Music Education Best University Master's Degree Programs

Given the specialization and mastery that a career in music demands, almost if not all Music Education Master's programs will require students to have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in music or related fields. The rigor of musical theory and performance limits what bachelor's degrees are compatible with it, unlike an MBA, which is significantly more flexible. Some of the most commonly accepted bachelor's degrees include:

• Music
• Conducting
• Music History
• Composition

Additionally, many students come from bachelor's programs that focus on specific instruments within an ensemble, chamber, and orchestra settings, and these can lead a variety of careers for those interested in pursuing music.

A Master's degree in Music Education will more often than not fall within a university's music department. Because of the high degree of specialization in music, each department will ask for different admissions requirements.

Some schools will ask students for their GRE (Graduate Records Examination) but many replace it with a standardized test in musical knowledge to better gauge a prospective student's mastery. Furthermore, many music schools invite students to audition for all the degrees they offer.

Some programs require that prospective students already possess a teaching license in at least one state for admission. Proof of two to three years of music teaching experience may also be required in the form of letters of recommendation and other such transcripts. Be sure to carefully review each program's requirements to ensure you can successfully provide all the information.

There are many music programs around the country, each with a unique approach to music education. Choosing one may be difficult, so here are a few things to consider before applying to one. If you are interested in participating in a university orchestra, ensemble, or musical theater group, be sure to look at the options offered by the schools you will be applying to. Many schools have nationally recognized student orchestras and bands, where you get to work with the top up-and-coming musicians and conductors. Search through the schools with the top music education programs to see if they fit your needs and interests.

If you are currently working (perhaps teaching already), a useful option would be to study online courses that you can adjust to your work schedule. Be sure to inquire about online learning possibilities at the university of your choice. Furthermore, it is important to know how you will finally graduate. Some programs require students to engage in time-consuming thesis and research projects to earn their degree. Other programs offer the option of presenting a final exam, a final performance or even passing a certification course. Whatever the options are, make sure to find the program that can best adjust to your time constraints.

Finally, some colleges offer the possibility to graduate and earn your teaching license, should you be interested in working as a teacher in the public school system. Keep in mind that this may add more courses and thus lengthen your master's degree.

The National Association of Schools of Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the highest standards in music schools around the country. Accredited programs boast national recognition and a commitment to providing their students with state-of-the-art installations, expert faculty, and a continuously updated curriculum. Studying for a degree from an accredited program can make it easier to transfer to another school or even move abroad.

Since most students channel their music education degree into a career as music instructors and teachers, it may be helpful to make sure your program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is an accrediting body for programs, institutions, and universities that helps maintain quality standards. They review programs' curriculum and implementations, assuring that teachers come out of those programs ready for the classroom. While not all Music Education programs will necessarily be accredited by the CAEP, its status could fast-track the application process for a teaching license in your state.

Music Education Master's degrees are taught within a school's music department. As such, much of the music education coursework will involve interacting with other musicians with different perspectives. Courses involving music theory, musicology, and composition are commonplace.

Additionally, students can usually incorporate classes on an instrument of their choice and other elective courses that interest them. Finally, most graduate programs conclude with a thesis, a capstone project, or a final examination to assess proficiency.

Music Education Foundational Courses

Students are expected to already have a solid foundation as regards music performance, notation, theory, and history, and will be tested accordingly prior to enrollment into a particular program. Coursework within the master's degree recontextualizes these subjects through the lens of pedagogy. The content is analyzed to understand the possibility for its dissemination in the classroom, the ensemble, the orchestra, etc.

• Music and Pedagogy: Courses in this area focus on techniques for teaching and imparting musical knowledge. Students learn about measuring progress in pupils and assessing study plans.
• Music Theory: Music theory can be a challenging subject to bring into a school classroom. This course builds on students' previous familiarity with the subject to provide them with the best tools for teaching music theory themselves.
• Sociology of Music Education: Music education is reframed as a sociological concern, observing its effects on communities and individuals alike.
• Psychological Foundations for Music Education: Focused on the theory and practice of how we hear, interpret, and learn music.

Music Education Specialist & Elective Courses

Depending on what career options appeal the most to students, elective courses are a useful way for students to engage with the subjects they like the most. Music education has many flavors to it, and elective courses can help students find their area of expertise. The following are just some of the specialist courses that some universities offer.

• Choral and Instrument Conducting
• Teaching Musical Theater and Performing Arts
• Analysis of Tonal Music
• Religious Music History

Licensure & Certification in Music Education

A teaching license is a fundamental requirement for all those interested in teaching in accredited schools around the country, public or private. Some Music Education master's programs will offer students the chance to earn a teaching license in the university's home state upon graduation. But others do not include it as an option within the program, so be sure to review the requirements for one with the Department of Education of the state you are interested in working in.

Additional certification can be found in subjects such as music therapy, conducting and ensemble direction, community music administrator, etc.

