The traditional model of higher education is under duress, partly because of changes in technology, rising costs, and the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Colleges, conservatories, and universities are embracing distance learning (sometimes also called “e-learning”) like never before.

Distance learning in some form has been around a long time, in the form of correspondence courses by mail, and more recently, full-on college courses delivered over the web using specially designed software systems.

Nowadays, even brick and mortar classroom offerings usually have a companion course site with work to be completed online, and there are more and more options to study or take complete college courses online. Colleges and students are turning to online programs as a way to make education more affordable and convenient.

It was inevitable that online music degrees would eventually gain in popularity and that day has arrived.

As online degree programs proliferate, any student considering earning a music degree owes it to themselves to research all options thoroughly. Not all programs are created equal, costs and results can vary widely, and online learning may not be best for everyone.

If you are finding the idea of moving to another city daunting, looking to balance your work and home life with school, and in some cases, save some serious money, an online degree is worth examining more closely.

Earning a degree or certificate online might be the only option for some people who must travel or move frequently, such as active military service personnel. Or perhaps you live in a country or city with few options for music study or for earning a degree. Here’s how to figure it all out.

There are many reasons to go to school and earn a music degree, as I have written about previously. These reasons include the love of learning, finishing something you started, getting a strong credential, fulfilling a family dream, or just to prove to yourself you can reach a goal you’ve set for yourself.

Using your talent, intelligence, and persistence, and applying yourself through hard work to earn a credential is certainly a cause for celebration, pride, and enjoying a well-deserved sense of achievement and fulfillment.

If the skills you acquired, the knowledge you gained, and the credential all help you advance resolutely in the direction of your professional career and personal life ambitions, then it’s certainly worth pursuing. I’ve never met anyone who regretted earning their degree or getting an education.

The decision to attend college or any program of higher learning is an important and meaningful one. If you’ve made that decision, you will embark on an amazing learning adventure that will change your life. But you must proceed with caution because mistakes can be costly.

In addition to the money, you will be investing your time, which could have been used to achieve another goal. Earning a degree is a major investment however you look at it.

While there are endless credentials and a huge variety of online music programs out there, for the purpose of this article I will focus on two common credentials: certificates and degrees.

We will examine these at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. My goal is to give you a framework for thinking about your own path forward, enlighten you about your options, offer perspectives, and warn you about a few possible pitfalls.

To decide which schools and music programs to include, we considered the following:

• Established reputation: Does the program have a strong record of success? Are there notable alumni and do their graduates work in the industry?
• Distinguished faculty: Are the Professors recognized for their accomplishments in the industry? Are the faculty dedicated to teaching and are the online Teachers the same as at the brick-and-mortar school?
• Cost: Is the average cost of attendance in line with what most online programs charge? Is there financial aid available for deserving and needy students?
• Student-faculty ratio and student experience: Are classes small enough, so students receive individual attention? Do they offer expert advising or mentorship, and help students get into a career? Are there internships available to help students transition from school to work?
• Graduation rate: How many students graduate?
• Accreditation: Are they regionally accredited or nationally, and if so, by which organization?
• Offline experience: Do they offer real-world, hands-on experience, a hybrid model, or a have a physical facility?

We also considered other aspects of the programs, such as:

• How many credits are needed to graduate? Requirements vary widely for a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• What is the overall time commitment? Is it full- or part-time? How many hours do you need to spend weekly, and how long does it take to complete the program?
• Are the programs fully online, or do they offer a hybrid-remote and in-person combined with online model?
• What are the most common degree program specializations for online? What’s not available? What do the students prefer? What are some of the newer specialties becoming available online?
• What skills will you learn and how useful will they be in getting the work you want?
• Will the online credential help you to advance in your career? Is it meaningful to potential employers or will it otherwise prepare you for working in the industry?
• Are the downsides to the online learning experience?

