An online master’s in music education helps students to learn more about musical theory, history, and composition. In this way, it can help you achieve several personal and professional goals. Such a graduate degree is often required to teach music at middle or high school, and it is also a requirement to teach music at the college level. Once students graduate, they are qualified to become a high school music teacher (median salary of $61,820 per year) or a music professor (median salary of $77,280 per year).
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, such a degree will cost an average of $19,749, compared to the average undergraduate cost of $37,600 at a public, four-year institution. Afterward, you should be able to complete an online master’s in music education in two years if you are attending full-time, though accelerated programs are available.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Music Education Program
Choose your area of study
While an online master’s in music education may qualify you for various careers, it’s primarily designed for students who wish to teach music at the high school or college level. Therefore, the curriculum focuses on musical theory and educational pedagogy.
Carefully researching the coursework for different programs can help you discover which ones place more of an emphasis on topics such as public performance and composition, and this may help you to find an online program that best suits both your educational and career needs.
Research schools and programs
The most important thing is to research prospective universities’ accreditation status and ensure that the online degree offered is just as rigorous as its on-campus counterpart.
Additionally, the cost is a significant factor, and it’s essential students research the overall program cost to find programs best suited to their budget. It’s best to find programs where the faculty are frequently available to answer questions and provide support; you may also wish to find schools that offer mentoring or tutoring services. Finally, depending on your academic and career goals, finding programs that provide student-faculty research opportunities and career services support may be helpful.
Prepare for tests and applications
In addition to the typical required paperwork, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, most schools also require GRE scores. If you haven’t already taken the GRE, it’s important to factor in study time (some students need upwards of three months to prepare for the test) and turnaround time (it can take a few weeks to get your scores) when considering application deadlines for specific programs.
Select your program
It’s important to consideration multiple factors when selecting a program. For example, carefully consider how affordable the program is, as this can help you graduate without significant debt. You may also wish to explore whether the school and program offer online community support, as this can help you develop a professional network. Finally, while these are rarer at the graduate level, you may wish to prioritize schools offering scholarships, as this can make even the cheapest programs much more affordable.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
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How We Rank Schools
This list consists of master’s in music education programs. The most common graduate degrees in music education are a Master of Education (M.Ed) or a Master of Music (MM). Each degree has a different theoretical approach, but both prepare students for advancement in music education.
The programs we reviewed are primarily delivered online. Some programs are also offered on-campus, and students can complete their degrees with a combination of in-person and online courses.
All of the programs are offered by regionally accredited institutions, confirming that they meet high education standards. Most programs also have accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a national organization recognizing quality in music-related degree programs.
We reviewed each program based on its outcomes, faculty, flexibility, reputation, and cost. Then we assigned each program an Intelligent Score on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Music Education Program?
An online master’s in music education program will help you further your knowledge of music theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on teaching. You’ll learn how to create lesson plans that abide by state and national guidelines, utilize technology in education, and develop a pedagogy that will guide you throughout your educational career.
Full-time students can likely complete these programs within two years. Those who only attend part-time because they have a job, family, or other responsibilities may take upward of 36 credit hours to complete. Conversely, those who want to finish the program as quickly as possible may choose accelerated programs that allow them to finish in as little as 12 months. Regardless of your chosen program, you should be able to complete it entirely online without any in-person labs or on-campus residency requirements.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in music education program
- Music History Perspectives. This course is taught through the lens of the music educator. Therefore, the classes mix musical history with practical information on how that history should impact your life as a musician and your career as an educator.
- Topics in Performance. This class is designed to help make students better musical performers. As such, it focuses as much on translating abstract theories into practical “best practices” for performances as well as useful tips and tricks to create a powerful performance.
- Theory and Composition for K-12. This course emphasizes different teaching strategies that are effective at the K-12 level. Students will learn a diverse array of methods and more about crafting and sticking to a specific teaching pedagogy. It will also cover many of the technological tools that students and teachers alike now rely on for both remote and face-to-face teaching,
- Alternative Approaches to Music Education. This course helps students explore alternative approaches to providing music education to a diverse community of learners. Lessons range from the development of teaching philosophies to the administrative business of modern teaching.
Online Master’s in Music Education Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master’s in music education degree program?
Reviewing each school’s program page for specific application requirements is important. Most applications require GRE test scores and official transcripts, but others may require letters of recommendation and an application essay. Contact an admissions counselor from each program before you apply. They can provide guidance on program requirements and answer any questions you may have.
How much does an online master’s in music education degree cost?
The average tuition for an online master’s in music education from a public school is $19,314. Therefore, it’s imperative to budget for your education and, if needed, explore various financial aid opportunities.
One bit of good news for online students is that costs are much lower than they would be for an on-campus student. That’s because you won’t have to pay the extra costs and fees like housing in a university town or on-campus labs. Generally speaking, your costs will primarily consist of your tuition and the required textbooks for your courses.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s in music education degree?
Most online master’s in music education programs require around 36 credit hours. It generally takes full-time students two years to complete these programs. Students who are only attending part-time may take three years rather than two years, and students who are taking accelerated programs may be able to complete their program in as little as a year.