Masters in Music
Education Online

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-music-education-online/">Music Education Online</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 University of Florida Tigert Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611	$10,770	88%
#2 University of Georgia Administration Building, Athens, Georgia 30602	$8,878	87%
#3 Rutgers University 83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901	$17,736	84%
#4 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455	$17,580	83%
#5 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215	$56,854	88%
#6 University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620	$8,350	75%
#7 University at Buffalo 12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260	$11,310	75%
#8 Colorado State University 102 Administration Building, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523	$10,520	70%
#9 East Carolina University East 5th Street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858	$4,749	66%
#10 University of Northern Iowa 1227 W 27th St, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614	$9,159	67%
#11 Georgia College & State University 231 W Hancock Street, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061	$5,292	64%
#12 San Jose State University One Washington Square, San Jose, California 95192	$7,176	64%
#13 Florida International University 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199	$8,912	63%
#14 Texas Tech University Broadway and University Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79409	$6,788	61%
#15 University of North Carolina, Greensboro 1400 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402	$5,219	59%
#16 University of Hawaii, Manoa 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822	$15,600	61%
#17 University of Nebraska, Kearney 2504 9th Avenue, Kearney, Nebraska 68849	$6,216	56%
#18 University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive # 0001, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406	$8,786	49%
#19 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515	$7,935	47%
#20 University of West Georgia 1601 Maple St, Carrollton, Georgia 30118	$4,338	45%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-music-education-online/">Music Education Online</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Tarleton State University 1333 W. Washington, Stephenville, Texas 76401	$4,248	49%
#2 University of West Georgia 1601 Maple St, Carrollton, Georgia 30118	$4,338	45%
#3 East Carolina University East 5th Street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858	$4,749	66%
#4 University of North Carolina, Greensboro 1400 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402	$5,219	59%
#5 Stephen F. Austin State University 2008 Alumni Drive, Rusk 206, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961	$5,262	52%
#6 Georgia College & State University 231 W Hancock Street, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061	$5,292	64%
#7 Northern State University 1200 S Jay St, Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401	$5,939	48%
#8 University of Nebraska, Kearney 2504 9th Avenue, Kearney, Nebraska 68849	$6,216	56%
#9 Eastern Illinois University 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920	$7,503	53%
#10 Adams State University 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, Colorado 81101	$7,830	30%
#11 Illinois State University North and School Streets, Normal, Illinois 61790	$7,892	70%
#12 Bowling Green State University 220 McFall Ctr, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403	$8,017	61%
#13 University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620	$8,350	75%
#14 Campbellsville University 1 University Dr, Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718	$8,473	36%
#15 University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive # 0001, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406	$8,786	49%
#16 University of Northern Iowa 1227 W 27th St, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614	$9,159	67%
#17 Anderson University 316 Boulevard, Anderson, South Carolina 29621	$10,140	67%
#18 Colorado State University 102 Administration Building, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523	$10,520	70%
#19 University of Florida Tigert Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611	$10,770	88%
#20 University of Hawaii, Manoa 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822	$15,600	61%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Apart from developing their own skills in Music and an appreciation for the arts, a Master’s in Music Education helps students and educators build on instructor skills while furthering their understanding of Music Education. It also prepares students to teach others how to better express themselves, handle their emotions, and understand people, cultures, and communities better. No doubt, graduates also go on to become deep thinkers, dynamic teachers, and innovative leaders as well, in various career settings.

Masters in Music Education Degree Types

There are predominantly two types of Master’s in Music Education – a Master of Music (MM) in Music Education and a Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education. Although some colleges offer other Master’s programs, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Music Education, these are uncommon and often non-accredited programs.

Specializations in Masters in Music Education Programs

While a Master’s in Music Education online can help students take up careers in various settings, specializations and concentrations help them enter exclusive and specific sectors in the Music or Music Education industries. Some options of these include but are not limited to:

• Master of Music online
• Master’s in Conducting online
• Master of Music Teaching
• Music History
• Performance Practice
• Music Education and Leadership
• Special Music Education
• Music Pedagogy Courses
• Organizing and Teaching Elementary Music
• Organizing and Teaching Music in General Education
• Advanced Techniques in Choral Music
• Advanced Techniques Instrument Methods
• Special Topics in Music Education Technology: Notation with Sibelius
• Community Music Perspectives
• Music Administration
• Psychology and Sociology in Music Education: Perspectives and Applications
• Power, Marginalization, and Privilege in Music Education
• History and Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice
• Toward a 21st-Century Aesthetic of Musicking
• An Ethnographic Exploration of African Musical Cultures
• Traditions in African American Vernacular Music

