If you are an artiste or interested in the music business, there are chances that you have considered getting a degree in music or entertainment business and management. The cost of studying in the USA or other western countries being a major factor might also have led you to consider an online study option which, quite honestly is hardly different from studying onsite except for the lack of cultural exchange and other social interactions.
While a music degree may be worth it, it’s not entirely necessary. You do not need a music degree to have a successful career in music. For performance careers especially, much of your success comes from quality training through private lessons and strategic marketing.
Having earned an MA in Music Management myself, I know how complicated it can be to decide which route to take career wise within the music industry and, before doing a ton of research on courses and institutions offering the music degree you are looking for, it is important to know what a music degree can and cannot do for you.
Much of what you can do with a music degree depends on what you want to do with music; DO you want to be a famous performer, a music journalist, an academic or a music manager? Do you like producing beats or do you want to teach?
Here is a list of common music degrees offered at most colleges and universities.
• Music Performance
• Music Education
• Pedagogy
• Music Theory
• Music Therapy
• Musicology
• Choral Directing
• Film Scoring
• Music Production
• Music Agent
• Accompanist
• Sound Technician
• Songwriter
• Talent Scout
• Vocal Coaching
• Music Management
So, what are the benefits of pursuing an online music degree?
1. Flexibility is perhaps the most obvious benefit of online degree programs. Flexibility means more adaptable class schedules, as well as more convenience when it comes to completing assignments. By choosing an online degree program, you can customize your class schedule and “study time” to meet your needs. Do you have a full-time career that you need to maintain? Do you have children who are in school only until 2pm? Online college degree programs make it easy to manage classes and balance life’s other obligations.
2. Pursuing online coursework is more affordable than in-person classes. This is because you are not paying for the on-campus amenities like property and land, maintenance and management staff, or meals and housing options, if applicable. You are also saving on the costs associated with commuting to a college campus (gas, tolls, parking, etc.).
3. One of the biggest benefits of pursuing a college degree online – and one that many people do not realize – is the number of skills developed through an online program.
You must be your own manager, motivator, and discipliner. As a result, this requires you to develop certain skillsets, such as:
– Self-motivation, to complete classes and assignments
– Self-discipline, to hold yourself accountable for online learning
– Time management, to create a schedule that works for you
– Task management, to organize and prioritize projects
– Communication, written and verbal, to stay connected with peers and professors
– Technology know-how, to use online learning tools and virtual conference platforms.
Asides the economic potential of getting a music degree we should also consider the psychological benefits of a music education for all ages.
There are very few things that stimulate the brain the way music does, and research has shown that playing an instrument can change the shape and structure of the brain and improve reasoning skills.
Music education is connected to an improvement in both verbal sequencing and the ability to use eloquent speech.
Here are some famous musicians who earned music degrees-
• Seyi Shay holds a degree in Music and Business Management which she obtained from a UK college and the University of East London respectively.
• Tiwa Savage graduated from Berklee College of Music in the United States in Boston.
• Jamie Foxx earned a Bachelor of Music Arts degree in music composition from United States International University.
• Ludacris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music management from Georgia State University in 1999.
• Sheryl Crow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance, composition, and education from the University of Missouri in 1984.
• John Meyer enrolled in Berklee School of music at 19 and dropped out after two semesters…
Among so many others who have proven to be successful in the music industry, the handful mentioned here may or may not accrue their success to what they studied in school.
Another advantage of getting a music education is the potential of networking and building relationships that can prove beneficial in future business endeavors.
Here are five online courses and their institutions you may consider in your search:
1. Berklee Online:
Berklee’s online bachelor’s degree program offers the renowned Berklee curriculum at less than half the in-person cost. Students have access to an award-winning faculty while being able to customize their schedule from home. Students choose a concentration or create their own major as they focus their music education journey.
Berklee Online is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
2.Texas State University:
Texas State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers including performance, music therapy, business, and more. In addition to core classes, students take a variety of music and musicianship classes related to theory, performance, design, and composition.
Texas State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
3.The University of Maine -Augusta:
The University of Maine at Augusta’s Contemporary and Popular Music program presents a fresh take on a musical education. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, students focus on contemporary and jazz styles in their primary instrument while developing a foundation in theory, history, and business.
The University of Maine at Augusta is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
4. Southern New Hampshire University:
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world. Courses include:
Music Business Structure and Strategies, Music Marketing Strategies, Music Business Finance, and Music Business Leadership & Ethics. Featured Program: Online MBA in Music Business Program
5. Boston University:
Boston University has a well-structured set of programs online that are flexible in their education offerings. This is because they have over a decade in online education experience and the history of their campus programming to support them. At the graduate level, they offer a few options in the music field, such as the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Music Education and a Master of Music in Music Education. They even offer a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education.
At the Master level, students learn about how music impacts people at every stage in life and in various cultures. It is a scientific approach, as students study the psychology and sociology of music. The minimum requirement to completion is eight courses, or 32 credit hours that include music education, music theory, and electives.
You can find additional information on Boston University here.
