Masters in Music

Masters Degree in Music

A Masters Degree in Music is a surprisingly versatile degree, providing advanced education in all aspects of music, including performance, composition and conducting. Although the most traditional path for those with a Masters in Music is in music education or performance, there are a variety of other options, including music therapy, commercial music composition, research and becoming a band director or choral instructor. For those seeking a business outlet for their music masters degree there is music production, media production and studio management.

Those with outstanding musical aptitude who are interested in a unique work environment that may include unusual schedules, intermittent work and a great deal of travel can parlay a Masters of music into a career with a symphony orchestra, choral group, ballet or other civic organization. Those interested in sharing their love of music can become teachers through a school or work individually with private students.

What You’ll Study in a Masters in Music Program

A deeper understanding of music and intensive development of individual musical talent are the focus of Masters in music programs. Courses in music theory and composition are combined with music history in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the philosophy and psychology of music both past and present. Music appreciation and analysis will be combined with practical applications in composition and performance.

Mastery of at least one type of musical performance, whether keyboard, instrumental or voice, is expected. Music discrimination, the ability to read scores and some ability to produce original scores is expected. The capstone project of most programs for a Masters degree in music is an independent performance or original composition demonstrating proficiency in an area of particular interest.

Some schools divide their advanced music programs by specialization, offering either a Masters in Music with a focus on applied theory of a masters degree that is performance based. Either degree will enhance your knowledge of a wide range of musical traditions as well as the various technologies and advancements in production, recording and mixing of music across genres. A music masters degree will enhance the students appreciation and enjoyment of music while preparing him or her for a rewarding career in the music industry.

Nurture Your Passion with a Masters Degree in Music

The combination of theory, history and performance that is central to a masters of music is guaranteed to nurture the soul of the music lover who wishes to understand music from all angles and develop his or her theoretical and applied understanding of music’s impact on society and the individual. By further developing the abilities of the individual and encouraging an understanding of musical production and performance, a masters degree in music will prepare the individual to share music with others either through personal performance or a career in one of the many arts programs or learning institutions that expand our musical horizons.

Schools offering a Music Masters Degree

(Organized by State | Updated 02-08-2010)

