Masters in Music Education Online

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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:

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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

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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:

Link to this Page

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Working on Campus

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.

FAFSA

(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an initiative by the Federal Government that supports students based on their financial background and needs. A complete look at FAFSA is available here.

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.

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.