Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education

Leadership Through Scholarship

It’s the questions that drive you: What kinds of music do students listen to at home? Why are some students motivated to practice when others are not? In what ways can you use music to open the world to them? How can new technology improve the classroom experience? More broadly, how can you and other music education professionals effect change in our government’s arts and education policies?

Despite successful outcomes, you’re not satisfied with yesterday’s successes. For you, the classroom or studio is a laboratory. You seek new and better techniques to encourage students to improve as musicians and succeed as well-rounded people. When you find something that works, you want to share it with other music professionals. Perhaps you have participated in a teacher research group in your school district, presented a clinic on best practices at a music conference, or have been invited to teach a course at a local college. It was a satisfying professional experience.

Now, you’re ready for more. You’re eager to develop your scholarship, keep your musicianship sharp, and continue your teaching career. This is where online learning comes in. We’ve designed this program for you to be an important member of a small, academically rigorous doctoral program without uprooting your family or leaving the work that fulfills you.

You will prepare for advancement in the field of music education by developing and honing research skills, sharpening proficiency in theory and history, developing a specialization, and producing a dissertation of publishable quality that adds new knowledge, moving the field of music education forward. Your dissertation can become the basis for a scholarly article, series of articles, or book.

Along the way, you’ll develop close relationships with our expert faculty and benefit from their guidance. Many of our doctoral students have collaborated with faculty mentors on music education research and have presented alongside faculty at international conferences.

Music education needs new leaders. Join the ranks of scholars redefining music education for the 21st century.

Let’s get started.

Awards & Accreditations

NASM Accredited: Boston University holds accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with 615 accredited institutional members.

Why Choose BU’s Doctorate of Music Education?

  • The rigor of a top-notch program designed to fit your busy schedule.
  • Tradition and innovation: employ the latest technology from a school that practically invented music education.
  • Work with a diverse faculty of accomplished musicians, scholars, researchers, and educators.
  • Immerse yourself in subjects that offer the potential to transform music education for you and your students.
  • Study the history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and technology of music education.
  • Engage with fellow music educators from around the world who will become contacts.
  • Advance quickly through an accelerated curriculum with competitive cost.
  • Access Boston University’s extensive, world-class resources.

Cost

Boston University  offers competitive tuition rates that meet the needs of part-time students seeking an affordable education. These rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education. To learn more about current tuition rates, visit the Tuition & Fees page.

Curriculum

The Boston University online Doctor in Music Arts in Music Education (MusAD) consists of 11 courses (44 credits) in the coursework phase of the degree, which can be completed continuously within 24 months. In addition to the 11 courses and qualifying examinations, students will attend an on-campus residency requirement of approximately one week (1 credit). Students then continue on to write their dissertation with the support of a supervisor (3 credits). The entire program is geared to be completed in an average of seven years and is comprised of 48 credits total. In addition, students travel to the Boston University campus for a culminating experience near the end of the program.

 

Attention Arkansas Residents, please note: Enrollment in the MM in Music Education program offered by Boston University does not lead to public school (P–12) teacher licensure or a subject field endorsement (for public P–12 schools) in Arkansas.

Faculty

Every day, our talented faculty of working artists challenges students to push the boundaries of Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts in the context of an elite research university.

Explore CFA Faculty

Summer Session

Some online DMA in Music Education degree students take advantage of our summer session, completing course work on campus, while enjoying Boston’s cultural offerings and summer sea breezes. Residence hall accommodations are usually available. More information including session dates, optional on-campus residence hall availability, financial aid, and tuition rates is communicated to students during the academic year.

Scholarships

Federal Stafford Loans Only

Getting Started

Admission to the DMA in Music Education happens once per year for the Fall term. Please complete our inquiry form to receive more information. For assistance with your application or to ask questions, please contact our admissions team at 1-855-884-5636, email cfaapply@bu.edu, or visit the CFA program website.