Music Degrees

What is Music?

Music is the art of organizing sound to create harmony, rhythm, and melody that can evoke emotions, tell stories, or inspire. It spans a wide range of styles and traditions, from classical to contemporary, and plays a central role in cultures worldwide. Whether it’s instrumental or vocal, live or recorded, music has the power to connect people and communicate ideas without the need for words.

When you study music, you explore more than just performance. You’ll dive into theory, composition, history, and even the technology behind producing and recording music. Music degrees can prepare you for diverse careers, from teaching and performing to audio engineering and composing for film or television.

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Music Degrees by Level

Pursuing a music degree opens up various educational paths, each leading to unique career opportunities within the music industry.

Associate’s in Music

An associate’s degree in music introduces you to foundational knowledge in music theory, performance, and basic composition. This degree can prepare you for entry-level roles in the music industry and further education.

• Entry-level jobs: Music production assistant, audio technician, private music instructor
• Education path: Many choose to transfer to a bachelor’s program for more advanced training and career opportunities

Bachelor’s in Music

A bachelor’s in music offers a deeper dive into performance, music history, composition, and even music business or technology. This degree is essential for most professional roles in the music industry.

• Career options: Professional musician, music educator (K-12), music director, composer, sound designer, music producer
• Education path: Prepares you to pursue graduate study or specialized certifications in fields like music therapy or conducting

Master’s in Music

A master’s in music allows you to specialize further in performance, conducting, composition, or music education. It’s a common requirement for advanced teaching and conducting roles.

• Career options: University-level music instructor, professional conductor, advanced composer, music therapist
• Education path: Ideal for those seeking leadership roles in music education, performance, or academic research

Doctorate in Music

A doctorate in music is for those seeking the highest level of expertise in their field. It’s necessary for most university-level teaching positions and advanced research roles.

• Career options: University professor, research scholar, expert composer, senior music therapist
• Education path: This degree qualifies you for leadership in academic, research, and high-level performance fields

Frequently Asked Questions About Music Degrees

What can you do with a music degree?

A music degree can prepare you for a wide range of careers depending on your focus and level of education. With a background in performance, you could become a professional musician, music director, or composer. If you’re more interested in the business side, you might pursue roles in music production, sound engineering, or music management. Music education is another common path, where you can teach music in schools, offer private lessons, or even work in higher education. Some graduates work in specialized fields like music therapy, combining music with healthcare to help others. The versatility of a music degree allows you to follow many passions within the music industry, making it a valuable and adaptable qualification.

What degree do you need to be a music teacher?

To become a music teacher, the degree you need depends on where you want to teach. If you’re aiming for a K-12 music teaching position, you’ll typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in music education along with state certification or licensure. In some cases, you may need to complete a student teaching internship as part of your program. For teaching at the college level, you will likely need a master’s or doctorate in music, with a focus on your specific area, like performance or conducting. A music education degree prepares you not only in teaching techniques but also in conducting, arranging, and performance skills, making it a well-rounded path for aspiring music educators.

What degree do you need to be a music producer?

To become a music producer, a bachelor’s degree in music production, audio engineering, or a related field is often the minimum requirement. These programs provide you with essential skills in recording, mixing, editing, and mastering music. You’ll also learn about the technical aspects of music production, such as studio equipment, sound design, and digital audio workstations (DAWs). While formal education can give you a strong foundation, hands-on experience is equally important in this field. Many music producers build their careers through internships, networking, and working on smaller projects to gain experience. Some producers also pursue additional certifications or advanced degrees in music business or technology to deepen their expertise.