Music is everywhere. It’s not just something that we listen to in the background, but it’s also played in schools, universities and even in hospitals. There are a wide variety of things you can do with a degree in music. But before you decide which degree might be right for you, you need to know what kind of music you want to study.
There are two main categories of music: classical and popular. Both of these kinds of music can be studied in a wide range of different ways. Classical music involves studying a large amount of sheet music and learning how to read notes on the page. Popular music includes a lot of different styles that people enjoy listening to such as jazz, blues, rock or rap.
If you want to work in an orchestra, you’ll probably be looking at a Bachelor or Master Degree in orchestral instruments. If you don’t mind being a little bit closer to the audience you can look at degrees like a Performing Arts, Vocal Performance or Musical Theatre Studies.
What Are Music Degrees?
When you have a degree in music, you’re able to study many different aspects of the field. You might be interested in learning more about how to earn your degree, so here’s a brief explanation.
You can get a degree in music by completing an undergraduate program. This is usually the first step in earning your degree. If you want to learn more about this type of education, you should check out some online universities.
After that, you can go on to complete a graduate level course of studies. There are two main types of programs available. One of them is a master’s degree. The other one is a doctorate. A doctoral degree takes longer than a master’s.
However, both of these programs will teach you a lot about the subject. Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll be ready to start working in the industry.
In addition, you can also take classes at local colleges and universities. Some of the most popular schools include Berklee College of Music, the University of Miami, the New England Conservatory, and Northwestern University.
Finally, you may even decide to pursue a non-degree based career. For example, there are plenty of jobs that require no formal training.
Importance of Music Degrees?
Music is a very important part of many lives. Whether you enjoy listening to it, playing an instrument, writing songs, or producing them, you need to know how to get your degree in music.
There are different kinds of music degrees. For example, there are musical performance degrees, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Performance. You can also earn an Associate of Arts (AA) in Music, or you can choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a specific area.
If you’re interested in learning to play instruments, you may be able to take lessons from a teacher who teaches private instruction. However, if you want to become a professional musician, you should look into getting your Master of Fine Arts or Doctorate.
You can even start your own band, or you might consider working for a local radio station. Whatever you decide, you’ll have to complete some type of coursework.
The best way to learn is to enroll in college courses at a community college. This is because they typically offer less expensive tuition rates than a university.
WHAT’S A “MAJOR,” AND WHAT’S A “DEGREE”?
There is no doubt that music degrees have become very popular in recent years. There are many different levels of musical training, including the bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree, and the doctorate. While most people don’t know exactly how to distinguish between these various levels, there are some basic differences. For example, while the bachelor’s degree focuses on the fundamentals of music, the master’s degree is more focused on theory and composition. The doctoral degree is the highest level of study, and it involves research and teaching.
While a lot of people believe that the bachelor’s degree is the lowest level, this isn’t actually true. In fact, the bachelor’s degree is considered to be one of the top three levels of education in the United States.
The master’s degree is also quite common, and it is usually a requirement for any aspiring musician to get into graduate school. This means that students who want to pursue a career in music need to earn at least a master’s degree before they can even consider going to grad school.
Finally, the doctoral degree is only available through a few schools, and it requires an extensive amount of work.
What Are the Music Majors?
If you’re interested in learning more about the different degrees that you could earn while studying music, then you should read this article. There are many different kinds of music degrees, but the most popular one is known as the Bachelor of Music. This degree usually takes four years to complete.
There are two other main options for earning a bachelor’s degree in music. The first option is to earn an Associate Degree in Music (ADM). This type of program lasts three years, and it can be completed online or at your local college or university.
The second option is the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM), and it also requires a total of four years to complete. However, unlike the ADM degree, the BAM does require you to take classes on campus. You’ll have to attend class regularly, and you will need to spend time taking tests, doing homework assignments, and attending concerts.
TYPES OF DEGREES:
BACHELOR OF MUSIC (BM)
A bachelor’s degree is usually awarded after four years of study. Students who wish to pursue a bachelor of music degree should take at least 12 credits per semester.
Students must complete their undergraduate coursework before they can apply for admission into graduate schools. This means that students will have to earn all of the required courses prior to applying for a master’s program. However, there are some exceptions, such as the University of California system.
Graduate school is the next step in the educational process. After earning a bachelor’s degree, students may be able to choose from several different options. Some people decide to continue with post-graduate studies while others go straight to work.
