Online Master’s in Music Education Programs

Explore the most popular online master's in music education programs, including in areas like K-12 and choir teaching.
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Updated on November 3, 2023
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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.

Featured Online Master's in Music Education Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Popular Master's in Music Education Online Programs

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.

Popular Master's in Music Education Online Programs
School Degree Offered Cost per Credit Required Credits Months to Complete GRE Required Prior Teaching Experience
Ball State University MM $451 (in-state), $676 (out-of-state) 30 24 or more No Required
Boston University MM $955 32 18-24 No Preferred
Eastern Washington University MM $300 48 12 or more No Preferred
University of Florida MM $600 33 24 or more No Preferred
University of Georgia MMEd $629 33 14-24 No Required

Ball State University (BSU)

  • Public university in Indiana
  • Online Master of Music in Music Education
  • 30 credits | $451-676 /credit

Ball State University's online MM program focuses on K-12 music education. Courses include music history, music theory, and music performance. Virtual mentorships and professional conferences are available for field-based experience.

Capstone options include a research thesis, creative project, or cognate paper. Enrolling requires prior teaching experience.

Visit BSU's Program Page . External link

Boston University (BU)

  • Private, nonprofit university in Massachusetts
  • Online Master of Music in Music Education
  • 32 credits | $955 /credit

Boston University's online MM degree prepares students to think critically about music education and create positive educational experiences. BU offers 16 electives, including contemporary issues in music education and community music perspectives.

The program does not lead to teacher licensure. Competitive applicants will have recent or current teaching experience.

Visit BU's Program Page . External link

Eastern Washington University (EWU)

  • Public university in Washington
  • Online Master of Music in Music Education
  • 48 credits | $300 /credit

Eastern Washington University's online MM curriculum covers music history, theory, performance, composition, and educational foundations. It also explores how to approach music education with critical and creative thinking and understand the impact of diverse populations and culture on music teaching.

The program culminates with an independent project highlighting growth, knowledge, and abilities. Prior teaching experience is not a requirement.

Visit EWU's Program Page . External link

University of Florida (UF)

  • Public university in Florida
  • Online Master of Music in Music Education
  • 33 credits | $600 /credit

The University of Florida's online MM degree provides a comprehensive overview of the latest teaching methods and theory in music education. Courses include the psychology of music, assessing music learning, and creative thinking in music.

UF students finish with a capstone project related to their specific coursework and professional interests. Previous teaching experience is an admission requirement.

Visit UF's Program Page . External link

University of Georgia (UGA)

  • Public university in Georgia
  • Online Master of Music Education
  • 33 credits | $629 /credit

The University of Georgia's online MMEd focuses on enhancing practitioner and research skills. UGA's curriculum covers research, music theory, psychology of music, world music pedagogy, conducting, and more. Emphasis areas in general music education, choral, and instrumental music are available. The degree leads to T-5 level Georgia Teaching Certification in music.

Visit UGA's Program Page . External link

What Is a Master's in Music Education?

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:

  • Master of Music (MM) in Music Education
  • Master of Music Education (MMEd)
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education

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.

How Long Does an Online Master's in Music Education Take?

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.

How Much Does an Online Master's in Music Education Cost?

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.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master's Degree in Music Education?

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:

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    Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Check Circle
    Unofficial and official transcripts
  • Check Circle
    Letters of recommendation
  • Check Circle
    Statement of purpose
  • Check Circle
    Résumé or CV with relevant experience

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:

  • Bachelor's degree in music or music education from an accredited institution
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Teaching experience

Does Accreditation Matter for Music Education Master's Programs?

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:

Accreditation of Popular Online Master's in Music Education Programs
School Institutional Accreditation Programmatic Accreditation
BSU Higher Learning Commission NASM
BU New England Commission of Higher Education NASM
EWU Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities NASM
UF Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges NASM, CAEP
UGA Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges NASM

What Can You Do With a Master's in Music Education?

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.

Popular Careers Related to Music Education
Job Title Median Pay (2022) Career Outlook (2022-2032) Minimum Degree Required
Elementary School Music Teacher $61,620 1% Bachelor's Degree
High School Music Teacher $62,360 1% Bachelor's Degree
Postsecondary Music Instructor $80,840 8% Master's Degree
Musician $39.14 (per hour) 1% N/A
Music Director $62,940 1% Bachelor's Degree
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Are the Benefits of a Master's in Music Education?

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.

Why Get a Master's in Music Education Online?

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

  • Currently work as a music educator
  • Prefer to learn without taking time off
  • Thrive with independent study and projects

Online Music Education Programs vs. On-Campus Music Education Programs

Online

  • More flexible schedules
  • Asynchronous and synchronous courses
  • Video lectures
  • Less expensive
  • Better for music production, business, songwriting

On-Campus

  • More rigid schedules
  • Face-to-face interaction
  • Collaborative engagement with colleagues and professors
  • More expensive
  • Better for studying performance and composition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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