Master of Arts in Music Education Composer of the Classroom
39
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
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? Learn the skills you need for both classroom instruction and academic research with Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts 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.
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 student’s practice of education for K-12 teaching or college-level instruction. The final thesis or curriculum project will 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.
Towards the end of your degree, you will choose to complete a thesis or curriculum project. Your previous courses will 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
- College music teacher
- Director of community arts programs
- K-12 music teacher
- Music curriculum developer
- Music education consultant
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 in 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 curriculum project.
- A Graduate Music Theory Assessment is required as a prerequisite for MUSC 524 – Analytical Techniques.
Degree Completion Plan (PDF)
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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 – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 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.
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?
Refine your skills as a music teacher with advanced theory and music education techniques.
Does this program stay up to date on industry standards?
Learn about new music industry trends to keep your students up to speed in a rapidly changing field.
Is this program nationally accredited?
By earning a degree from a school of music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), you will be qualified for many exciting doctoral programs.
How long will it take to complete this master’s degree?
You can complete our MA in Music Education degree in just 39 credit hours!
Are there other programs that are similar to this master’s that focus on ministry or a culturally-focused music degree?
If you are looking for a ministry-focused master’s degree in worship or music, you may be interested in our Master of Arts in Music and Worship. For a culturally-focused music studies degree, you may be interested in the Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology.
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- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
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