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PLAINVIEW — 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Baptist University and South Plains College have signed a memorandum of understanding creating a direct pathway for SPC students with an Associate of Applied Arts in Commercial Music to complete a Bachelor of Christian Ministry in Worship Studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ.

The agreement allows students to transfer up to 60 credit hours from SPC toward the BCM in Worship Studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ. Those credits are applied as 15 hours of general education and 45 hours of music, significantly streamlining the transfer process. Students then complete 64 additional credit hours at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ to meet the 124-hour graduation requirement. These include coursework in Bible, theology, ministry, worship methods, and applied music.

While students can begin coursework now, the option to transfer AAA credits from SPC to 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ for the BCM becomes available to with the Fall 2026 term and will be incuded in 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ's 2026-2027 catalog.

SPC students who pursue the AAA-to-BCM pathway become eligible for generous School of Christian Ministries scholarships, making the BCM in Worship Studies a financially accessible next step for graduates of the college’s highly respected Commercial Music program.

Toward the end of last spring, faculty at SPC reached out to 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ with an opportunity to be a transfer destination for students in the college’s commercial music program who have interests in contemporary ministry, according to Dr. Scott Strovas, Professor of Musicology at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ. “During the course of a few meetings, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ put together a bachelor's degree that would transfer in the entirety of SPC associate's so that students could complete their studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ within two years,” he said.

The unique partnership combines SPC's rich commercial music experience with 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ’s innovative ministry program to provide students a robust, relevant skillset.

The remaining coursework at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ includes:

• 24 hours of general education (including Religion 1301 and 1302)
• 6 hours of upper-level music courses such as Worship Methods and Early Music Practicum
• 27 hours of ministry courses such as Introduction to Ministry, Biblical Interpretation, Christian Worship, Spiritual Formation or Christian Spirituality, and Digital Media Ministry
• 7 hours of electives, with recommended options including music ensembles and experiential professional development

Students must complete their AAA in Commercial Music with the required GPA to be eligible for transfer admission. Under the agreement, SPC will actively advise students of this transfer opportunity, while 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ will honor the credit transfer and provide advising support to help students finish the BCM in Worship Studies.

“The new Bachelor of Christian Ministry in Worship Studies provides yet another way for 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ's School of Christian Ministries to connect with and assist churches in carrying out the Great Commission by providing well trained worship leaders in both the musical and theological skills needed to appropriately lead churches in today's world,” said Dr. Timothy Pierce, Dean of the School of Christian Ministries. “Being able to partner with South Plains' outstanding programs is a blessing for both schools in carrying out our like-minded missions to impact the Panhandle of Texas and beyond.”

“We we’re very excited to create a pathway for these talented students to complete their worship degree at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ,” said Dr. Richard Fountain, Dean of the School of Creative Arts at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ. “We hope that this will be a great example of public-private university partnership, serving 21st-century students as they pursue their career goals.”