Some colleges allow students to take up specializations in non-music disciplines, such as Psychology of Learning, Educational Methods, Pedagogy, and more.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Music Education Online Programs

Most online music degree courses are designed to cater to theoretical, practical, research, and application aspects of Music Education. Curricula of these degrees usually blend advanced musical study with contemporary teaching methods and build skills in incorporating technology into pedagogy, all of which can help graduates develop exciting and engaging lesson plans while inspiring students to learn better. The curriculum of a Master’s in Music Education online program typically includes courses and modules such as:

• Music Technology Pedagogy
• Music Theory
• Introduction to Research in Music Education
• Research Design in Music Education
• Music History
• Assessment and Policy
• Curriculum and Supervision
• Instructional Design in Music Education
• Social and Historical Foundations of American Music Education
• Trends and Issues in Music Education
• Pedagogical Efficacy
• Applied Project in Music Education
• Applied Action
• Introduction to Early Childhood Music Education
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Curriculum in Music Education: Vision and Design
• American Music
• Analytical Techniques
• Orchestration
• Jazz and Popular Arranging
• Music in Special Education

In addition to traditional courses, there is a long list of electives to choose from, some of which are:

• Practicum in Supervising and Directing Education and Research
• Music Technology Pedagogy
• Psychology of Music
• Behavior Modification
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Music Perception and Cognition
• Digital Music Education
• Music Bibliography
• Empowering Song: Music with Body, Mind, and Heart
• Descriptive Research in Music
• Experimental Research in Music
• Seminar in Music Therapy

Depending on the program, students may also have to take up directed individual study and comprehensive exams or submit a thesis.

Graduates of Master’s in Music Education online programs acquire a host of skills that will enable them to:

• Teach Music in K-12 or postsecondary schools
• Be part of or conduct orchestras
• Work with record labels and recording studios
• Design curriculum and programs in Music for students
• Compose tunes
• Sing or play instruments
• Examine ways to use Music in therapy.

Accreditation for Masters in Music Education Online Programs

Accreditation is a very important aspect when choosing a Master’s in Music Education online. This is because for most roles in the Music Industry and beyond, only accredited degrees are accepted for employment. For example, specialized accreditation is required for graduates who wish to work in education settings as licensed instructors or teachers.

In the United States, the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM) is the country’s largest and only accrediting body for Music Education. Established in 1924 to help schools build standards for music educators, the agency currently represents some 639 accredited institutional members, including schools, colleges, conservatories, and universities. Accreditation by the NASM adds immense value and prestige to programs and colleges.

Since the NASM is the only authorized body in the United States to provide credentials to music educators, students who wish to do their Master’s in Music Education online are advised to check if their program of choice is accredited by the NASM.

Timeline for graduation from Masters in Music Education Online Programs

As with Master’s programs in several other disciplines, a Master’s in Music Education online takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to complete. Credit-wise, most programs require 30 to 46 credits. But since online programs generally bring with them flexibility, for working professionals, in particular, students are often allowed to take up to 5 years to complete their degree.

Masters in Music Education Online Programs Admission Requirements

Regardless of the Master’s program one is applying to, any aspiring student is quite obviously required to fulfill certain admission criteria to be successfully accepted into a program. In common practice, students of a Master’s in Music Education online are expected to meet the following requirements:

Basic

• Application Form with Application Fee
• Official Undergraduate Academic Transcripts
• A Résumé outlining Academic, Volunteer, and Professional Achievements
• Letters of Recommendation
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 and above

Additional

Some colleges may ask applicants to meet one or all of the following additional requirements as well:

• An Audition
• An Interview
• Prior Academic Research
• Standardized Test Scores (GRE or GMAT)
• Statement of Purpose

Specific

1. With most colleges and, in particular most Master’s in Music Education programs, applicants are generally required to have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music, specifically Music Education, from an accredited University. Applicants who do not have such a degree may be required to take up certain prerequisite courses, which vary by college.
2. Most programs will require a prior work experience of at least two or more years as a music instructor, the most common role being that of a music teacher.
3. Students may also have to have to submit a Personal Essay. However, unlike Personal Essays written for other Graduate programs, a Master’s in Music Education would require the student to outline and demonstrate advanced knowledge of Music, including music theory, music history, composition, etc.