Bachelor of Music Degree Programs:
There are two main categories of bachelor of music degrees. The first one is the Bachelor of Arts in Music. This is an interdisciplinary degree that combines both arts and science. It can also include other subjects, like history, philosophy, religion, literature, art, or even math.
The second type of bachelor of music degree is the Bachelor of Science in Music. In this case, you’ll focus on learning about specific aspects of music.
BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program that prepares students to pursue careers in many different fields. The most popular majors include business, education, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, psychology, science, social work, and theology.
However, there are also many other options. For example, you could study art, literature, music, dance, and history. You may even decide to become an actor, writer, or musician. If you want to learn more, then you can check out our guide on how to choose a major.
If you’re interested in becoming a doctor, then you’ll need to complete a medical school. This will require at least three years of college. Medical schools usually have very competitive admissions requirements.
You may be able to get into these programs by taking the MCAT test. It’s designed to measure your knowledge of the basic sciences. In addition, it tests your critical thinking skills.
The average cost for tuition is $30,000 per year. However, there are some scholarships that are available. So, if you don’t qualify for financial aid, then you might end up paying a lot of money.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA)
If you want to become a musician, you need to consider getting a degree in music. There are many different degrees that you can choose from, including bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of science, and master of arts. If you have chosen to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts, here are some things you should know.
There are two main schools where you can study music at university. The first is the conservatory, and the second is the academy. Both of these institutions will teach you how to make your own music and perform it in front of an audience.
You might also be interested in reading the article below, entitled “What Is Music Degree?”
When you complete a bachelor of fine arts program, you’ll learn how to write songs, compose pieces, and play instruments. You’ll also develop your ability to create original works. And if you decide to go on to pursue a master of arts, then you’ll learn more about theory and composition.
So, if you want to become a musician, then you should start thinking about what type of education that you would like.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS)
A bachelor of science degree is a four-year program that prepares students to pursue a career in the sciences. The curriculum focuses on the study of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer technology. Students who earn this type of degree have the opportunity to work with animals, plants, minerals, rocks, soil, water, and other natural materials.
In addition, they also learn how to analyze data, design experiments, and interpret results. Finally, a bachelor of science degree requires the completion of at least three years of coursework in order to receive a diploma.
While a bachelor of science degree is one of the most popular degrees to earn, it’s important to note that there are several different paths that you can take. For example, you may want to specialize in a particular field such as medicine, business, or education. This means that you’ll need to decide whether you’d like to attend college full time or part time. You should also consider the cost of your tuition and any additional fees associated with earning this type of degree.
MASTER OF ARTS (MA)
If you have always wanted to be able to compose beautiful pieces of music, but didn’t feel like earning a bachelor’s degree in music was necessary, then you might want to consider taking the master’s route. The Master of Arts in Music program allows students to study composition and performance, while still being able to focus on their other studies as well.
There are two ways to earn your MA in music. You can either complete a full-time course of study at a university, or you could take online courses. Either way, you should expect to spend three years studying under a professor.
In order to qualify for admission into the program, you’ll need to pass a test that measures your ability to read and write musical notation.
You may also need to provide evidence of your skills in another area of the art. For example, if you’ve been playing an instrument for many years, then you can submit letters from teachers who say that they are confident in your abilities.

MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
There are many different ways to study for a master’s degree. The first thing that you need to decide on is whether you want to go through college, university, or another type of institution. You also have the option of studying online.
You can choose between traditional programs, such as an associate’s, bachelor’s, or doctorate, and non-traditional options, like a certificate program. If you’re looking for information about the various music degrees, then you might be interested in reading the following articles:
Traditional Music Degree Programs
Non-Traditional Music Degrees
Online Learning Options
Music Education Degrees
Master Of Science In Music
A Master of Science is the highest level of academic achievement that you can achieve. A MS is usually taken after you’ve completed a PhD or other postgraduate degree, but you don’t necessarily need to do both.
For example, if you complete your undergraduate studies at a top school, then you could apply for a graduate fellowship with one of the best schools in the country. Once you finish that, you’ll receive a master’s.
DOCTORATE DEGREE (PHD)
A music doctorate degree can be earned by completing coursework that focuses on the study of music theory, composition, history, performance practice, education, pedagogy, ethics, technology, and other related fields.
To earn such a degree, you must complete at least 24 credit hours of coursework. Many schools offer different levels of degrees, including master’s and doctoral programs. Some students will pursue their doctorates in conjunction with another major. Others choose to focus on one area of interest and then add more specialized training later.
