by our College Data Analytics TeamMajoring in Sacred Music will allow you to learn more about the different types of music used in religious ceremonies and understand the role it plays in religion. This is an ideal major for students with a passion for both religion and music who is interested in how music allows you to express emotions and beliefs.
Music allows people to express genuine emotions and thought. Classes in topics such as voice, piano, organ, composition, religious studies, history, music theory, and church music administration will teach you how to train a choir, play instruments used in religious ceremonies, and compose new religious music while allowing you to take a deeper look into scared compositions and the messages they wish to express. With a degree in sacred music, you will be able to express your faith in a unique and beautiful way.
In 2020-2021, sacred music was the 273rd most popular major nationwide with 554 degrees awarded. This represents a 8.3% increase in sacred music degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 508.
Our 2023 Best Sacred Music Schools ranking analyzes 43 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for sacred music students. Explore this or one of our many other custom sacred music rankings further below.
Students interested in this major should already have some experience with music theory, know how to read sheet music and be able to play an instrument. Classes will usually involve some piano lessons as well as lessons in your main instrument. Worship or Sacred Music professionals often work with the Clergy or the choir making strong interpersonal and communication skills mandatory.
Most graduates with a [Sacred Music degree](https://colleges.collegefactual.com/classes?provider_id=10179&sub_id=dmsSubId&campaign=degree-in-sacred-music&sidebar=aos_sacred-music&study_area_id=187&root_study_area_id=40&creative=cofa&referring_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegefactual.com%2Fmajors%2Ftheology-and-religious-vocations%2Fsacred-music%2Findex2.html) work for churches or religious organizations. These fulltime jobs require professionals to attend church services on the weekends and during the week as well as run choir practices, causing work hours to be irregular. Scholars who wish to research or teach Sacred Music will have more typical hours and work in an office setting.
Students who want to pursue a career in Sacred Music should join their church choir or assist the music director in a congregation. This will allow you to gain experience leading choirs, playing instruments, and preparing the music for religious ceremonies. This previous experience will also be beneficial when graduates are looking for jobs.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic sacred music program qualifications, to serve in some sacred music careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of sacred music degrees. Sacred Music programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest sacred music degree you can get. Sacred Music programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to sacred music, with approximately 55.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to sacred music tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 55.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 14.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.2% |
61.9% of sacred music workers have at least a doctorate. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in sacred music careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the sacred music career you are seeking.
Graduates with a degree in Sacred Music typically pursue careers in churches and religious organizations as music directors, worship leaders, organists, cantors, and chanters. In these positions, you will train choirs and mucisians, as well as perform religious and sacred music for church services and other religious ceremonies. With the field growing at an average pace, graduates should be able to find a job after graduation. Those with previous experience in a choir or playing for religious events will be more competitive in the job market.
Want a job when you graduate with your sacred music degree? Sacred Music careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sacred music.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | 79,100 | 5.7% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
Sacred Music graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $30,993 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $25,962 to as high as $40,701. As you might expect, salaries for sacred music graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sacred music graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sacred music grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $59,790 |
With over 236 different sacred music degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sacred music school rankings to help you with this.
One of 7 majors within the Theology & Religious Vocations area of study, Sacred Music has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Religious/Sacred Music | 473 |
| Worship Ministry | 69 |
| Religious Music and Worship, Other | 12 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theological & Ministerial Studies | 15,832 |
| Biblical Studies | 4,119 |
| Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 3,116 |
| Religious Education | 1,417 |
| Missionary Studies | 1,220 |
