Kent State University established itself as a pioneer in online graduate music education by creating the 100% online Master of Music more than a decade ago. Today, it boasts over 700 graduates from 49 states.
Alumni from the Online Master of Music in Music Education program are making a real impact in classrooms across the country. This program has accelerated their careers by helping them obtain promotions, increase their salaries, and move into new job roles or titles. Many alumni have also presented research developed in the program at local, state, and national music education conferences, and some enter doctoral music education programs after they graduate.
What Career Opportunities exist with a Master’s Degree in Music Education?
A career in music education allows individuals to combine their knowledge and passion for music into a way to share it with others. A vast majority of the current students in the Online Master of Music in Music Education program are educators in K-12 public or private schools.
Possible professional areas include:1
Ph.D. Program - Kent State University also offers a Ph.D. in Music Education to integrate teaching, theory, and research about music teaching and learning. Students pursuing the Ph.D. in Music Education will be those interested in preparing music teacher educators at institutions of higher learning, engaging in arts education activities, and exploring emerging practices in curriculum, artistic instruction, and educational thought.
Music Professor - Music professors teach at the university level, typically specializing in one area such as vocal instruction, instrumental instruction, music theory, and music literature, to name a few.
School Music Teacher - Music teachers are employed at all grade levels within both public and private schools, and they have a variety of teaching responsibilities at each level.
Private Music Instructor - Pursuing a career as a private music instructor requires an individual to have musical talent and the ability to teach those musical skills to others effectively. As a private music instructor, you have the freedom to work from home and to choose your own working hours.
Conductor/Music Director - A conductor manages the performance of a variety of musical groups, both vocal and instrumental, including church choirs, gospel choirs, and orchestras.
Higher Education Administrator - Higher education administrators are responsible for overseeing college or university departments, faculty, staff, programs of study, and more.2
Kent State University Online Master of Music in Music Education
The Online Master of Music in Music Education is designed to offer music teachers the opportunity to develop and refine their professional skills. The degree program allows for enhancement and specialization relative to music teaching and learning in contemporary school contexts. The program does not provide licensure; it is constructed for those with a music education background and the desire to improve the student and teacher experience in music classroom settings.
Flexibility and innovation are built into the program. The curriculum continues to evolve as the needs of music educators change, offering flexibility in tailoring each student’s program. It includes course options in general, choral and early childhood education, rock band, jazz, and more. New courses are continually in development to meet the needs of 21st-century educators. Topics covered in class are immediately applicable to each student’s classroom.
This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
For more information on Kent State’s Online Master of Music in Music Education degree, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/master-of-music-in-music-education.
1 Retrieved on August 31, 2021, from https://study.com/articles/careers_in_music_education.html
2 Retrieved on August 31, 2021, from https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/higher-education-administrator