It’s difficult to make a definitive top online music schools list since there are many programs worth considering, and new programs emerging. We’ll start with those which most closely match our criteria and give a short review for each with a few important details you should know.

For our top online music degree programs, we focused mainly on 4-year undergraduate degrees. Included is such useful info as yearly tuition (or total cost), length of programs (if less than four years), location (if offers remote-live blended option), and any specific points of interest, such as unique offerings, cool classes, facilities, or real-world experiences like internships or a co-op program. (There’s also a cool “bonus” school mentioned at the end.)

• Offers Bachelor of Arts degrees (B.A.) and also Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.)
• Majors include: Music Production, Guitar, Music Business, Songwriting, Songwriting & Production, Electronic Music Production & Sound Design, Music Composition for Film, TV, & Games, and you can also create your own major (Interdisciplinary Music Studies)
• Online undergraduate tuition is around $70,000 (total) for most 4-year degrees
• 120 credits required for degree
• Not all instructors teach at the brick-and-mortar Berklee, some do
• Has certificate courses 12-18 months in duration
• Also offers graduate programs and courses

Berklee College of Music has a wide range of options for students who want to earn their degree online. Online students earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.). These are different degrees than students in the on-campus program. Degree options cover topics such as music business, songwriting, and electronic music production.

Berklee Online students have included members of Dave Matthews Band, Sugarland, Nine Inch Nails, and other musicians who fit online classes in around their touring schedule.

The college also offers more than three dozen online certificate programs at the professional or advanced professional level. Certificate programs range from 3 to 12 courses and cover everything from individual instruments to music marketing. Berklee is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Berklee College of Music (Berklee Online)

• Undergraduate online-only tuition and fees per year is about $25,000; financial aid is available
• Offers Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees
• Programs can be completed in 29 months
• Music Production degree also offers campus version and facilities, located in Winter Park, Florida (near Orlando)
• Offers some unique majors, such as Show Production, Music Technology, and Entertainment Management
• Also has graduate programs, certificates, and courses

Full Sail started out as a school for audio engineering and music business, and is now a private, for-profit university located in central Florida offering degree programs in areas like business, animation, entertainment industry, and computer science.

They’ve consistently been rated highly for their innovative music industry programs, and they prepare students for a variety of in-demand roles in the music business. Online Music Bachelor’s degrees range from a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Audio Production or Music Business, to a Bachelor of Science in Music Production, and an undergraduate certificate in Audio Arts.

The online programs are flexible and allow students to create a professional portfolio to use for getting work after graduation. The university is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC); note that credits earned may not transfer to other schools accredited regionally.

Full Sail University

• Certificates cost between $13,500 and $27,000, Associate’s costs $40,500, and Bachelor’s Degree costs $74,250 (totals)
• Textbooks, software, and hardware are not included in the tuition costs
• Bachelor of Music in Songwriting and Production
• Individual courses last 10 weeks, an Associate’s Degree can take 18 months
• Certificates in DJ Performance and Production, Electronic Music Production, Studio Recording Technology, Music Business, and Performance

The Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (M.I. for short) in Hollywood, California, offers a comprehensive mix of online courses, certificates, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Bachelor of Music Degrees designed for future music stars. Alumni music industry success stories can be found on their website. A for-profit school, Musicians Institute is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Musicians Institute (MI Online)

• Costs vary by state of residency and materials required, typical out-of-state tuition, fees, and materials start at about $10,000 (annual)
• Has Certificates and a Bachelor of Music Degree (B.Mus.)
• Bachelor of Music takes four years but can be completed more quickly if credits are transferred in from another institution
• Must complete at least 30 credits at VCSU

Located in North Dakota, Valley City State University (VCSU) touts itself as a leader in online music education. Music students are required to audition but can complete the program online. There is also the option to participate in on-campus ensembles. Most online courses are offered in real-time, but can also be taken asynchronously. VCSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Valley City State University

• Tuition for full-time is about $24,000 (annual)
• Four-year Bachelor’s Degree
• Offers Associate’s and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Music Production and Sound Design for Visual Media
• Has traditional online learning (asynchronous), and also remote courses in real-time (synchronous)

The Academy of Art University’s programs offer students the flexibility of full- or part-time study, and students can complete courses at their own pace. Housed in the School of Music Production & Sound Design, their program focuses on creating music plus the technical aspects of editing and production.

