Master of Sacred Music (MSM)

The School of Theology values and celebrates the role the arts play in theological education, particularly the transformative and redemptive power of music. The Master of Sacred Music (MSM) degree program, offered jointly with Boston University’s School of Music, is at the forefront of professional training in the field. The program offers two concentrations: organ and choral conducting.

Students are prepared for leadership roles in communities of faith, and as performers, scholars, and teachers, using the incomparable resources of the BU School of Music and School of Theology. The program takes two years of full-time study to complete. The option to complete the MSM in conjunction with the MDiv as a dual-degree program in only four years allows those with a calling to church music to prepare for ordination or to broaden their understanding of professional ministry.

Please note that the MSM requires an audition. For this reason, it is most appropriate for students with significant previous training in music, particularly those with an undergraduate music major or minor. Those who enjoy music but are not professionally trained may want to consider the Theology & the Arts track of the Master of Divinity or the Open Track Master of Theological Studies program, both of which offer flexibility to develop one’s coursework toward music through both STH courses and the University’s College of Fine Arts.

Please see the full description of the MSM degree program in the STH Bulletin, which also contains admissions and financial information.

• MSM Plan of Study in Organ
• MSM Plan of Study in Choral Conducting – Please note that the MSM will be accepting Organ applications only for Fall 2022 matriculation. The Choral Conducting track is on hold while a faculty search is taking place in that field.

Some of the distinguished faculty at Boston University supporting the MSM degree are:

• Andrew Shenton, MSM Program Director
• Peter Sykes, Organ
• Karen Westerfield Tucker, Professor of Worship