Online Music Education Degree Programs Guide
A Online Music Education Degree prepares musicians for careers in music education and other music-related fields. Emphasizing skills such as curriculum design, music theory, music history, conducting, and performance, a Master’s is a valuable tool for teaching vocal or instrumental music at the K-12 level, or teaching some university courses. A Masters in Music Education usually takes 17-24 months to complete, and is also the stepping-stone for earning a Doctorate in Music Education. Online courses also provide working music professionals with a flexible way to earn their degree.
Benefits of a Degree in Music
A Music Degree is a valuable piece of education that allows you to:
- Raise your current position and salary teaching music to K-12 students – a requirement for most programs.
- Gain access to doctorate programs in music education.
- Enhance your performance, conducting, or composition career with continued studies in music history, theory, etc.
- Create career opportunities in a music performance by learning extra information about arranging, composing, conducting, and directing.
Music Degree Courses
Courses included in Music Degree will vary depending on the individual institution. The courses listed below are a sample of common courses; consult your institution for a detailed list of courses and credit hours.
- Music Theory
- Music History
- Performance Ensemble
- Composition
- Performance-Pedagogy
- Music Curriculum Design
- Methods of Music Research
- Conducting
- Music Technology
- Musicology
Music Teacher Career Opportunities
Opportunities for a Music Degree range from performance to directing to teaching. This does not represent a complete list, but instead serves as a guide to potential careers.
- Music Teacher K-12
- Music Teacher – University Setting
- Music Historian
- Music Director
- Music Therapist
- Music Performer/Entertainer
- Composer/Arranger
- Music Conductor
- Musicologist
Music Degree Education Requirements
While many programs do not necessarily require a BA in Music to advance to a Master’s program, the most distinguished ones (such as Boston University’s School of Music) do. Check with the specific institution to determine if you are properly qualified to apply for a Master’s Degree. Also, many Music Education graduate programs can be specialized for church music, instrumental music, vocal music, or conducting, so check with the institutions for specifics.
While graduate Music Education programs require Bachelor’s degrees from accredited institutions, some require you to hold a Bachelor’s in music, while others do not, so check on the specific institution you’re interested in for more information. Some schools require a minimum GPA, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Other requirements can include a professional portfolio including performances and professional papers written on music or music education.
Music Degree Accreditation
A number of accrediting bodies exist for both teachers and music teachers. Consult with your individual program to learn more about its’ accreditation.
NASM – National Association of Schools of Music
www.nasm.arts-accredit.org
NCATE – National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education
www.ncate.org
Professional Organizations for Music Degrees
Below is a partial list of music education and musicians’ advocacy groups.
AFM – American Federation of Musicians
www.afm.org
CMS – The College Music Society
www.music.org
MENC – National Association for Music Education
www.menc.org
MTNA – Music Teachers National Association
www.mtna.org