Frequently Asked Questions
Where is FMA Located?
The Forerunner Music Academy is located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Do You Accept International Students??
Yes, we accept both national and international students.
Do students have to provide their own instruments, or are there instruments to rent at FMA?
At this time, FMA does not have instruments available for rent. However, keyboards are located in practice rooms for the use of the students.
What classes would I take?
During their first semester, an FMA student along with all other first semester IHOPU students will take the Forerunner Program which is a series of theology courses that provide a foundation for the values and beliefs of IHOP-KC. Additionally, FMA students will attend a weekly FMA Chapel, FMA Choir, and a class called Sound for Everyone.
Starting their second semester and every semester after, a student in FMA’s Prophetic Worship program will take, in addition to a sequence of theology courses, a class called KeysETT (a keys, ear training, and theory course applicable to a worship team context) and a class on their primary instrument. There are five levels of KeysETT and instrument specific group classes. Instead of taking two music classes, Music Production students will take a sequence of music production courses like Survey of Music Production, Mixing I, Studio Production, etc… All students are assigned to an FMA student worship team where they will participate in twelve hours in an FMA Prayer Room.
Can I have a major in one instrument and a minor in another?
FMA students do not have majors and minors. FMA offers 1, 2, 3, and 4 year certificates in Music Production and Prophetic Worship; certificates are based on accumulated credits.
A Prophetic Worship student takes two music classes each semester. The student is assessed during their first semester for one of the five levels of KeysETT (a keys, ear training, and theory course applicable to a worship team context) and one of the five levels of a group course on their primary instrument (Singing II, Guitar IV, Drums I, etc…). Students will progress through the levels each semester, and once a student completes level five or assesses out of level five in either their group instrument course and/or KeysETT, they are eligible of a series of courses we call Electives. These classes include Songwriting, private lessons on their primary instrument, and Keys Improvisation. Instead of choosing an Elective, the post-level five student may choose to focus on another instrument. They will be re-assessed and placed into one of the five levels on that new instrument. Only in this instance would a student take courses in two instruments in the same semester. Students are able to change their primary before the new semester begins.
Can I do FMA part-time?
Incoming FMA students are required to study full-time. 2nd years and beyond are eligible for a part-time option.
How much does it cost?
Tuition is a flat rate based upon the number of credits a student has accumulated which is related to their academic year (freshman, sophomore, etc..). The chart below represents the cost per semester.
| Academic Year | Tuition | Activity Fee | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman, First Semester | $2,750 | $75 | $2,825 |
| Freshman, Second Semester | $2,750 | $75 | $2,825 |
| Sophomore | $2,500 | $75 | $2,575 |
| Junior | $2,250 | $75 | $2,325 |
| Senior | $2,000 | $75 | $2,075 |
| Part-Time Flat rate* | $1,750 | $75 | $1,825 |
The FMA part time option is 9 credits, and it is available to second years through 4th years. Part time students choose 2 classes according to their progression whether it be music and/or theology. Additional weekly requirements include FMA Chapel, IHOPU Chapel, Discipleship Groups, six Prayer Room hours, and weekend services
ONE YEAR International Program Tuition (Annual Cost)
| Tuition | $4,500 |
| Activity fee* | $150 |
| Living expenses‡ | $7,500 |
| Health insurance‡ | $700 |
| Total‡ | $12,850 |
What percentage of time is dedicated to theology?
A first semester student’s curriculum consists primarily of theology courses. In the second semester and on, students spend about 4-6 hours a week in theology classes.
Does FMA offer summer or online courses?
FMA does not offer music training online courses or summer courses at this time. But we do have some FMA theology courses available.
How many hours a week do students dedicate to schoolwork?
Out of a 168-hour week, FMA students dedicate about fifty hours of school work: prayer room/weekend services (twenty-six hours), varying practice time (approximately eight hours), and class/other requirements (fifteen hours).
Are there any prerequisites for attending FMA?
FMA requires a high-school diploma or GED. Applicants must be at least seventeen years of age to apply. Because of the unique structure of our curriculum novice musicians as well as those advanced in their skill can learn and grow at our school.
Does FMA have internships or short-term programs?
FMA is a full-time school and does not currently have regular running internships or short-term programs.
