As a busy music educator, you may wonder if earning a master’s degree is worth the effort. An online Master of Education in Music Education offers the flexibility to meet that requirement while enhancing your skills, exploring new teaching techniques, and increasing your earning potential. In this guide, you’ll discover top online MEd in Music Education programs that can help you hit a high note in your career.
Author: Kenya McCullum
Expertise: Graduate Ed.Student SuccessOnline LearningEditor: Jordan Cosselman
- Inside Real Programs
An inside look at actual online programs, exploring their structure, curriculum, costs, admission criteria, and more…
Read more - Cost Breakdown
A clear overview of how much my degree might cost and the factors influencing total expenses…
Read more - FAQs
Insightful and guiding answers to common questions prospective students like myself have about earning this degree…
Read more - Career Options
What doors open after graduating with my master’s degree…
Read more - Resources
More resources that dive deeper into specific degree programs, student success, and more…
Read more - Top Schools
A list of the best schools currently offering the best online and hybrid master’s programs in the state…
Read more
Inside 3 Popular Online Music Education Master’s Programs
Below, we profile three accredited online master’s programs in music education offered by U.S. universities. Each overview highlights program structure, curriculum focus, delivery format, and admissions expectations to help you understand what to look for as you compare options.
Boston University — Master of Music in Music Education
Boston University’s online Master of Music in Music Education is a fully online program built around a theory-to-practice approach. Designed for working educators, the program emphasizes advanced pedagogy, music education research, and curriculum development.
The 32-credit curriculum blends coursework in research, teaching methods, music theory, and electives. Courses are delivered in intensive seven-week sessions, allowing students to take one course at a time and complete the program in as little as 18 months.
Note: This program does not lead to initial teaching licensure and is best suited for already licensed educators.
Duration: 18 to 24 months
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $1,042 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in music or music education
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Current or recent music teaching experience (recommended)
- Transcripts, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation
Kent State University — Master of Music in Music Education
Kent State University offers one of the largest online music education master’s programs in the U.S. The program is designed specifically for active K–12 music teachers and focuses on strengthening instructional practice, curriculum design, and leadership skills.
The 32-credit, part-time curriculum covers advanced teaching methods, contemporary issues in music education, and research. Courses are delivered in seven-week segments, allowing students to focus on one subject at a time. The program concludes with an individualized capstone project tied to the student’s professional interests.
Duration: 23 months
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $655 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in music education or a related field
- Teaching license or documented music teaching experience
University of Florida — Master of Music in Music Education
The University of Florida’s online Master of Music in Music Education combines research-based instruction with practical classroom strategies. The 33-credit curriculum emphasizes music pedagogy, psychology of music learning, instructional design, and the use of technology in music education.
Courses are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus and are designed for working teachers. Graduates are prepared to apply new techniques in their classrooms, pursue leadership roles, or continue on to doctoral study.
Duration: 2 to 3 years (part-time)
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $600 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in music education or music (with teaching experience)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose
Pricing the Online Music Education Master’s
Tuition for an online music education master’s degree varies by institution but is typically charged per credit hour. Most programs require 30 to 33 credits.
Public universities generally offer lower tuition than private institutions, though exceptions exist. Total tuition often ranges from $18,000 to $33,000, excluding additional fees. Many online programs keep fees minimal, and out-of-state students often pay the same rate as in-state residents.
While online students avoid relocation and commuting costs, it’s still important to budget for internet access, a reliable computer, and potential music software or instrument maintenance. Financial aid, scholarships, teacher discounts, and district tuition reimbursement programs may also be available.
| School | No. of Credits | Cost per Credit | Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | 30 | $464 | $15,240 |
| Ohio University | 30 | $508 | $13,920 |
| Eastern Washington University | 48 | $325 | $15,600 |
FAQs for Prospective Music Education Master’s Students
Q: Is an online MEd in Music Education credible and accredited?
A: Yes, as long as you choose a program at a regionally accredited college or university. Many online programs also carry specialized accreditation in education and music. For example, music education programs might be accredited by NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) and CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).
Employers recognize accredited online degrees are as valid as those earned on campus. So, be sure to verify a school’s accreditation status (usually listed on their website) before enrolling.
Q: What are the typical admissions requirements? Do I need a teaching license or music degree to apply?
