Online Master's in Music Education Programs
Music education programs are an integral part of the elementary and primary school educational experience. Students in preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools generally take music classes either as a required part of the school day, as electives, or as afterschool enrichment activities that contribute to their emotional, intellectual, social, and creative growth and maturity. Learning about music theory, music history, and the role of music in our culture has many benefits, according to the National Association for Music Education (NAFME). Studying an instrument and learning how to play in solo and ensemble settings also contributes to broader educational advancement, helping students to develop language, reasoning, and memorization skills, as well as to improve their coordination, imagination, and cultural awareness.
Teaching music, administering music education programs, and leading marching band, orchestra, and other formal ensembles for school-age children, teenagers, and young adults requires formal training in music theory, composition, genre, and cultural history. Music instructors also need grounding in educational pedagogy, teaching proficiencies, class management strategies, and student and program assessment methodologies. Music technologies, including composition software applications and studio recording tools and techniques, are an additional part of the music educator’s knowledge base. Online Master’s in Music Education (MME) programs are designed to equip those who are passionate about music and teaching with the knowledge, skills, and proficiencies to teach and administer music programs in a wide range of PK-12 settings, as well as in community education settings and afterschool programs.
What is a Master’s in Music Education Degree?
A Master of Music in Music Education is graduate degree that prepares educators for teaching and administrative positions in the field of music education — primarily at the elementary and secondary school levels. Students in these programs learn the theories, methods, and practices associated with teaching music and designing music education programs for PK-12 students in elementary, middle, and high school settings. As part of this training, Master’s in Music Education programs incorporate training in general educational pedagogy, curriculum development practices, and assessment and evaluation methodologies.
Graduate-level training in music education typically requires students to complete practical experiences that involve working with school-age children and teenagers under the supervision of a licensed music teacher. These student-teaching hours, which may be referred to as practicums, internships, or fieldwork placements, can help prepare educators to qualify for state-administered teaching licensure or a music educator specialist endorsement, which, depending on a student’s state of residence, may be required in order to teach music in public school systems. In addition, Master’s in Music Education programs commonly include pathways for specialization in teaching music at specific grade levels, providing individualized music instruction, and/or conducting and leading bands, orchestras, choirs, and other musical ensembles in the context of primary and secondary school education.
Note: Requirements for licensure, certification, and specialized teaching endorsements vary by state. This can be an important consideration for students attending an online Master’s in Music Education program offered by a school that is not located in the state in which they intend to apply for a teaching credential. Educators considering a Master’s in Music Education degree should review their state’s credentialing requirements to determine whether a program provides sufficient didactic and practical training for licensure, certification, or endorsement in their state of residence.
Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
Online Master’s in Music Education programs are designed to provide students who prefer not to attend traditional in-person classes with the same training, knowledge, and skills as their campus-based counterparts. Students in an online program complete all or most of their didactic coursework through internet-based learning management systems (LMSs). LMS is a generic term for the multimedia instructional technology platforms schools use to deliver live and pre-recorded lectures and class sessions, as well as a full complement of additional educational resources, to online students via a secure internet connection.
While many online master’s programs in music education do not require students to attend any campus-based sessions, some online programs incorporate a limited number of on-campus instructional sessions as part of their curriculum. Online programs also typically include student-teaching requirements through internships or practicums that require online students to spend a specified number of hours in-person in an approved setting where music is taught at the elementary or secondary school level. For online programs, students typically complete their student teaching hours at a site within commuting distance to their home or place of employment.
For classification purposes, OnlineEducation.com considers a program an online program if it requires two or fewer campus visits per year. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are classified as hybrid programs and are not listed on the site. It is important to note that student teaching internships and practicums are not considered campus visits and do not factor into the classification process.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s Programs in Music Education
OnlineEducation.com identifies online Master’s in Music Education programs through rigorous research of master’s degree programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities. To be classified as an online Master’s in Music Education program, a program must provide focused training and instruction in music education principles and practices with the goal of preparing students for careers in music education. Most master’s programs in the field are designated as Master of Education (MEd), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Science (MS) in music education programs and are offered through schools and departments of education, music, or professional studies. However, some programs offered through schools of music and arts are designated as Master of Music (MM) programs.