Important: Always read the college’s admission requirements or the program guide for exact information on admission criteria, as they vary by college and program.

To do a Master’s in Music Education without Bachelors is nearly impossible, as programs require prior knowledge of Music and certain core subjects such as pedagogy to have been learned. However, there is a hand full of colleges that have Certificate programs, which are similar to a Master’s in Music Education, but not quite the same. These programs tend not to be accredited and are better suited for those who want to become private tutors of Music or wish to serve a personal interest in Music simply.

Educational costs continue to increase year after year, necessitating the quest for new sources of funding. Although the tuition fee of a Master’s in Music Education online program varies greatly depending on the college and program where one enrolls, it is not a cheap endeavor. Students may thus finance their cost of music education in a variety of ways, such as:

For an in-depth look into other funding mechanisms, students should read the best Financial Guide.

Graduates of a Master’s in Music Education online generally go on to take up jobs in the teaching profession, as this degree prepares them for a variety of careers in Music Education. Some of the primary roles graduates commonly engage in are:

• Elementary School Music Teacher
• High School Music Teacher
• Postsecondary Music Teacher
• Musician

However, teaching is not the only career option available to graduates of a Master’s in Music Education. Several other jobs are equally, if not more rewarding, or simply cater to a specific personal interest or professional goal. Examples of some such jobs are:

• Music Director
• Choral Director
• Band Director
• Worship Pastor
• Director of Teaching and Learning
• Non-Profit Music Program Director
• Curriculum Developer
• Instructional Designer
• Music Therapist

As far as salary is concerned, the two huge determining factors of how much one earns with a Master’s in Music Education are – location and experience. Certain school districts that are well-off will certainly pay more than others that aren’t. And of course, age, exposure, and experience largely influence salary as well. Here is a small list of occupations in the Music and Music Education industry, along with their median annual salary, to present a general idea:

• Elementary School Music Teacher: $62, 483
• Middle School Music Teacher: $65,594
• High School Music Teacher: $49,684
• Radio Music Director: $45,870
• Worship Pastor: $44,499
• Orchestra Director: $67,321
• Music Therapist: $56,836

(Source: ZipRecruiter)

Note: the figures above are national averages. Salaries greatly vary from state to state, especially in the teaching profession.

Along with a Master’s in Music Education online degree, it is common practice for Music Teachers to acquire additional certifications for teaching in a school environment. This is why students should always conduct their independent research to understand what is required of them for seeking employment in the teaching line or other sectors.

With a majority of Master’s in Education programs, students are prepared for state-specific teaching licensure, as well as certifications from organizations such as the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). The most common certification and licensing requirement for Music Education graduates to teach is the Praxis Test by Educational Testing Service (ETS). But teacher certification and licensure practices for Music Educators vary by state and should therefore always be researched.

Additional resources for a Master’s in Music Education online students or Music Education Professionals can help identify new trends in the music industry, research and develop innovative methods of teaching, and meet like-minded peers with whom to share ideas and information. Some resources that help with all of this and more are:

1. Music Teachers National Association
   The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) is the go-to place for students of a Master’s in Music Education who are interested in the teaching profession or for professionals who are already Music Educators. Membership to the Association provides access to additional benefits such as Certification, Publications, Consultation, Teacher Enrichment Grants and Insurance, and more.
2. Teaching-Certification.com
   Teaching-Certfication.com is a website that offers a wealth of information for teachers who require certifications and licensure to work in schools.
3. National Association for Music Education
   The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) offers virtual teaching and learning resources for Music Educators, apart from blogs, news, publications, journals, and research papers.
4. Save The Music Foundation
   Save The Music Foundation claims to have the best online music education resources and experiences for students, teachers, and parents. From advocating for Music in schools to virtual teaching and learning, and fostering creativity in the digital music classroom, Save The Music seems to do a lot in the area of Music Education.
5. Smartmusic
   Smartmusic has resources for students, parents, and educators, including blogs, lesson plans, podcasts, social media groups, teaching tools, and practice tools.