Do I have to audition to be accepted into FMA?
Auditions are not required in the FMA admission process. During their first semester, FMA students will take an assessment to determine the level of music courses they will take in their second semester.
Do you have to be able to read music?
Reading music is not a requirement for entrance into FMA.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid of any form is generally not available to first-year students. FMA tuition is kept at a minimal level in order to ensure affordability and to prevent students from incurring debt. On-campus work with limited positions is offered for qualifying students in subsequent semesters.
Do you need to play instrument to be eligible for this program
Sherley,
No you don’t need to play an instrument to be eligible, however once in the school you will learn basic music skills.
What do the one year and two year progams look like? What classes are included in the one year?
KC,
You may refer to “What classes would I take?” in the FAQ list. If you would like to see a complete list of classes, you can click here. The course list is available on that website.
Will there be dorms in the near future. Say like in 2016?
Hello Rosie,
There has been discussion about dorms in the future, however at this time there are no plans for building them. We have a student housing website for students to find local housing with other students in the area.
Does the school educate, encourage or support students who desire to study all styles of worship music including Christian rap and rock styles?
Gina,
Yes, we support all styles of worship music.
Hi there. Is there a certain age limit to be able to study at the academy? How many years do you need to study for? And how are international students qualifications recognized in the US? (I’m from the UK)
Laura,
There is no age limit for FMA. We offer 1, 2, 3, and 4 year certificates in the music academy. As far as attending the school, you would fill out the same application as domestic students. I would recommend emailing internationalstudents@ihopu.org for more information.
Do you need to play an instrument or is just being a singer ok?
David,
Yes, you may attend as a singer. The voice is a beautiful instrument to develop.
If financial aid is not available to first year students, would we be expected to pay it in full up front or would we be allowed to make payments? What are your financing options?
Chris,
Payment plans are set up with our Financial Services department on a case by case basis. I would suggest e-mailing that department: financialservices@ihopu.org.
Hi =D This might be a totally obvious question and you might sit there and laugh at it hehe butt,I was wondering because I have just started playing the guitar, if you taught us how to play music and everything there has to do with understand the musical instruments?
Hi Michael,
We have level one group classes for students who are just beginning on their instrument. Yes, we would teach you those skills.
Most of the things i learn is from faith mostly based on Kenneth Hagin. do you teach based on something like faith or others?
Ryan,
I’m not sure I completely understand your question. Our training follows the values and beliefs of IHOP-KC. You can read our Statement of Faith at the following link: http://discoverfma.com/statement-of-faith/.
Do you get training in more than one instrument?
Marcus,
Yes. All FMA students learn how to play keys or advance their keys skills. Additionally, Prophetic Worship students choose a primary instrument (Voice is considered a primary instrument) to focus on. Some students choose to change their primary between semesters at some point, giving them basic training on multiple instruments. We advise most of our students to not change their primary instrument until completing level 5 on that instrument.
Is this an accredited school? Upon finishing do you get a degree?
Hi Zachary,
No, we are not accredited. We offer 1, 2, 3, and 4 year cerificates in Music Production or Prophetic Worship.
Are students required to take the theology courses if they have already completed a degree at another Bible college?
Jennifer,
Yes, all students are required to take theology classes. Although acquired credits from other colleges and universities are considered on an individual basis, we find that most of our theology courses are unique, and the content is new for many of our students. FMA theology classes include Becoming a Prophetic Musician, The End Time Worship Movement, Songs of the Scripture, Theology of Night and Day Prayer among others.
Is there lodging/housing for students from abroad?
Hi Scott,
At this time we do not provide accomodations such as dorms for our international students. However, we do help students find roommates and have resources available for nearby rentals.
god bless you , do you teach trombone,because a play bass trombone at my church ministry in Puerto Rico
Mario, yes, we do have an instructor on staff that teaches trombone.
Also, popular instruments of study at FMA are: piano, guitar, drums, bass, strings and voice.
If you play another instrument, we may not have an instructor immediately for that instrument, but we would try to acquire a qualified one within our community.
Do you have to pay out of state tuition if you don’t live in MO?
Laura, tuition is not dependent on where you currently live, as long as you are in the United States.
Where is FMA located at?
Abby, We are in Kansas City, MO, United States