A: Admissions requirements for online master’s programs vary by subject and specific program. For education master’s programs, generally, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in music education or a related field. Many programs prefer or require that you already hold a teaching license and/or have teaching experience as well.
Other common requirements include a minimum GPA (around 3.0). You’ll also need to submit a number of items with your application, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. The good news is that online MEd programs rarely require GRE scores, and many do not require auditions.
Q: Can I work full-time as a teacher while pursuing an online master’s in music education?
A: In most cases, yes. Music education master’s programs are specifically designed for working educators. In fact, the vast majority of online MEd students are full-time teachers. Courses are usually scheduled to be flexible, either in the evenings or asynchronous (meaning there are no set login times). Many programs let you take just one course at a time in an accelerated format.
Be prepared to dedicate a few evenings each the week or a chunk of time on weekends (perhaps 10 to 15 hours per week total) to coursework.
Q: Does this degree certify me to teach?
A: An online MEd in Music Education is typically not an initial teaching certification program. Programs assume that you are already a certified teacher or at least have a music teaching background, and are designed to deepen your teaching expertise.
However, if you need teacher certification, some universities offer separate certification tracks or combined MEd in Music Education and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) options. That said, earning a music education master’s can help with meeting certification requirements in some states, so be sure to check your state’s teacher licensing rules.
Q: Will a master’s in music education prepare me to continue on with my graduate studies?
A: Yes. Both music education Doctor of Education (EdD) or Specialist in Education (EdS) degrees are available, many featuring online or hybrid formats. The EdS in Music Education programs are designed primarily for music educators to enhance their knowledge and skills set to prepare for specialized and leadership positions in school music programs. The EdD in Music Education focuses on preparing graduates to take on roles in advanced research and post-secondary education.
A previously-earned music education master’s is almost always a requirement for admission into programs for both of these degree types.
Career Prospects for MEd in Music Education Graduates
A master’s in music education can lead to expanded responsibilities and higher pay. Teachers with a master’s degree earn a median annual salary of $67,000, compared to $52,500 for those with only a bachelor’s degree.
Graduates may continue teaching or move into roles such as department chair, curriculum specialist, or lead teacher. With additional certification, some music educators advance into school administration.
| Career | Projected Growth | Median Pay | Top Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Music Teachers | -2% | $62,310 | $102,010 |
| High School Music Teachers | -2% | $64,580 | $104,670 |
| Postsecondary Music Teachers | +7% | $83,980 | $199,520 |
Resources for Music Education Master’s Students & Professionals
Whether you’re currently in a music ed program or already teaching, the following resources can enrich your learning and teaching practice. From professional organizations to handy apps, explore these ten resources to expand your toolkit:
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME) — Teaching resources, lesson plan ideas, advocacy tools, research journals, a community forum, and more.
- Smithsonian Folkways: Tools for Teaching — Ready-to-use lessons (with audio recordings) that help you incorporate diverse music traditions into your curriculum.
- MusicTheory.net — Free music theory lessons, exercises, and tools.
- MuseScore — Free music notation software that allows you and your students to compose and arrange music by creating sheet music from scratch.
- Chrome Music Lab — A collection of fun, hands-on music experiments. Students can play with rhythm patterns, compose melodies using colors, experiment with sound waves, and more.
- MakeMusic — A vast library of band, orchestra, and vocal repertoire.
- After Sectionals Podcast — A candid and humorous podcast by three Texas middle school band directors discussing all things band and music education.
- The Midwest Clinic — Free clinic handouts, rehearsal technique tips, and videos from past sessions.
- Teachers Pay Teachers: Music Education — Thousands of lesson plans, activities, worksheets, and arrangements created by music teachers.
- BandLab for Education — Free cloud-based digital audio workstation specifically designed for schools that lets students create, record, and mix music online using a wide range of virtual instruments and loops.
Ranking The Best Online MEd in Music Education Programs
Below is our ranking of the best online master’s programs in music education today. Rankings are based on analysis of U.S. Department of Education data and thousands of accredited institutions. Factors include affordability, accreditation, academic quality, and student support services such as advising, tutoring, and career resources.
Use this list as a comparison tool and consider which program elements matter most for your teaching goals and career plans.