A master's in Music Education will prepare students to teach music at a pre-college level. However, if you wish to teach at undergraduate or graduate courses, a Ph.D. in Music Education is the best way forward. Universities offer post-graduate programs that delve deeper into musicology and pedagogy and the link between them. As with most doctorate degrees, students complete the program through methodical research to develop new theories on music education. Many programs include exploring new technologies and environments for imparting knowledge, preparing students to teach outside the traditional classroom.

There are several professional organizations devoted to music education, both nationally and internationally. These organizations bring together music educators and students to advocate for music in school systems, host professional and networking events, provide ongoing education, etc. Here are some of the most prominent examples.

• Music Teachers National Association Founded in 1876, the MTNA brings together over 20,000 members from all around the country and provides them with professional support services, networking opportunities, conferences, and competitions. Members enjoy discounts in a multitude of establishments both within the music industry and in areas useful to music teachers.
• National Association for Music Education The NAfME is a non-profit organization devoted to advocating for music education, inclusion, and quality standards at all levels of government. Often arts and music programs fall victim to school district spending cuts. The NAfME strives to educate lawmakers on the benefits of robust music programs. Members have access to professional resources, development opportunities, and music competitions organized by NAfME.

Several options for a career in music education open up upon completion of a master's degree. Students are equipped to teach music at a pre-college level. As such, most students will channel their degree into a career as music teachers K-12, choir directors, ensemble conductors, and other similar professions. Employment will most likely resemble that of teachers of other subjects within the public or private school system. As such, music educators will follow the same patterns of yearly work with the possibility of having summers off from work as other teachers do.

Music teachers develop lesson plans for their students and assess their progress in the class, offering assistance and counsel for multiple students. Often this will mean serving as the director of a chamber orchestra or choir, helping pool the talents of individual students into a collective effort.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Music Education

When understanding the job outlook for a music educator, it is useful to consider it as closest to a high school or middle school teacher. After all, most job seekers with a master's in the field will apply their degree to a career in the nation's school system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' forecast, employment of high school teachers is expected to rise roughly in line with the national average for all professions in the coming ten years. From the years 2019 to 2029, a 4 percent growth is estimated.

This stands in contrast to pre-school, elementary, and secondary teachers, for which employment is expected to grow at three percent instead. Growing demand for a more well-rounded high school curriculum will likely lead to this employment surplus in the coming years. The salaries of music educators is therefore similar to a post-secondary teacher. The highest-paying states for teachers are New York, California, and Massachusetts. The median annual income there is $87,240, $85,080, and $81,070 respectively.

How to Become a High School Music Teacher

The path to becoming a high school music teacher typically begins by studying for a bachelor's degree in music, music theory, musical theater, performing arts, and other related subjects. To then be able to teach at public schools in general, one must obtain a teaching license. Obtaining a license is usually done through a teacher certification program, which will vary according to each state's Department of Education's prerequisites.

For more detailed information about teacher certification in each state, visit TEACH.org. Private schools will have their own requirements for job seekers but will most likely ask for at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field to the class's study plan.

While some school districts may only expect applicants to have completed a bachelor's degree in music, some may require that teachers for specialized subjects offer proof of having studied a master's degree in their desired subject. Career advancement within the school system will allow teachers to become heads of a school's music department.

How to Become a Music Director

A music director can lead a choir, ensemble, or chamber orchestra at a multitude of levels. For the purposes of this article, "music director" will be understood to work with music ensembles within schools or institutions that do not perform at professional venues. This can include church choirs, youth orchestras, high school bands, etc. Music directors work with musicians to combine their talents into one coherent piece of music. They assess rhythm, volume, and style, coordinating a variety of instruments or sections.

To find work as a music director, a person will begin by studying for a bachelor's degree in music. Later on, a master's degree in music education can be useful to refine an educator's sensibilities and ability to lead groups of people.

The BLS estimates that employment of music directors will grow at a rate of 2 percent in the coming decade. That number lies below the national mean for all other professions. In terms of salary, the BLS finds that on average, music directors earn between $41,910 and $55,280 depending on the industry they are employed in. The most common are performing arts companies, schools (both public and private), and religious or civic organizations.

When looking for financial aid to study for a Master's in Music Education, a useful place to start is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the application and answering the required questionnaire, you can find what financial aid programs are applicable to you.

Listed below are some scholarships granted to those studying music and related fields. Consider that many music competitions exist to provide students with the chance to win cash prizes.

• SCI/ASCAP Student Commission Competition: Open to both undergraduate and graduate prospective student composers. For graduate students, the prize is $1,500.
• Top of the Rock Peggy Gram Scholarship: This scholarship is open to women interested in learning Music Education for secondary schools. The grant lasts a year and can be used to cover tuition costs.
• National Federation of Music Clubs: The NFMC is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting music clubs across the country, organizing events, and providing scholarships for promising talent. Be sure to review the NFMC's list of grants and scholarships for studying music, specific instruments, and music education and therapy.