Bachelor of Arts in Church Music and Theology

Music Theory I

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Foundational music theory — covering notation, scales, intervals, chords, keys, rhythm, and basic harmony, providing the theoretical foundation for church music study.

Introduction to Old Testament

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Foundational study of the Old Testament — covering the structure, content, historical context, and theological themes of the Old Testament books, with attention to worship and music in Israel.

Vocal and Instrumental Performance I

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Individual vocal or instrumental tuition — covering technique, repertoire, performance practice, and the development of performance skills for church music contexts.

Introduction to New Testament

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Foundational study of the New Testament — covering the structure, content, historical context, and theological themes of the New Testament books, with attention to worship in the early church.

Choral Conducting

Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

Choral conducting technique — covering beat patterns, cueing, expression, rehearsal methods, voice training, choral arrangement, and the direction of church choirs.

Systematic Theology I

Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

Introduction to systematic theology — covering the nature and method of theology, revelation, Scripture, the doctrine of God, and Christology with application to worship and ministry.

Church History

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Survey of church history — covering the early church, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, and the spread of Christianity including African church history and the development of church music.

Worship Studies and Hymnology

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Theology of worship and hymnody — covering biblical foundations of worship, worship in church history, hymn writers, African church music, contemporary worship, and the integration of music with wo...

Music Composition and Arrangement

Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

Composition and arrangement for church music — covering harmony, counterpoint, songwriting, hymn writing, choral arrangement, and the creation of theologically informed worship music.

Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

Preaching and pastoral ministry — covering sermon preparation, expository preaching, pastoral care, counselling, worship leadership, and the practical aspects of pastoral ministry with music.

Christian Ethics

Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

Christian moral reasoning — covering ethical theories, biblical ethics, social ethics, and the application of Christian ethical principles to worship, ministry, and contemporary society.

Recital and Theological Research Project

Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore

Final-year recital and theological research project — demonstrating mastery of both music performance and theological research through a public recital and a written theological thesis.

Worship Leadership and Theology

Focus on leading worship with theological depth — covering worship planning, service design, worship theology, congregational singing, and the integration of doctrinal integrity with musical excellence in worship.

Choral Conducting and Church Music

Focus on choral leadership in church contexts — covering conducting technique, choral arrangement, voice training, choir management, and the direction of church choirs with attention to theological content in choral music.

Biblical Studies and Music

Focus on the intersection of biblical studies and music — covering the Psalms as worship texts, biblical music traditions, exegesis of worship passages, and the application of biblical content in church music composition and selection.

Pastoral Ministry and Worship

Focus on pastoral ministry with worship leadership — covering preaching, pastoral care, counselling, worship leading, church administration, and the integration of music ministry with pastoral responsibilities.

Music Composition and Theology

Focus on composing theologically informed church music — covering harmony, songwriting, hymn writing, choral arrangement, and the creation of worship music that is both musically excellent and theologically sound.

Theological Education and Music

Focus on teaching theology and music in Christian contexts — covering pedagogy for both disciplines, curriculum design, and the training of church leaders and musicians with integrated theological and musical competencies.

HELB Undergraduate Loan

Church Sponsorship and Denominational Bursaries

University Scholarships and Bursaries

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited university programmes.

Kabarak University Internal Bursaries

BursaryKsh 25,000Kenyan

Needy students enrolled at Kabarak University, applied through the financial aid office.

Church and Denominational Scholarships

ScholarshipKsh 80,000Kenyan

Students sponsored by their church or denomination for church music and theology training, typically with a commitment to serve in ministry after graduation.

Higher Education Fund (HEF)

BursaryKenyan

Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

County Government Bursaries

BursaryKenyan

Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Continuous Assessment Tests

Coursework20% of the mark

Written tests covering music theory, theology, church history, and hymnology — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.

Performance Practicals and Recitals

Coursework30% of the mark

Practical performance exams covering vocal or instrumental proficiency, choral conducting demonstrations, and end-of-semester recitals — assessed by faculty juries.

Theological Essays and Ministry Attachments

Coursework25% of the mark

Theological research papers, exegetical assignments, sermon preparation, and ministry attachment reports — developing both theological and practical ministry skills.

Final Examinations and Recital/Thesis Project

Examination25% of the mark

End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year recital and theological research project demonstrating mastery of both music performance and theological research.

Commission for University Education (CUE)

Academic accreditationRequired

Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Church Music and Theology is CUE-accredited at Kabarak University (approved 2015).

Worship Pastor / Music Director

Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 55,000

Leads worship and music ministry in a church — overseeing worship planning, choir direction, music team training, and theological integrity of worship, combining both musical and pastoral roles.

Pastor / Church Minister

Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000

Leads a local congregation in preaching, pastoral care, teaching, and worship — with the added ability to direct the church's music programme and train worship teams.

Theology Lecturer (with postgraduate study)

Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000

Teaches theology and church music in theological colleges and universities after postgraduate study — preparing future ministers with integrated musical and theological competencies.

Chaplain

Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 55,000

Provides spiritual care in hospitals, schools, or institutions — offering pastoral support, counselling, worship leadership, and music ministry in institutional settings.

Christian Educator / Music Minister

Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 50,000

Combines teaching and music ministry in churches and Christian schools — covering Christian education, worship leading, choir direction, and the training of church musicians.

Sibelius / MuseScore (Music Notation)

SoftwarePrimary

Music notation software for composing, arranging, and printing sheet music — essential for church music composition, choral arrangement, and hymn writing.

Bible Study Software (Logos/Accordance)

SoftwarePrimary

Digital Bible study platform providing original language tools, commentaries, and theological resources — essential for biblical exegesis and theological research.

Microsoft Office Suite

Software

Productivity tools including Word for research papers and sermons, Excel for programme administration, and PowerPoint for teaching and presentations.

ABRSM Exam Resources

Resource

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exam materials — providing graded theory and practical exam resources integrated into the Kabarak music programme.

University Library and Music Facilities

Resource

Kabarak University facilities — including practice rooms, recording studios, performance halls, theological library, and music library resources.

Church Music and Theology is just two separate degrees combined.

The programme is an integrated dual-major degree — music and theology are taught together with cross-disciplinary modules, preparing graduates for roles that require both musical and theological competencies.

You can only become a worship leader with this degree.

Graduates work as pastors, theology lecturers, chaplains, music directors, Christian educators, and mission workers — the dual qualification opens diverse career paths in ministry and education.

The programme is not academically rigorous because it covers two fields.

The programme involves music theory, ABRSM exams, biblical exegesis, systematic theology, and research — covering two rigorous disciplines in one degree is demanding and comprehensive.

Church Music and Theology is the same as Church Music.

Church Music focuses primarily on musical skills for worship, while Church Music and Theology is a dual-major with equal weight on theology — covering doctrine, church history, ethics, and preaching alongside music.

You need to be both a musician and a theologian to apply.

Entry requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Music and C in CRE — the programme develops both musical and theological skills from intermediate to advanced levels during the four years of study.