Master of Sacred Music

The Master of Sacred Music is a Hybrid, Low-Residency degree intended to advance the careers and enhance the ministerial effectiveness of Worship Leaders, Music Ministers, and students of Sacred Music who have already achieved an undergraduate music degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. This highly selective program offers limited enrollment, with no more than 12 students being allowed per year across all programs (Certificate and Master’s combined). Residency requirements are 2 non-consecutive weeks per year, with 1 required week coinciding with the Sacred Music Summit in late January or early February. The second week of residency requirement may be fulfilled by participating in Mercer’s international programs – such as the Mercer on Mission in Morocco: Waging Peace Through Music program, or by recording a Capstone project at Macon’s world-famous Mercer Music at Capricorn studio. Compelling Capstone projects will be eligible for complementary studio time. Students who participate in the Mercer on Mission program in addition to the annual Summit will be considered to have met all residency requirements for their degree. Other options for fulfilling the second week of annual residency are available on a case-by-case basis.

Utilizing technological innovation to resource Sacred Musicians where they are, all courses will be delivered either as online or distance education, or as intensives during Summit Week or Mercer on Mission. Online courses will be taught as 8- or 16-week semester courses. Sacred Music courses will be taught as 8-week courses consisting of 4 modules, with 2 courses being offered each semester.

View the Master of Sacred Music curriculum