According to their website, grads go to work for large companies such as Apple and Sony Pictures. Based in San Francisco, online degree programs at Academy of Art University are nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and regionally by Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Academy of Art University

• Total costs average about $21,000 annually for in-state; $31,000 for out-of-state
• Tuition rates are lower for students from low- and moderate- income families
• Offers a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree, and Associate’s Degrees
• Mixes online and in-person learning environments
• Has extra-curricular ensembles in-person

University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) offers an online’s Bachelor of Music in Contemporary and Popular Music, and is available with a concentration in Music Education. Students can start with a 2-year Associate of Science in Music degree where they study music fundamentals and learn an instrument. Bachelor degree candidates receive training in performance, music theory, composition, and audio recording, plus participate in an online ensemble seminar.

UMA’s programs in music offer flexibility and accommodate a mix of in-person classes, online learning, and low-residency options. Their tuition rates are competitive, and they tout their modern facilities. Students audition for admission to the program. The University of Maine at Augusta is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine at Augusta

• Annual tuition for in-state is around $12,000, out-of-state is $27,000
• 4-year total costs average $120,000 for residents and $235,000 for out-of-state
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) takes four years

Washington State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities allows for a concentration in music. Students can tailor their study plan to their interests and career goals. Music majors choose courses in music fundamentals, structure (form) and composition, history of music, and study privately on an instrument with music lesson faculty. WSU’s transdisciplinary approach to education builds skills in communication, writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Students also gain cultural competency by studying literature, theater, art, history, philosophy, and languages. WSU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Washington State University

As a bonus, here are online programs for music business and music production offered by a film school:

• Costs are from $91,000 total for students living off-campus, but could be lower with financial aid
• Online Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Entertainment Business with concentration in Music Business
• 120 credit hours, takes 3 years
• Each class lasts fou -weeks and lets students focus on one subject at a time

Some musicians earn a good living composing and producing music for film, TV, games, and mixed media. The LA Film School offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Entertainment Business which combines music and audio production with coursework in business, management, and marketing. They also offer Music Production Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees.

Their online program is unique as students take just one class at a time. Each class lasts four weeks, allowing students to focus on one at a time. Nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), the LA Film School is a for-profit school.

Los Angeles Film School

When considering earning a degree or certificate, we should ask some careful questions first. Here are a few of the most important:

What skills will I learn and how useful will they be in getting the work I want?

Who is offering the certificate and how strong is their reputation?

What is the cost?

How long will it take?

Is the credential meaningful to potential employers or will it otherwise prepare me for working in the industry?

How will a credential help me to advance in my career?

Are there any negatives to the online learning experience?

We need to carefully consider all these questions and more in order to decide if it is worth investing the time and money. “Opportunity cost” is what else you could have been doing with your time and should also be considered.

For example, instead of earning a credential in music, you could be studying accounting, learning to be a chef, or gaining some other highly marketable skills.

You should also consider if you will enjoy studying for the credential. How enthusiastic are you about the idea of spending the time ahead to complete the program? Do you work and study well independently? Do you think you can finish it?

One potential downside of studying online is your direct personal interactions with other students is limited, compared to studying and living on campus. Many people attend top schools because they know the connections they make there will benefit them professionally after college.

Some of the newer models combine a portion of the degree program online with on-campus study, so this might be a solution if it can combine the best aspects of both.

Don’t put too much faith in what the school’s marketing materials say. Ask to speak with current enrollees or graduates of the program in order to listen to their views on the usefulness of the credential and the program. Most of them will be happy to share their perspectives. Ask them to be candid with you and tell you the things they like and dislike most about the program.