All programs listed on the site are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. In addition, online Master’s in Music Education programs may apply for and receive programmatic accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which reviews music education master’s programs based on various criteria related to curricula and instruction. Master’s in Music Education programs, particularly programs offered through schools of education, may also be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
Core components of an online Master’s in Music Education program curricula include a survey of music history and the philosophical and theoretical foundations of music education; a critical review of research and instructional design in the field of music education; and an extensive examination of practical strategies for teaching music in elementary and secondary schools. Students also learn about the psychological aspects of music appreciation, theories of composition, genre and its relation to teaching music, and the role of technology in music education. In addition, program curricula often include general topics in PK-12 educations, such as classroom management strategies, instructional design principles, and student assessment metrics and methodologies.
Students then learn to apply these proficiencies as music teachers, through coursework and practical experiences that commonly explore the various roles of music educators, from teaching courses in the history and aesthetics of music to leading bands, orchestras, choirs, and other performance ensembles. Finally, many master’s programs require music education students to complete a master’s thesis, capstone project, or portfolio based on what they have learned in the program prior to receiving their degree.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
The table below provides a representative overview of the types of courses commonly offered as part of a master’s degree curriculum in music education. The course names and descriptions were aggregated from research into actual online Master’s in Music Education programs offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Music Education | An examination of music from philosophical and historical perspectives with a focus on the cultural importance of music and purpose, function, and reasoning for the inclusion of music instruction in general education curricula. |
| Instructional Design in Music Education | A study in the design, development, implementation, and assessment of music education programs for K-12 schools, focusing on the lesson planning process, theories of learning, pedagogical strategies, and conceptual frameworks for creating lesson plans and instructional units. |
| Research in Music Education | A survey of scholarly literature in the field of music education, the purpose and design of music education research, and how research in the field contributes to program and curriculum design, with the aim to how research studies are designed, conducted, and used to improve outcomes in music education. |
| Psychology of Music Appreciation | An exploration of how humans interact with, process, and learn to appreciate music and music performance, the interaction between composers, performers, and audiences, and the development of aesthetic appreciation of music across genres and cultures. |
| Sociological Foundations of Music and Music Education | An examination of the relationship between music creation, music education, and the role of music in creating shared cultural experiences and social bonds. |
| Sociological Foundations of Music | Explores the interdependent relationship between music, music education, and society, and its implications for teaching and learning music. |
| Western Musical Traditions | An overview of the western music tradition and formal analyses of western classical music from aesthetic and cultural perspectives. |
| Contemporary Composition and Arranging for Music Educators | A study of composition and arrangement for concert bands, orchestras, choirs, and other student ensembles, including chamber, jazz, and rock ensembles. |
| World Music | An examination of diverse musical traditions, ethnomusicology studies, and the interplay between various musical traditions in historical and contemporary composition and performance. |
| Introduction to Music Technology | An overview of music technologies, including computer-based composition and production tools and digital instrumentation, with a focus on using technology in the classroom to further musical instruction. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Music Education Programs
The baseline eligibility requirement for admission to a music education master’s degree program is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. In addition, some programs may require applicants to have prior training in music and/or education or an undergraduate major or minor in music. There are also programs that are designed for teachers who have already achieved state licensure and who are primarily interested in adding a music education specialization to their professional credentials.