For example, someone who wants to become a teacher might first complete a bachelor’s degree in teaching before moving onto a masters program. Someone else might get a PhD in psychology and then go on to teach a class focused on cognitive development.
The amount of time it takes to finish a music doctorate varies from school to school, but most require five years or longer. It is possible to complete your studies while working full-time.
Some people decide to take part in a music doctorate because they want to learn about the inner workings of musical instruments. For these individuals, an advanced degree in acoustics can help them understand how sound waves travel through various materials.
FAQs
How many hours a day should a music major practice? ›
The college years are your time as a music major to acquaint yourself with the techniques, repertoire, and advanced skills of your specific instrument or voice. Due to the physical and psychological nature inherent in the study of music, one can expect to practice between two and six hours per day.
What degrees are there for music? ›- Associate of Arts (AA) ...
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) ...
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) ...
- Bachelor of Music (BM) ...
- Bachelor of Music Education (BME) ...
- Bachelor of Science (BS) ...
- Artist degree (AD) ...
- Master of Arts (MA)
- #1. Music, Theatre, or Dance majors. ...
- #2. Business Administration. ...
- #3. Data Science. ...
- #4. Computer Science. ...
- #5. Journalism and Media Communication.
The most common degree for musicians is bachelor's degree, with 61% of musicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 13% and high school diploma degree at 13%.
Is majoring in music hard? ›We're not going to lie to you, being a music major is a lot of hard work. However, it's the best kind of hard work because it's incredibly rewarding!
How many hours a day do piano majors practice? ›Undergraduate Piano Major: 2-4 hours per day. Serious undergraduate piano majors who are planning to audition for graduate school will probably need to practice at the upper range of this. Undergraduate Piano Secondary: 30 min-1 hour per day.
Do I really need a music degree? ›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.
Do music majors make money? ›The top 10 percent earn over $102,000, while the bottom 10 percent make less than $27,000 annually. Employers that have the highest concentration of job opportunities for music majors are technology companies and professional companies.
Is a bachelors degree in music worth it? ›Being a music major is worth it if you have a passion for this art and can commit to completing your degree. There are many disciplines you can pursue as a music major, including performance-based professions and operational roles.
What is an entertainment major? ›Students of arts and entertainment management learn how to use business skills to support and promote a variety of visual, performing, and media arts and artists. If you choose this major, you can pick a program that focuses on either the not-for-profit arts world, or the entertainment industry.
What is an entertainment career? ›
In general, media and entertainment jobs include reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts; writers and authors; editors; photographers; graphic designers; translators; film and video editors and camera operators; broadcast and sound engineering technicians; announcers; producers and directors; and ...
Is it hard to work in the entertainment industry? ›Pursuing a career in entertainment can be difficult, but it is not impossible. If you are willing to work hard and not let anyone tell you that you can't do it, you will eventually succeed. There are many ways to break into the entertainment industry, but there is no one right way.
What is major in music? ›A major scale is a scale in which the third scale degree (the mediant) is a major third above the tonic note. In a minor scale, the third degree is a minor third above the tonic. Similarly, in a major triad or major seventh chord, the third is a major third above the chord's root.
What career are there in music? ›- Video and sound engineers. Video and sound engineers have one of the highest-paying jobs in the music industry. ...
- Recording engineers. ...
- Music directors/conductors. ...
- Music teacher. ...
- DJ. ...
- Musical therapist. ...
- Music journalist. ...
- Music agent.
Singers can work anywhere from several hours a week to seven or eight hours a day. Work hours depend almost entirely on the type of job or position being filled. Because there are so many varied types of singing jobs, it can be difficult to accurately assess the typical working hours of a singer.
How long should a music major practice? ›Some people practice 10 hours or more per day. That's great, if you have the time and resources to be able to do it. Some folks only require 1 to 2 hours per day of practice in order to be proficient. You have to decide what it's worth to you.
How much should a musician practice a day? ›For beginner students, I typically recommend trying to get in just 10-15 minutes a day. Once the practicing habit is formed, you can try bumping that up to 20 or 30 minutes. The longer you spend practicing, the more you will get to accomplish, and the faster you will grow as a musician.
How many hours of practice do you need to be a musician? ›You'll get there.
You don't need to rely on luck, or talent, or a gift from the gods. The 10,000 Hour Rule reassures us that we can reach even quite incredible goals when we set out to learn any new skill, including becoming more musical.
Practicing for a minimum of 45 minutes per day at least 5 days a week is a good start, but practicing up to 90 minutes at a time can allow for some serious work.