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Courses | B.M. in Worship Arts

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Transfer of Credits

Most courses taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States will be accepted on a comparable course basis. The following core courses will transfer directly:

In order to pass out of Theory III (MUSC 354) or Keyboard Skills II (MUSC 119), the student must display proficiency by achieving favorable scores on the Theory and Keyboard placement surveys.

No credit(s) will be given for waived courses. Waiver of courses on the basis of placement surveys without comparable prior course credit will increase elective credits required.

Credit for courses taken at a non-accredited college or university will be granted only through placement or challenge surveys.

Applied Music

In order to graduate, music students must reach primary applied proficiency level standards designated for each degree program. Applied Music lessons are guided by faculty or studio artists who have expertise and professional experience in either the voice or instrument under study, or in composition. Studio artists are affiliated with Biola via "special employee" contracts and thus do not undergo the same process for hire as do faculty. The studio artists are all highly competent individuals who appreciate Biola and endorse the goals of the Conservatory. For more information, see the Conservatory Office.

GPA Requirements

Students in the degree program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major and receive a minimum grade of C in each required course.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program are required to take a Biblical Studies Integration Seminar. This requirement must be fulfilled by taking BBST 4658 Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Worship Arts meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major and are exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement in foreign language, literature, and fine arts.
MUSC 126Introduction to Music Technology2
MUSC 127Music Production I2
MUSC 145Applied Music (Primary Instrument) 16
MUSC 153Musicianship I 21
MUSC 154Theory I 33
MUSC 160Essential Technologies for Musicians I1
MUSC 163Musicianship II 21
MUSC 164Theory II 33
MUSC 185Worship Foundations2
MUSC 200Performing Arts Forum 42
MUSC 275Music Area Seminar 50
MUSC 315History of Western Art Music I: Medieval through Baroque3
MUSC 316History of Western Art Music II: Classical through Romantic3
MUSC 323Basic Conducting2
MUSC 353Musicianship III 21
MUSC 354Theory III 33
MUSC 367Pop Theory for Worship and Commercial Music2
MUSC 368Pop Theory II for Worship and Commercial Music2
MUSC 369Survey of Contemporary Keyboard Styles and Techniques 62
MUSC 383Congregational Music3
MUSC 386Spiritual Formation and Worship2
MUSC 388The Calling, Character, Competencies of the Worship Leader2
MUSC 389Worship Design and Leadership2
MUSC 435Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician2
MUSC 445Applied Music (Electives) 74
MUSC 452Worship Arts Forum 84
MUSC 453Worship Internship5
MUSC 472Senior Worship Recital/Portfolio1
BBST 4658Integration Seminar: Redeeming Culture Through Music 93
Ensemble Courses
MUSC 013Worship and Popular Music Ensemble 104
Select 2 credits from the following courses:2
Biola Chorale
University Chorus
Women's Chorus
Men's Chorus
Proficiency Courses
The following proficiencies are required in order to complete the program: 11
Keyboard proficiency equivalent to three semesters of piano class:
Keyboard Skills II
Guitar proficiency equivalent to one semester of guitar class:
Introduction to Guitar
Voice proficiency equivalent to one semester of voice class, or one semester of private voice:
Voice Class
Applied Music
Program Course Requirements: 75 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 1257
Total Credits132
1

Must be taken for a total of 6 credits in primary instrument through proficiency: level 326. 

Guitar, Piano and Voice students need to complete 2 credits with Classical applied lessons. Drumset students should complete 2 credits with Percussion applied lessons.

2

Students may take the Musicianship Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of the Musicianship requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 153 Musicianship I. Musicianship courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

3

Students may take the Theory Placement Survey to potentially pass out of some or all of their Theory requirements. Students who do not take the survey will automatically be placed in MUSC 098 Introduction to Theory. The first two semesters of Written Theory courses already taken at the college/university level will directly transfer for credit.

4

4 semesters of Performing Arts Forum required for graduation; at least 2 semesters must be taken for 1 credit.

5

Taken every semester in conjunction with Applied Music (MUSC 145 or MUSC 445).

6

Required for Piano emphasis students only. Students who do not have a piano emphasis are exempt from MUSC 369 and are required to complete 73 program course credits and a total of 130 credits for the degree.

7

Electives; must be taken for a total of 4 credits. 

8

Must be taken for a total of four semesters.

9

​Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

10

Must be taken for a total of 4 credits.

11

Met by MUSC courses or survey.

12

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

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