Enrolling in an online music degree program is a great idea for anyone interested in expanding their musical knowledge and improving their career prospects.
Online music schools are usually more flexible and affordable, and they’re very convenient for those who don’t want to move to another city to study.
And in today’s article, we’ll give you an overview of the best online music schools you can apply for.
We made a selection based on the school’s reputation, cost, student experience, accreditation, and other relevant factors.
1. Berklee College of Music – Berklee Online
When searching for the best online music schools, you’ll probably find Berklee Online somewhere at the top of every list.
Berklee College of Music is, in fact, one of the most reputable music colleges in the US.
Berklee is known for yielding great results with their students – their alumni earned 310 Grammy Awards and other prestigious awards in the industry.
And with their online study program, you can earn a degree from Berklee no matter where you live.
Their online learning options include:
- Bachelor’s Degrees
- Master’s Degrees
- Courses (no application required)
- Certificate (no application required)
And their courses cover a variety of music-related fields, including composition, music production and engineering, arranging, popular music, music business, creative media and technology, and so on.
The college also offers a variety of online certificate programs at the professional or advanced professional level.
2. Full Sail University
Full Sail University started out in 1979 as a recording school offering courses in Audio Engineering.
Over time, the school has evolved into one of the best universities for studying music, media, and arts.
Full Sail University covers a variety of fields, from digital arts to computer programming, but they’re best known for its innovative music industry programs.
Their music degree programs include music production, audio engineering, music management, radio and television broadcasting technology, and so on.
You can choose from associate, undergraduate, and master’s degrees, as well as single courses and course stacks.
And they offer a variety of online degree programs, including Music Production Bachelor of Science.
The coursework of the program covers digital audio principles, digital workstation technology, advanced audio production, engineering techniques, and much more.
3. Musicians Institute (MI Online)
Musicians Institute is also among the top music schools in the US.
They offer a variety of music-related programs with curriculums based on both traditional and popular techniques.
Since this popular music school is located in Hollywood, Musician Institute students benefit from studying right next to top recording studios, clubs, theaters, and venues.
But students can benefit a lot from their online programs too.
MI Online offers Certificate, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science degrees in various performance and music industry programs.
Some of the programs you might be interested in include Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Independent Artist, Vocal, Studio Recording Technology, DJ Performance & Production, Songwriting, Artist/Producer/Entrepreneur, and Music Business.
Regardless of what you opt for, MI Online music courses will provide you with the valuable knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the music industry.
4. Valley City State University
Valley City State University is also considered to be one of the best US universities with online music programs.
They offer graduate, undergraduate, and minor programs.
And some of the advantages they’re proud of include affordability, digital accessibility, and flexible learning.
Most online courses are offered in real-time, although that’s not a requirement.
The university also offers a Certificate in Piano Pedagogy and Certificate in Composition.
These certificate programs are ideal for students who want to learn more and earn a credential but don’t want to commit to a full degree program.
5. Academy of Art University
Located in San Francisco, the Academy of Art University provides quality professional education and well-rounded courses.
They offer online classes in a variety of fields, such as game design, fashion, architecture, fine art, and more.
They provide their students with the flexibility of a full or part-time schedule.
And they offer excellent online music programs.
For instance, their Online BFA in Music Production and Sound Design is ideal for students who want to get broader music-related knowledge but also gain specialized production skills.
Courses are taught by professional musicians and sound designers, and they cover a variety of topics and the latest in music production software, recording, editing, and mixing.
6. Washington State University
Washington State University (WSU) is a top-tier university that provides undergraduate and graduate online programs, certificates, and teaching endorsements.
They also offer an online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a specialization in music.
What’s great about this program is that students have the freedom to customize their study plans.
That said, as a WSU student, you can easily make a schedule that fits your interests in goals.
Some of the topics their music courses cover include music fundamentals, structure, composition, and the history of music.
7. Los Angeles Film School
Another great option for anyone interested in studying music online is offered by the Los Angeles Film School.
This top-rated school located on Sunset Boulevard offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in the Entertainment Business.
It’s a fully online program that allows students to take one class at a time, with each class lasting 4 weeks.
Coursework includes music and audio production, music business, management, and marketing.
You can also earn an Associate of Science in Music Production degree online – this program is created to help students develop the technical skills needed to produce top-quality tracks.
Some of the classes in the program include Sequencing Technologies, Music Production for Media, and Genre-Based Production.
8. University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta is another great music school that offers online study programs.
Students who enroll in the Contemporary & Popular Music program at UMA can study music technology, music history, aural skills, and the business of music.
And aspiring music producers benefit a lot from their courses because they provide a working knowledge of audio recording software, recording studios, and audio electronics.
UMA also offers a 2-year Associate of Science in Music degree with a focus on music fundamentals and the study of an instrument.
9. Indiana University
If you’re looking for a music university program that can be completed 100% online, you should check out the programs offered by Indiana University.
Their online degrees cover a variety of fields, from Applied Science to Parks and Recreation.
And their music programs are versatile enough to prepare you for a variety of positions in the industry.
For instance, their Online MS in Music Technology is ideal for you if you want to become a producer, audio engineer, studio manager, sound technician, music editor, studio designer, or production assistant.
10. Frost School of Music – Frost Online
Housed at the University of Miami, Frost School of Music offers undergraduate programs, graduate degrees and certificates, and community and summer programs.
They also offer excellent online music degrees, including a Master of Arts in the Music Industry.
This online music business degree program includes 10 courses (7 weeks per course), so it takes 18 months to complete.
The program covers various relevant methodologies and concepts such as music publishing and licensing, industry agreements, media creation, music copyright, and so on.
So, if you’re looking to enter or advance in the music business and entertainment industry, Frost Online is an excellent choice.
Is Getting an Online Music Degree Worth It?
Many reputable universities and colleges offer online music degrees.
But people sometimes wonder if online music schools are legit.
Well, all the schools we mentioned today are legitimate, accredited music schools.
Of course, when searching for an online music program that meets your needs, you need to check whether the program grants degrees.
And if the school has a solid reputation and offers what you’re looking for, you can keep discovering more about its curriculum, professors, and learning format.
Most online music programs are flexible and convenient, and they also have more affordable tuition fees in comparison to campus alternatives.
There are indeed many benefits to studying music online.
Now, whether you should enroll in an online music degree program or not depends on your goals, abilities, and learning preferences.
People decide to major in music for a variety of reasons.
But one thing is for sure: if you want to start a career in music, having a degree from a reputable university will undoubtedly improve your career prospects.
Many positions in the music industry require a music degree.
And even if you apply for a job that doesn’t require it, having a music degree will give you an edge over competitors.
Employers will probably primarily be interested in your skills, but having experience in studying music proves your discipline and willingness to learn.
Finally, an online music degree program will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve your goals and succeed in the industry, and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.
Best Online Music Schools – Final Thoughts
Before enrolling in an online music study program, you should conduct a little research and make sure the program aligns with your goals and preferences.
But we hope our list of the best online music schools provided you with some useful information.
All the schools we mentioned today are legitimate, accredited, and reputable.
And all of them will provide you with useful knowledge, experience, and skills needed to enter the field.
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