Music is perhaps the best form of emotional and creative expression. It can stir the heart, soothe the soul, complement our moods, and even drive away from the blues! Music also affects our thinking, learning, and cognitive skills, from sunrise years to sunset ones. Be it just proficiency in one instrument or the ability to teach Music to others, the field of Music is far and wide enough to cater to every individual’s varied likings. A Master’s in Music Education online goes a long way in helping working professionals and educators improve their knowledge and understanding of Music and its many approaches. A Music Master’s degree also enables graduates to teach Music in elementary, middle, and high schools; lead or be part of bands, choruses, or orchestras; offer private tutoring, or even become professional musicians themselves.
A good online program in Music Education should present students with an opportunity to work and study simultaneously. A Master’s in Music Education online does just that – gives students the ability to further their existing knowledge on Music while not having to give up their jobs to do so. Other important factors, such as the experience and quality of the faculty, structure of the program, the reputation of the Institute, and cost, have also to be considered when choosing the best Music Education graduate programs. Here are a few, based on these and other factors:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-music-education-online/">Music Education Online</a>
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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
Contrary to popular belief, a Master’s in Music Education online program can be as expensive as most other Master’s programs in other disciplines. Therefore, affordability is a key deciding factor for most students. Keeping the quality of the program in mind, and a host of other criteria, the list below details some of the most affordable online Masters in Music Education:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-music-education-online/">Music Education Online</a>
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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
So, the question to ask is, “What is a Master’s in Music?”
Just as Music is a form of expression, Music Education is a passion, which engages an individual in his or her love of Music while also building up their keenness and enthusiasm to pass their musical knowledge on to their pupils or perform in front of audiences, or simply play multiple roles in the music industry.
A Master’s in Music (also known as Master’s in Music Education) teaches students how to train future musicians through a combination of teaching pedagogy and music-centric coursework and deepens their own understanding of Music and Music Education. In most cases, Music Theory, the Social Influence of Music in Cultures and Communities, and the History of Music are also covered in Music Education curricula.
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.
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.
A Master of Music in Music Education (MM degree) is structured to help licensed and experienced music teachers improve their teaching and research skills. This program prepares teachers for academic leadership positions in curriculum design, mentorship, and study, through the focus on general, choral, or instrumental Music, along with pedagogy and application.
A Master of Arts or MA in Music Education is one of the many concentrations from the larger Arts and Humanities stream. This degree emphasizes the finer aspects and nuances of Music, more from an artistic and creative perspective. Typically, MA students are required to undertake original research and submit a thesis for graduation.
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:
Some colleges allow students to take up specializations in non-music disciplines, such as Psychology of Learning, Educational Methods, Pedagogy, and more.
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:
In addition to traditional courses, there is a long list of electives to choose from, some of which are:
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:
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.
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.
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
Additional
Some colleges may ask applicants to meet one or all of the following additional requirements as well:
Specific
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:
Scholarships usually do not require students to repay the money awarded. They are one of the most common ways to fund advanced Education and are relatively easy to obtain. (Always be careful of the several Scholarship Scams that are doing the rounds.)
Grants are typically provided by the federal, state, or private sectors to cover the cost of tuition or other related student expenses, such as study materials, transportation, and equipment.
Federal Loans and Private Loans are good options to consider as well. But students should bear in mind that Loans are handed out on the condition of payment of interest, which, while reducing the burden of raising money for Education, can add to the overall cost.
It may be possible for students to be employed by the college, as regular ‘employees’. Such employment, if available, is usually part-time but can help in reducing the cost of Education to some considerable extent.
For an in-depth look into other funding mechanisms, students should read the best Financial Guide.
A Master’s in Music Education degree provides the knowledge and expertise required for students to teach Music or become professionals in any field of Music and Music Education.
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:
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:
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:
(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:
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