FIND YOUR FIT
Which concentration fits your calling?
Choose a concentration below to see its focus and who it is for. Your interests and the people you want to serve can help you decide.
Choose an option to see its focus and who it suits, or compare the choices together.
A quick way to decide
If you want broad church ministry preparation, start by exploring Pastoral Ministry. If you feel drawn to a particular area of service, compare that concentration with it.
Select a concentration to explore the kind of ministry it prepares you for.
Pastoral Ministry
Preach, shepherd, and lead.
- What you will study
- A broad preparation for church ministry, with study in preaching, pastoral care, biblical interpretation, evangelism, servant leadership, and church growth.
- Who it is for
- You want to serve as a pastor, help lead a church, plant a church, or develop a broad foundation for caring for a congregation.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to preaching Scripture, guiding believers, and helping a local church grow in spiritual health.
Christian Counseling
Bring biblical care to people’s lives.
- What you will study
- Study Christian counseling principles, ethics, listening and counseling techniques, crisis care, marriage, adolescents, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
- Who it is for
- You are drawn to one-to-one care, biblical encouragement, pastoral support, and helping people through personal or family challenges.
- Choose this if
- You want your studies to center on caring for hurting people and offering thoughtful, Scripture-grounded guidance.
Evangelism
Share the gospel and equip others to reach people.
- What you will study
- Explore personal witnessing, evangelism methods, preaching, apologetics, world religions, and compassionate outreach.
- Who it is for
- You have a strong desire to reach people for Christ, lead outreach, communicate the gospel, or equip a church to become more effective in evangelism.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to conversations about faith, community outreach, and helping people respond to Jesus.
Marketplace Ministry
Live your calling through work and business.
- What you will study
- Connect biblical principles with business, ethics, culture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and Kingdom living.
- Who it is for
- You are a business owner, entrepreneur, professional, or workplace leader who wants to serve God and influence others through everyday work.
- Choose this if
- You see your business, profession, or workplace as a place to practice integrity, serve people, and express your faith.
Youth Ministry
Reach and disciple the next generation.
- What you will study
- Study youth culture, current issues, youth evangelism, organizing a youth ministry, and biblical communication and care.
- Who it is for
- You serve or hope to serve teenagers and young people through a church, outreach ministry, or discipleship setting.
- Choose this if
- You want to help young people understand Scripture, grow in faith, and navigate the pressures of their generation.
Music Ministry
Lead worship and serve through music.
- What you will study
- Explore biblical worship, the Psalms, creativity, Christian music history, songwriting, worship leading, and a music ministry practicum.
- Who it is for
- You already have a basic musical background and want to develop the biblical and ministry side of serving as a worship leader, musician, or Christian creative.
- Choose this if
- You are drawn to helping people worship God through music, creativity, and thoughtful worship leadership.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
Your tuition at a glance.
Published bachelor’s course tuition, before additional fees and books.
- Courses in this program
- 11 courses
- Pay by individual course
- $2,178
- Published paid-in-full tuition
- $1,500
11 courses × $198 per course
Save $678 on course tuition
Additional fees & your individual plan
There are no application, Degree Completion Plan, or graduation fees. Transcript requests are $10. Required books and other program-specific costs may apply.
Your Degree Completion Plan confirms the courses you need and any approved transfer credit. Admissions can confirm how these affect your individual cost. The totals above use the full published course count.
Multi-course and paid-in-full payments are nonrefundable. Paying by individual course remains available.
Music Ministry Concentration
Ministry Leadership Major
Tuition: $198 per 3-credit course ($66 per credit)
Total Courses in this Program: 11
The Music Ministry Concentration is designed for individuals who desire to use their musical gifts to serve the Body of Christ through worship and creative ministry.
This program is not a music performance degree, but a Ministry Leadership degree with a concentration in music ministry. The focus is on equipping students to lead worship, communicate biblical truth through music, and develop effective music ministries within the church.
