Best Online Master’s in Music Education
An online master of music education is a graduate degree that can prepare you to teach music at various levels and take on leadership roles in the field. A typical program covers music theory, pedagogy, technology, and research. Online programs offer added flexibility that can make it easier to earn your degree while you work.
If you’re a musician looking to expand your career opportunities, a master’s in music education can help open the door to teaching, conducting, and composing roles. Teachers at the K-12 level can consider music education master’s degrees to increase their earning potential.
This guide explores what to expect from a typical online master of music education program, including popular courses and specializations. Discover potential careers and salaries for graduates.
Best Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled55,781
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,790
- Out-of-state$28,830
- In-State$8,878
- Out-of-state$25,186
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate40%
- Students Enrolled40,118
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$58,560
- Out-of-state$58,560
- In-State$58,560
- Out-of-state$58,560
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled36,104
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,935
- Out-of-state$21,204
- In-State$6,956
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled40,542
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico State University
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,041
- Out-of-state$22,507
- In-State$4,981
- Out-of-state$17,330
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled13,904
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Tarleton State University
- Stephenville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,416
- Out-of-state$14,208
- In-State$4,356
- Out-of-state$11,718
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled13,995
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,581
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled19,038
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Kent State University at Kent
- Kent, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,000
- Out-of-state$19,876
- In-State$11,766
- Out-of-state$21,952
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled26,597
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
University at Buffalo
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$24,990
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled32,332
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Did You Know…
Research suggests that high school students who take music classes perform better in math and science than those who do not.
What to Expect From a Music Education Graduate Program
Online master of music education programs can help you develop advanced knowledge and skills in teaching music. Graduates can teach music at the K-12 and postsecondary levels and pursue administrative and supervisory positions in the field. Music education graduate programs focus on music technology, curriculum development, music theory and composition, and music history.
A typical online music education master’s degree takes 1.5-2 years for full-time students to complete and requires 30-32 credits. The curriculum usually includes classes like introduction to music technology, contemporary issues in music education, history of musical styles, and seminar in music history. Concentrations may include instrumental music, choral music, and general music.
Online music education programs may hold programmatic accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music.
Popular Courses
Curriculum in Music Education
Students learn to develop class sequences for various groups of students, taking into account social, psychological, historical, and theoretical issues. Other topics include the implementation and assessment of curricula.
Music Technology Pedagogy
This course explores how teachers can use technology to provide music instruction. Topics include music technology teaching skills, the theory of using technologies to teach music, and the ways to design music curricula that incorporate technology.
Research in Music Education
This class teaches you how to find, understand, and analyze research relevant to music education. You also get experience applying music research to practice. The course also introduces research design in music teaching.
Capstone Project in Music Education
This class usually occurs in the last semester of an online master’s in music education program. Each student designs a final project or portfolio that combines the knowledge and skills developed throughout the program. The capstone usually addresses a real-world issue in contemporary music education to provide real-world skills and a project to show future employers.
Psychology of Music
The psychology of music explores psychological theories that underpin the human relationship to music. You can use your understanding of music psychology to improve your teaching practice.
Degree and Specialization Options
Schools offer various master’s degree options in music education. You may find programs that offer a master of music (MM), M.Ed., MS, or MA degree in music education. These master’s degrees can prepare you to teach music, but they may focus on different aspects of music education or take different approaches.
An MS or MA may be more likely to require a thesis and focus on research. An M.Ed. or MM, on the other hand, might devote more time to theories and practices of teaching, requiring a capstone project instead of a thesis.
Some online master’s in music education offer concentrations that allow you to focus on an area of interest. Explore three popular specializations below.
Instrumental Music Concentration
An instrumental music concentration focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to teach music typically performed by bands and/or orchestras. Classes for this specialization include advanced instrumental conducting and instrumental music techniques and materials.
Choral Music Concentration
If you want to teach music that includes singing, consider a choral music emphasis. This concentration requires classes like choral methods, advanced choral conducting, and choral music literature.
General Concentration
Master’s in music education programs that offer a general concentration usually prepare students to teach choral and instrumental music instead of making them choose a specific field. You’ll take a broad variety of classes in a general concentration.
Graduation Requirements
Specific graduation requirements for online master’s in music education programs vary by school. However, most programs require a minimum number of core and elective courses, along with a final capstone or portfolio project.
A capstone lets students complete a hands-on project that incorporates and synthesizes the skills and knowledge gained during the program. A portfolio is another way to showcase to employers what you’ve learned throughout your degree.
What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Music Education?
An online master of music education degree can prepare you for various careers teaching music or taking on other leadership roles in the field, like conductor or composer. If you want to work in a K-12 school, you will likely need a teaching license.
