Established 1999 President James R. Hart Phone +1 904-264-2172 Color crimson and gold | Chairman John Lindsell Dean Eric Ohlmann Founded 1999 | |
Former names The Institute for Worship Studies Type Private Graduate Theological School Address 4001 Hendricks Ave #395, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA Motto Forming servant leaders in worship renewal Similar Northern Baptist Theologic, Fortis College, Everest University‑Orange Park, Trinity Baptist College, Ohio Christian University Profiles | ||
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) is a non-denominational graduate theological school (emphasizing worship theology) which employs a hybrid course delivery system combining intensive on-campus pedagogy and distance learning methods. The administrative offices, library, and classroom space for the on-campus intensives are provided by a church in Jacksonville, Florida.
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History
IWS was conceived of in the 1990s by worship theologian Robert E. Webber, who intended to provide doctoral-level theological training to Worship Leaders and Music Ministers, who often complete Master degrees in areas like music or theology, and thus lack the divinity credentials to enroll in Doctor of Ministry programs. The first student cohort began matriculating at what was then called simply "The Institute for Worship Studies" in June 1999 with a class of twenty Doctor of Worship Studies (D.W.S.) students. The Masters of Worship Studies (M.W.S.) program began in 2002. After Dr. Webber died in 2007, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the school in his honor, and it has been called "The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies" ever since. IWS has been cited in the "Best of the Best" issues of Worship Leader Magazine in the area of Worship Education and Training multiple times, most recently in October 2015. Due to ongoing growth, the school relocated to the campus of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, in Jacksonville, FL.
Accreditation
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies was granted accredited status by the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Association for Biblical Higher Education in 2010, having become a member of the same in 2005. Accredited status was reaffirmed by the ABHE COA in February 2015.
Master of Worship Studies (M.W.S.)
The master's program consists of four core courses and the ministry internship, for a total of 30 credits.
Doctor of Worship Studies (D.W.S.)
The doctoral program consists of four core courses, the Practicum, and the thesis course, for a total of 34 credits. The program is similar in rigor and philosophy to a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Faculty
The IWS Faculty consists entirely of adjuncts who almost all teach full-time at other schools. Faculty members hold positions at such schools as Wheaton College (Illinois), Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Northwestern College, College of the Ozarks, Cornerstone University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Furman University.