Online Master of Arts in Music Education

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Pass on the Joy and Creativity of Music with an Online Master’s in Music Education Degree

Are you a professional musician looking to pass on your knowledge to others? Study the skills you need for both classroom instruction and academic research with Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education. If you have a bachelor’s degree in music, worship, music education, or a related degree, you can increase your teaching and musical skills through the master’s in music education online degree program.

Our online MA in Music Education prepares music teachers to enter the realm of education and teach music in various settings, most specifically in higher education settings. You can continue advancing your musical knowledge and skills while being trained to educate the next generation of musicians. The online format allows you to remain active in the field of music as you study advanced music techniques and performance tools. Additionally, our music education degree is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

By completing the online master’s degree in music education, you can become equipped for a career as a music teacher in many settings. If you already have state licensure for teaching in a K-12 setting, you may find opportunities to teach music in public schools and private schools that require state licensure or be qualified for administrative roles for music programs.

Liberty University’s online music degree can open the door to many potential job opportunities, as well as prepare you for doctoral programs in music education. Job opportunities are expected to be opening in all occupations for musicians, especially within colleges and universities, and most postsecondary teachers require only a master’s degree related to the subject they teach. This MA in Music Education can prepare you to head into the workforce and make a difference in the lives of young musicians.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education.

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Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

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Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Music Education Online?

The online master’s in music education is one of the best music programs for students looking to transition from a music career to teaching. It is also a great choice for those wanting to expand their music education studies with advanced research. As an online student, you can remain active in your job, with your family, and in your community.

Our Master of Arts in Music Education online degree program can equip you with practical skills in teaching music theory, musicianship, vocal practice, conducting, music technology, and music cultural studies. Graduate music research and theoretical studies provide a strong foundation in academic research that will enhance students’ practice of education for K-12 teaching or college-level instruction. The final thesis or curriculum project can help provide the opportunity to demonstrate your music education expertise while opening the door to pursue doctoral studies.

What Will You Study in our Master’s in Music Education Degree Program?

Our Master of Arts in Music Education online degree program consists of four areas of coursework:

Foundational studies in music education
Music studies
Music education studies
Research studies

In these various subject areas, you can learn more about analytical techniques of music, conducting, advanced contemporary arranging techniques, and the history and philosophy of music education in America.

Toward the end of your degree, you will choose to complete a thesis or a curriculum project. Your previous courses can help guide you through the process to develop an area of interest you want to research. The thesis will offer a chance to dig deeper into music education research in a specific topic of your choice.

The curriculum project will allow you to create a marketable product that could lead to publishing or new employment opportunities. With this well-rounded and robust program, you can prepare yourself to work in music education environments throughout the country.

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

This program falls under the School of Music.
View the Graduate Music Course Guides for more specific information about individual courses (login required).
Online Database Resources: As one of the world’s leaders in distance education programs, Liberty University has the technological capacity and resources required for the music education program. This includes library database subscriptions to Groves, Smithsonian Global Sound, Garland Encyclopedia, Oxford Handbooks, JSTOR, and more.
You may choose to complete a thesis or a curriculum project.
A Graduate Music Theory Assessment is required as a prerequisite for MUSC 524 – Analytical Techniques.

Degree Completion Plan

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Graduate Full Time	$580/Credit
Graduate Part Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for the MA in Music Education

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree in music, worship, music education, or a related degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree in music or a related field but have at least 18 hours in music and/or 10+ years in professional music experience, you may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of an online master’s degree in music education?

Completing a master’s degree in music education online provides the flexibility to complete your coursework from the comfort of your home and on your schedule.
Joining Liberty’s music education program means joining one of the largest music schools in the nation.
The online music master’s degree occasionally offers optional on-campus intensives that give you the opportunity to network with professors and students as well as gain valuable hands-on experience.
Your final thesis project or curriculum project can form the basis for doctoral research as well as stand as a valuable resource for music publishing and lesson creation.

What will this program help with?

Does this program stay up to date on industry standards?

Is this program nationally accredited?

How long will it take to complete this master’s degree?

Are there other programs that are similar to this master’s that focus on ministry or a culturally-focused music degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Master of Arts in Music Education Composer of the Classroom

Pass on the Joy and Creativity of Music with an Online Master’s in Music Education Degree

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Music Education Online?

What Will You Study in our Master’s in Music Education Degree Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for the MA in Music Education

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of an online master’s degree in music education?

What will this program help with?

Does this program stay up to date on industry standards?

Is this program nationally accredited?

How long will it take to complete this master’s degree?

Are there other programs that are similar to this master’s that focus on ministry or a culturally-focused music degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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