In general, there isn’t a lot of growth in this field, but you may find more job openings for postsecondary music teachers than in other areas. College-level teachers also earn higher salaries than most of the other potential careers in this field. If you want to teach at a university, you’ll likely need to earn a Ph.D., but community colleges hire applicants with master’s degrees.
Below, we describe some popular occupations in the music education field.
Postsecondary Music Teachers
Postsecondary music teachers provide instruction to students at community colleges and universities. Typical duties include creating instructional plans, teaching lessons, and assessing students.
- Required Education/Licensure: Master’s degree or Ph.D.
- Median Annual Salary: $80,840
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +8%
Kindergarten and Elementary School Music Teachers
These professionals teach music in elementary schools. They plan lessons, present information, grade student assignments and performances, and enforce classroom rules. They might direct school orchestras or bands and need to plan recitals.
- Required Education/Licensure: Bachelor’s degree and state teaching license (for public school teachers)
- Median Annual Salary: $61,620
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +1%
Middle School Music Teachers
Middle school music teachers teach students in grades 6-8. They plan lessons, provide instruction, and assess students to prepare them for high school. These instructors might direct a school orchestra or band and need to plan recitals.
- Required Education/Licensure: Bachelor’s degree and teaching license
- Median Annual Salary: $61,810
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +1%
Music Directors and Composers
Music directors, or conductors, lead groups of musicians in performances, while composers write and arrange music. Music directors work with choirs, orchestras, bands, and other groups in schools, churches, and other community settings. Some music directors and composers teach in private lessons.
- Required Education/Licensure: Varies but may require abachelor’s or master’s degree
- Median Annual Salary: $62,940
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +1%
Choosing the Right Online Master’s in Music Education
Many factors will determine the right online master’s in music education program for you. Consider the following characteristics to help you make the right decision about where to earn your degree.
- Accreditation: It’s important to choose a school with institutional accreditation. This voluntary credential indicates the school meets minimum academic standards and that you can get a good education. Some of the best master’s in music education programs may also hold programmatic accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the National Association of Schools of Music. If you plan to earn a teaching license, you might need a programmatically accredited degree.
- Cost/Financial Aid: Research your total estimated cost and figure out how much you can afford to spend on your degree. Does the school offer financial aid? What is your projected return on investment?
- Location: Even if you choose an online program, school location can matter if you need to meet any in-person requirements or plan to use on-campus student resources.
Paying for an Online Master’s in Music Education
Paying for a graduate degree can seem intimidating, but you might be surprised how many potential financing options might be open to you. We describe some popular ways to help pay for an online master’s in music education below.
Scholarships are the gold standard of financial aid and essentially “free money” that you don’t need to pay back. You can find scholarships from several sources, including your school, foundations, corporations, and membership groups. Organizations award scholarships based on academic achievement or other criteria
Similarly to scholarships, grants do not typically require repayment. While scholarships are often merit-based, grants are typically based on need. Your eligibility may also be based on other factors in addition to financial need. You can find grants from the federal and state governments, your school, and nonprofit organizations.
Student loans are a type of financial aid that you pay back with interest. You can get public loans from the federal government or private loans from private lenders. If you need to take out student loans to help pay for your degree, try to get federal loans, which offer potential benefits like lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans.
Graduate students can often get a teaching or research assistantship with their department. In exchange for teaching an undergraduate class or performing research for a professor, you may earn a stipend and a full or partial tuition reimbursement.
If you apply for financial aid, you might find out you qualify for the federal work-study program, which lets you earn money for your degree while in school. The program matches you with a part-time job where you can earn at least minimum wage.
Questions About Getting a Master of Music Education Online
What are the benefits of getting an online master of music education?
Getting an online master of music education is a flexible and convenient way to advance your career as a music teacher. Most programs allow you to keep working while earning your degree.
Do I need a master’s in music education to become a music teacher?
It depends on what type of music teacher you want to become. If you want to teach at the college or university level, you likely need at least a master’s in music education. You don’t necessarily need a master’s degree to become a private music teacher or to teach music in K-12 schools, but it can potentially open the door to better jobs and higher salaries.
How long does it take to finish a master’s in music education?
An online master’s in music education takes about 1.5-2 years for full-time students to complete. If you attend part-time or need more time to finish a thesis project, it might take longer for you to graduate.
Do I have to be licensed or certified to teach music if I have a degree?
It depends on what type of teacher you want to become. If you plan to work at a public K-12 school, you usually need a state-issued teaching license. If you want to teach privately or at the postsecondary level, you don’t need a license.
Is an online music education master’s worth it?
An online master’s degree in music education can be a worthwhile venture if you want to gain advanced skills and qualify for better career opportunities in the music education field. Before enrolling in a program, consider your professional aspirations and whether this degree can help you meet your goals.