Admissions materials and criteria vary by program as well. Applicants should be prepared to send academic transcripts and, if required, proof of state teaching licensure. Along with their application, applicants maybe asked to respond to one or more prompts for written responses and/or provide a written personal goals statement. Schools that have minimum GPA requirements may indicate that applicants must meet or surpass a 2.75, 3.0, or 3.5 GPA in their undergraduate program or prior graduate coursework. It is also common for programs to ask applicants to furnish two or three letters of recommendation and some programs my require applicants to submit GRE or MAT test scores, although many schools no longer require standardized test scores as part of their admissions criteria. Finally, some programs may request an in-person or video-conference interview with applicants as part of the admissions process.
Online Master’s in Music Education Format Options
Online instruction is delivered through two primary modes — synchronous and asynchronous instruction — which can impact students’ learning experiences in various ways. Online programs also have format variations that can be important considerations for students weighing their options. For example, students who want to earn their degree in two years or less should explore online programs that offer a full-time enrollment option, while working professionals who plan to continue working while earning their degree should strongly consider a part-time enrollment option. Online programs that require students to attend a limited number of in-person sessions introduce another variable that differentiates online programs. The sections below review each of these structural variations in greater depth.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: Synchronous instruction is the technical term for real-time instruction. When an online program utilizes synchronous instruction, it means that students must log on to the school’s learning management system for live-streamed class meetings and lectures that parallel the experience of attending in-person campus-based classes. Asynchronous instruction, in contrast, comprises a broad range of instruction that does not have a real-time component. Pre-recorded lectures and class modules that can be accesses 24-7 via a program’s LMS are examples of asynchronous instruction, as are readings, class projects, class assignments, and many types of exams.
Both synchronous and asynchronous instruction are effective modes of online instruction, but they engender different learning experiences. Synchronous instruction has more structure than asynchronous instruction and may be preferable for students who want learning online to feel more like attending campus-based classes. Asynchronous instruction offers less structure, but it provides greater scheduling flexibility than synchronous instruction and may be more convenient for students who have complicated schedules. While earning a master’s degree online requires self-motivation and self-discipline regardless of the method of online instruction, asynchronous instruction requires students to have strong time management skills to keep up with course materials and assignments by set due dates in the absence of weekly scheduled class meetings.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Many online programs offer both part-time and full-time enrollment options and some programs have flexible enrollment that allows students to vary their courseload as they progress through the program. Part-time graduate students typically enroll in one or two courses per term in order to free up time for additional study, work, or other personal responsibilities. Students who enroll full-time generally complete three or four courses per term and spend 40 or more hours per week on coursework when school is in session. Students should consider their personal and professional responsibilities when considering whether to attend a program part-time or full-time in order to choose an enrollment option that best meets their needs and goals.
The number of courses completed per term determines the amount of time it takes to earn an online master’s degree in music education. Full-time students can typically earn their degree in one to two years, depending on the structure of the program’s academic calendar. Part-time students typically need two to three years to earn their degree, although programs that utilize alternative academic calendars that offer accelerated courses during shorter terms (e.g., terms that are four, five, six, or eight weeks in length) can shorten the time to earn a degree. For example, a part-time online student who takes one course per 6-week term six times per year can complete a master’s curriculum in music education is as few as 18 to 24 months. Prospective applicants should review a program’s enrollment options and academic calendar to determine the average amount of time it will take to complete the program.
Campus Visits: While most online Master’s in Music Education programs do not include any campus visits, some online programs require students to attend one or two campus visits per years. Campus-based requirements, commonly referred to as residencies, intensives, or immersion sessions, can be a valuable addition to an online program. They give students a chance to meet with instructors, network with peers, and engage in hands-on learning that can be difficult to replicate online. However, campus visits can cause scheduling conflicts and add travel and lodging expenses to a program’s overall tuition costs and fees. While most online programs that require these sessions hold them over long weekends or during the summer when they are less likely to cause disruptions for their students, whether a program has campus-based requirements can be an important variable for potential applicants to consider when applying to online programs.
OnlineEducation.com lists programs that are fully online and do not require any campus visits, as well as programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year. Programs that require three or more campus visits per year are not listed on the site.