AK-University of Alaska Fairbanks AL-Auburn University AL-Jacksonville State University
AL-Samford University AL-University of Alabama AR-Arkansas State University
AR-University of Arkansas AR-University of Central Arkansas AZ-Arizona State University
AZ-Arizona State University AZ-Northern Arizona University AZ-University of Arizona
CA-California State University Chico CA-California State University East Bay CA-California State University Fresno
CA-California State University Fullerton CA-California State University Long Beach CA-California State University Los Angeles
CA-California State University Northridge CA-California State University Sacramento CA-Claremont Graduate University
CA-San Diego State University CA-San Francisco State University CA-San Jose State University
CA-Stanford University CA-University of California Berkeley CA-University of California Davis
CA-University of California Irvine CA-University of California Los Angeles CA-University of California Los Angeles
CA-University of California Riverside CA-University of San Diego CA-University of Southern California
CA-University of the Pacific CO-Colorado State University CO-University of Colorado Boulder
CO-University of Denver CO-University of Northern Colorado CT-University of Connecticut
CT-University of Hartford CT-Yale University DE-University of Delaware
FL-Florida Atlantic University FL-Florida International University FL-Florida State University
FL-University of Central Florida FL-University of Florida FL-University of Miami
FL-University of South Florida GA-Columbus State University GA-Emory University
GA-Georgia College & State University GA-Georgia Institute of Technology GA-Georgia Southern University
GA-Georgia State University GA-Mercer University GA-University of Georgia
GA-University of West Georgia GA-Valdosta State University HI-University of Hawaii Manoa
IA-University of Iowa IA-University of Northern Iowa ID-Boise State University
ID-University of Idaho IL-Depaul University IL-Illinois State University
IL-Northern Illinois University IL-Northwestern University IL-Southern Illinois University Carbondale
IL-Southern Illinois University Edwardsville IL-University of Illinois Urbana Champaign IL-Western Illinois University
IN-Ball State University IN-Indiana State University IN-Indiana University Bloomington
IN-Indiana University South Bend KS-Emporia State University KS-Kansas State University
KS-Pittsburg State University KS-University of Kansas KS-Wichita State University
KY-Eastern Kentucky University KY-Morehead State University KY-Murray State University
KY-University of Kentucky KY-University of Louisville KY-Western Kentucky University
LA-Loyola University New Orleans LA-Northwestern State University LA-Southeastern Louisiana University
LA-Tulane University LA-University of Louisiana Lafayette LA-University of Louisiana Monroe
LA-University of New Orleans MA-Boston University MA-Brandeis University
MA-University of Massachusetts Amherst MA-University of Massachusetts Lowell MD-Loyola University Maryland
MD-Morgan State University MD-Towson University MD-University of Maryland
ME-University of Maine ME-University of Southern Maine MI-Central Michigan University
MI-Eastern Michigan University MI-Oakland University MI-University of Michigan
MI-Wayne State University MN-Luther Seminary MN-Minnesota State University Mankato
MN-St. Cloud State University MN-University of Minnesota MN-University of Minnesota Duluth
MN-University of St. Thomas MO-Missouri State University MO-Truman State University
MO-University of Central Missouri MO-University of Missouri MO-University of Missouri Kansas City
MO-University of Missouri St. Louis MO-Washington University St. Louis MS-University of Mississippi
MS-University of Southern Mississippi MT-University of Montana NC-Appalachian State University
NC-Duke University NC-East Carolina University NC-North Carolina Central University
NC-UNC Chapel Hill NC-UNC Greensboro NC-Western Carolina University
ND-North Dakota State University ND-University of North Dakota NE-University of Nebraska Kearney
NE-University of Nebraska Lincoln NE-University of Nebraska Omaha NH-Dartmouth College
NH-University of New Hampshire NJ-Montclair State University NJ-Rider University
NJ-Rowan University NJ-Rutgers New Brunswick NJ-William Paterson University
NM-University of New Mexico NV-University of Nevada Las Vegas NY-Binghamton University SUNY
NY-Hofstra University NY-Ithaca College NY-Long Island University CW Post Campus
NY-New York University NY-New York University NY-Syracuse University
NY-University at Buffalo SUNY NY-University of Rochester OH-Bowling Green State University
OH-Case Western Reserve University OH-Cleveland State University OH-Kent State University
OH-Kent State University OH-Miami University OH-Ohio State University
OH-Ohio University OH-University of Akron OH-University of Cincinnati
OH-University of Dayton OH-Wright State University OH-Youngstown State University
OK-University of Oklahoma OR-Portland State University OR-University of Oregon
OR-University of Portland PA-Carnegie Mellon University PA-Drexel University
PA-Duquesne University PA-Indiana University of Pennsylvania PA-Penn State
PA-Temple University PA-University of Pittsburgh PA-West Chester University
RI-University of Rhode Island SC-University of South Carolina SC-Winthrop University
SD-University of South Dakota TN-Belmont University TN-Middle Tennessee State University
TN-Tennessee State University TN-University of Memphis TN-University of Tennessee Chattanooga
TN-University of Tennessee Knoxville TX-Baylor University TX-Lamar University
TX-Rice University TX-Sam Houston State University TX-Southern Methodist University
TX-Stephen F. Austin State University TX-Texas A&M University Commerce TX-Texas Christian University
TX-Texas State University San Marcos TX-Texas Tech University TX-University of Houston
TX-University of North Texas TX-University of Texas Arlington TX-University of Texas Austin
TX-University of Texas El Paso TX-University of Texas Pan American TX-University of Texas San Antonio
UT-Brigham Young University UT-University of Utah UT-Utah State University
VA-George Mason University VA-James Madison University VA-Norfolk State University
VA-Radford University VA-Shenandoah University VA-Virginia Commonwealth University
WA-Eastern Washington University WA-University of Washington WA-Washington State University
WA-Western Washington University WI-University of Wisconsin Madison WI-University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
WV-Marshall University WV-West Virginia University WY-University of Wyoming