Online Master’s in Music Education Programs

It’s a big step to decide you want to pursue an online master’s in music education. But the next step could be even bigger: picking a program, preferably one that aligns with your interests.

For example, if you see yourself teaching choral music at the high school level, you may want to find a program offering a concentration or emphasis in that area.

Fortunately, there are a lot of options. But how do you make sense of all the choices? Let’s help you compare from the most popular options on the internet.

We chose to highlight the following schools based on several factors, including top position in organic or paid search results (as of August 2023), relevancy of program offerings, and categorization as a nonprofit. These programs are listed alphabetically by school and not weighed against each other in our methodology.

A master’s in music education is a graduate program for musicians and music educators. These degrees often focus on growing students’ musical knowledge and teaching skills. They prepare students for careers in teaching, academic research, and administration.

Master’s in music education programs go by different names and acronyms (e.g., MMEd, MusM, MMus) but share a similar curriculum. Common degree types include:

Many master’s in music education programs have a balance of core and elective courses in areas such as music theory, musicology, and curriculum development. Many schools offer the degree through a music school or an education department.

Earning a master’s degree in music education often involves a capstone project, such as a research-based thesis, a creative project, or a digital portfolio. Capstone projects help measure students’ growth and development.

Some programs allow students to choose a concentration within their field of study. Concentrations at Ball State University include music performance, conducting, woodwinds, and music history and musicology. The University of Georgia’s emphasis areas are general, choral, and instrumental music.

An online master’s in music education takes 1-3 years, and runs anywhere from 30 credits to 40+. The timeline may change depending on your time commitment (part-time or full-time), curriculum, and program.

For example, Eastern Washington University’s online master of music education program is 48 credits and you can complete it in as few as 12 months. However, Ball State University’s online master of music education program is 30 credits and offers a two-year completion option.

A full-time student can finish a master’s faster because of the credit load. But attending school full time may require putting a pause on your career. A part-time student may take classes at a slower pace, but can continue working.

The average tuition and fees for an online master’s in education and teaching in 2020 cost $8,155, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Online master’s degrees can be cheaper than on-campus degrees because they save students money on travel and room and board costs. Some programs offer online tuition rates that save money for out-of-state students.

If you enroll in a nationally or regionally accredited institution, federal aid is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants, scholarships, and work-study jobs can help pay for school.

Admissions to graduate programs can be tough, so it’s important to know if you meet the requirements. To apply for most online master’s in music education programs, you need:

But, admission requirements vary by program, especially if your goal after graduation is to be an educator. Some programs may ask for additional application materials, such as a teaching license or certification, scholarly writing samples, or an academic portfolio.

Some online master’s in music education programs provide examples of a strong or ideal candidate. For example, a competitive applicant to Boston University’s or the University of Florida’s MM program has the following:

Accreditation is important for music education master’s programs. Academic quality, financial aid, and music education standards are a few reasons why it matters.

Choosing a school with accreditation verifies that it upholds strict academic standards and meets educational requirements. Students also can’t receive financial aid if their school isn’t accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Another type of accreditation is programmatic accreditation. Programmatic accreditation monitors the quality of specific programs and how well they prepare students for their careers.

Though it’s not a must-have, choosing a master’s in music education program with programmatic accreditation is another way to show future employers that you have a top-tier education.

There are three types of programmatic accreditation agencies involved with music programs and teaching:

A master’s in music education gives you more career flexibility. You can teach a different grade, qualify for more senior positions, or become a private tutor. A master’s can also be a stepping stone to a doctorate.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment in educational instruction to match the growth of all occupations from 2022-2032. The BLS projects little to no change for music directors, who earned a median salary of $62,940 in 2022.

Postsecondary instruction is one of the most promising teaching roles but often requires a doctorate. The BLS projects an 8% growth for postsecondary instructors ($80,840 median salary in 2022). However, some community colleges hire teachers with a master’s degree.

Earning a master’s in music education comes with many benefits. It can improve your teaching skills, lead to more music career or education career opportunities, and expand your professional network. Musicians can enhance their credentials.

Having a master’s deepens your music education knowledge and can lead to more senior positions. It can also connect you with professors and other professionals who can help students find work after graduation.

While balancing work and school is time-consuming, it can be helpful in the long run. Many graduate students take what they learn in their program and apply it to their classroom. They can see the results, big or small, and continue to improve their skills leading up to graduation.

You should consider pursuing a master’s in music education online if you…