Students will explore the biblical foundations of worship, the role of creativity in ministry, the history of Christian music, and practical leadership skills for guiding worship teams and music ministries.
Because this is a ministry-focused concentration, it is assumed that students pursuing this program already possess a basic background in music.
What You Will Learn
Through this program, students will develop:
- A biblical understanding of worship and music ministry
- The ability to lead worship with spiritual sensitivity and leadership
- Greater creativity in expressing faith through music and the arts
- Understanding of the history and development of Christian music
- Skills for organizing and leading worship teams
- The ability to create meaningful worship environments
- Greater confidence in using musical gifts to serve the Body of Christ
Graduates of this concentration are equipped to serve as worship leaders, music ministers, and creative ministry leaders who use their gifts to glorify God and lead others into deeper worship.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program: Bachelor of Biblical Studies – Ministry Leadership Major
Concentration: Music Ministry
Courses Required: 11 Courses
Credits Earned: 33 Credit Hours
Tuition: $198 per course ($66 per credit hour)
Study Format: 100% Online through the ACU Virtual Campus
Start Date: Begin Anytime
Courses in the Music Ministry Concentration
1) APTH 4675 – Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
This course explores God’s call to live in spirit and truth. Students examine the illumination of Scripture and the role of revelation knowledge in renewing the mind and living a Spirit-filled life.
2) APTH 4685 – Creativity and the Spirit
This course explores the relationship between creativity and spiritual life. Students learn how close communion with God releases creative expression through the power of the Holy Spirit.
3) BIBL 4281 – Poetry for the Heart: A Study of the Book of Psalms
An in-depth study of the Book of Psalms, focusing on its historical background, spiritual themes, and application for worship and ministry today.
4) HUM 4700 – The Role of the Christian Artist
This course explores the role of artists in communicating God’s message through creative expression such as music, literature, film, drama, and visual arts.
5) MUS 4280 – The Music of Faith
Students examine the characteristics and structure of great music from a Christian perspective and explore how music has developed culturally and spiritually throughout history.
6) MUS 4320 – History of Christian and Gospel Music
This course traces the historical development of Christian and Gospel music from its early roots to its modern expressions.
7) MUS 4400 – Worship Songwriting and Composition
Students learn the fundamentals of songwriting and composition for corporate worship settings.
8) WOR 4100 – The Heart of True Worship
This course explores the biblical foundations of worship and examines what it means to worship God in spirit and truth.
9) WOR 4200 – Developing an Atmosphere of Worship
Students learn how worship leaders can create environments that encourage deeper encounters with God in corporate worship settings.
10) WOR 4300 – The Dynamics of Worship Leading
This course prepares students to lead worship effectively by understanding both spiritual leadership and practical responsibilities within worship ministry.
11) WOR 4500 – Music Ministry Practicum
This course provides practical ministry experience where students apply their leadership and worship ministry skills within a local church or music ministry setting.
Why Choose AMES Christian University
For more than two decades, AMES Christian University has been committed to providing affordable, accessible Christian education to students around the world. Our programs are designed to equip believers with strong biblical knowledge and practical ministry training while allowing students to study at their own pace.
Affordable Christian Education
We are committed to keeping Christian education accessible. Our tuition rates have remained unchanged for over 19 years, allowing students to pursue their calling without overwhelming financial burden.
100% Online Learning
Students can begin their studies anytime and complete courses from anywhere in the world. Our flexible online format allows students to balance ministry, family, and career while continuing their education.
Open Enrollment Year-Round
There are no semesters or waiting periods. Students can begin their degree program whenever they are ready.
Ministry-Focused Training
Our programs emphasize practical ministry training combined with strong biblical foundations to prepare students for real-world ministry opportunities.
Serving Students Worldwide
Through our partnership with AMES International School of Ministry (AISOM), we have helped equip more than 90,000 students from over 180 nations for ministry since 2005.
Begin Your Ministry Training
If God has placed a calling on your life to serve His people, this program can help prepare you for effective ministry leadership.