audition for acception prior to admission into the Worship Studies (WS) Department programs. The link for audition materials will be sent by the Undergraduate Admissions Counselor.
For more information, contact worshipstudies@tku.edu.
Meet the Director
Dr. Andrew Nicolette
I love all things Music. I am a musician, songwriter, and composer. I am passionate about equipping and empowering our students to serve the local body of Christ using their gifts and talents. I have an amazing and supportive wife, Margaux, and two wonderful children, Hudson and Hadley.
Why The King's
- Spirit-formed leaders training Spirit-formed leaders. Given that many of our credentialed faculty are actively involved in ministry, their teaching comes from a perspective of applied knowledge.
- Whole-person formation. For us, it’s not just about what you learn, it’s about who you become. We believe your transformation for ministry should include deepening your walk with Jesus.
- Culture of worship and prayer. It could be the prayer room, weekly chapel, a classroom, or just a hallway – wherever it occurs, we live a life of prayer and worship.
- Community of care. Whether you take classes online or on-ground, soul care from faculty, staff, and peers extends from the classroom into your daily life.
- Growth in difference. When you get into a classroom with different generations, ethnicities, experiences, and faith journeys, you grow both personally and spiritually. You maintain your difference, but you grow in unity.
Program Purpose
The Bachelor of Worship Leadership degree has four objectives:
- PASTORAL: Equip biblically based and Spirit-empowered students in pastoral leadership.
- THEOLOGICAL: Teach Scripture and history as it relates to worship theology.
- MUSICAL: Provide students with the musical understanding and skill-sets needed to serve in the local church.
- TECHNICAL: Train students in relevant music, media, and administrative technologies.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes
A graduate of the BWL will be able to:
- Demonstrate biblically-based and Spirit-empowered pastoral leadership.
- Apply sound doctrine and historical context to worship ministry.
- Apply strong musicianship and musical communication skills from a primary and secondary instrument to direct a worship service.
- Employ relevant music, media, and administrative technologies for use in worship ministry.
- Design a healthy worship ministry administration to facilitate the operations and service planning of a worship department.
*BWL acceptance space is limited.
Curriculum
CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS 15 HOURS
| BIBL 1300 | Introduction to Bible | 3 |
| BIBM 1301 | Spirit Formed Life | 3 |
| BIBL 1307 | Principles of Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BIBT 2303 | To the Jew First | 3 |
| BIBT 2307 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| BIBT 2303 | To the Jew First | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION 43 HOURS
| UNIV 1101 | Student Success Strategies | 1 |
| ENGL 1301 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | English Composition II | 3 |
| COMS 2303 | Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| MATH 1301 | College Math | 3 |
| NSCI 1401 | Natural Science and the Bible | 4 |
| PSYC 1301 or SOCI 1031 | Behavioral Science (Psychology or Sociology) | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | Amercian History 1 | 3 |
| HIST 1303 | American History 2 | 3 |
| GOVT 2301 | Federal Government | 3 |
| GOVT 2302 | Texas State Government | 3 |
| PHIL 2301 | Christian Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 3305 | Philosophy and Christian Thought | 3 |
| PHED 1300 | Health and Wellness | 2 |
| Component Elective | 3 | |
| Creative Arts | 3 |
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 5 HOURS
| BIBM 2101 | Practicum Prep | 1 |
| BIBM 3201 | Junior Ministry Practicum | 2 |
| BIBM 3201 | Junior Ministry Practicum | 2 |
MAJOR COURSES 42 HOURS
| MUSC 1301 | Music Theory 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 2301 | Music Theory 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 2305 | Band Labs | 3 |
| MUSC 3305 | Songwriting | 3 |
| TECH 2301 | AV & Lighting | 3 |
| TECH 3301 | Recording Technologies | 3 |
| WRSP 2301 | Worship Leadership 1 | 3 |
| WRSP 2302 | History of Music and Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 3301 | Worship Leadership 2 | 3 |
| Primary Applied Music Lesson 1 | 1 | |
| Primary Applied Music Lesson 2 | 1 | |
| Primary Applied Music Lesson 3 | 1 | |
| Primary Applied Music Lesson 4 | 1 | |
| Primary Applied Music Lesson 5 | 1 | |
| Secondary Applied Music Lesson 1 | 1 | |
| Secondary Applied Music Lesson 2 | 1 | |
| Secondary Applied Music Lesson 3 | 1 | |
| Secondary Applied Music Lesson 4 | 1 | |
| BIBM 4302 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| BIBM 4303 | Senior Internship | 3 |
ELECTIVES 15 HOURS
| General Electives | 15 |
APPLIED MUSIC LESSONS 9 HOURS TOTAL (CHOOSE 2)
| Voice I-V | 5 | |
| Guitar I-V | 5 | |
| Piano I-V | 5 | |
| Drums I-V | 5 | |
| Bass I-V | 5 |
BAWL MINOR 15 HOURS
| MUSC 1301 | Music Theory 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 3305 | Songwriting | 3 |
| WRSP 2302 | History of Music and Worship | 3 |
| WRSP 2301 | Worship Leadership 1 | 3 |
| Applied Music Lesson 1 | 1 | |
| Applied Music Lesson 2 | 1 | |
| Applied Music Lesson 3 | 1 |
