Master's in Music Education

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The Master of Music in Music Education at UNC Greensboro is a professional graduate degree designed to advance the instructional, research, and musical skills of practicing educators and musicians. It serves as a credential for career advancement, allowing graduates to qualify for advanced teacher licensure, transition into arts administration, or prepare for doctoral-level study Students will acquire a fundamental knowledge of research techniques and scholarly writing standards, and learn how to apply these to their work as teachers.

About the UNCG School of Music

• The School of Music at UNC Greensboro was ranked #1 in the U.S. by Best Value Schools in 2025.
• The UNCG School of Music offers the only comprehensive degrees in music education and music performance in the State of North Carolina, from the undergraduate level through doctoral study. Its Master’s in Music Education program has been ranked one of the top programs in the United States.
• The school is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The Master’s of music In Music Education Program Distinctions

UNCG’s Master’s in Music Education is the oldest in the UNC system. It ranks as one of the top ten Master’s in Music Education by OnlineMasters.com

The curriculum provides guidance for developing a portfolio for National Board Certification in Music. It may qualify graduates for the North Carolina Advanced Teaching Licensure in Music.

The Master of Music in Music Education operates in two modes of delivery: as an in person program or online. In both modes of delivery, the degree requires 32 credits or semester hours. During the final semester of the Masters program, Music Education students must complete a capstone project that demonstrates advanced competencies.

The music education graduate Student Experience

Students who choose the on-campus track for the MM in Music Education can attend classes either part-time or full-time. Full-time students can comfortably complete the 32-credit hour program in two years of continuous study. You complete your degree alongside peers in traditional classrooms, enabling real-time dialogue and physical instructional modeling. 

On campus students have direct access to over 20 ensemble opportunities and over 300 live performances annually, providing a steady stream of artistic inspiration outside the coursework.

For online students, the MM in Music Education offers an experience tailored entirely to asynchronous flexibility, practical classroom application, and a summer-heavy pace. This structure allows full-time teachers across the country to advance their credentials without stepping away from their salaries. 

After GraduatiNG with your master’s in music education

A Master’s in Music Education is a high-utility credential that accelerates your career trajectory, expands your earning potential, and opens doors to leadership roles both inside and outside the traditional classroom.

Some potential career paths include:

• K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator
• District Music Supervisor
• K-12 Music Department Chair
• Adjunct Professor, Lecturer, or Instructor a community colleges
• Education Director for symphonies, opera companies, or community arts organizations
• Curriculum/Content Specialist

For those wanting to pursue tenure-track professor positions at the university level, the MM in Music Education is the necessary academic stepping stone towards a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) or Ph.D. in Music Education.

How to Apply to the Master’s in Music Education Program

Students interested in the MM in Music Composition complete the UNCG Graduate School admission process and the School of Music Master’s admissions process.

Frequently Asked Questions About The MM in Music Education Program