It’s also smart to ask to speak to a Teacher in the program and ask to see a course syllabus to get a more precise understanding of what you will be learning. You could even speak to prospective employers to see if they respect the credential and if it would sway their decision to consider a candidate’s employment application.

Asking lots of questions and listening to the answers will help you to understand how a program may or may not be suitable for you.

For those who have already earned a degree or are unable or unwilling to invest the years and dollars to earn one, another option might be to earn one or more certificates. Let’s first examine what that entails.

A certificate is one way to prove to the world that you have acquired a specific competency or set of skills. Compared to earning a degree, it’s easier and cheaper to earn a certificate. Some certificate programs can be completed in a few weeks, while others may take a year or more.

Institutions have far more latitude in how they structure certificate programs than with degrees or diplomas, which tend to be more standardized and rigorous. Because of the shorter time it takes to earn one, certificates are typically focused on one area or subject and are not as broad-based as degrees or diplomas.

For this reason, and because they can be earned in a shorter time, certificates are sometimes referred to as micro-credentials. Keep in mind that in most cases certificates in music-related subjects will not be bolstered by any accrediting agency (more on this below).

Online certificate music programs have increased in popularity over the last few years, mainly due to their lower cost and time required to complete. When offered by colleges or universities, a certificate offers a quick, relatively inexpensive and easy way to be associated with a revered institution and to prove your preparedness to prospective employers.

Some colleges will award a certificate if you complete a series of core studies in music which could then later also be applied for credit towards a degree.

This is not to say that a certificate is an extremely valuable credential. In the music industry, people don’t want to see a piece of paper that says you can play or compose music, they want to hear your stuff. So it’s as important to consider what you will actually learn by getting a certificate.

It’s terrific to be associated with a prestigious school, but make sure you can back up your certification with solid work skills and professionalism.

Online bachelor of music degrees are now widely available and there are even master’s degrees appearing, though just recently. Since online degrees are a relatively new phenomenon, the choice of majors may be limited in comparison to the physical classroom version of a music degree (more on majors below).

The questions about viability and cost we asked previously will also apply here, even more so since a degree demands much greater investment in time and money than a micro-credential. Performing due diligence means investigating the institution thoroughly and making sure their claims hold up.

In addition to asking questions about reputation and the skills and knowledge you will gain, you should also try to gauge the strength of a degree-granting institution’s credibility by examining their accreditation.

Almost all degree-granting colleges and universities belong to an association of schools and colleges that is self-regulating; the function of these associations is to ensure that schools adhere to certain standards, that the education they deliver is rigorous, and that there is consistency and uniformity in what their degree means.

The accrediting agency is there to make sure each school delivers the education it promises to students, and that the school upholds its own quality standards with integrity.

Outside of the U.S. this function is almost always carried out by the government via a centralized Ministry of Education. As the U.S. government provides very limited centralized oversight of higher education programs, the idea is that colleges and universities are better served by self-regulation.

This principle may be debatable, but America’s system of higher education is still admired, respected, and emulated around the globe. This doesn’t mean that other countries don’t also have excellent educational systems.

For most (but not all) music colleges, accreditation is through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). From the NASM website:

“The major responsibility of the National Association of Schools of Music is the accreditation of education programs in music, including the establishment of curricular standards and guidelines for specific degrees and credentials.”

You can find more information about accreditation and what NASM does on the FAQ section of their website.

If a school offering an online degree is accredited by NASM, that’s a sign that its program should be rigorous and meet important standards as determined by the organization. Another gold standard for accreditation is the regional accrediting associations.

The following list is not all-inclusive but will give you some idea of what to look for:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Accreditation does not guarantee that a college’s offering is the right program for you, but it is a sign that there are educational standards in place and that their programs are regularly evaluated by the academic community.

If you want to dig deeper, you can ask to see a copy of a school’s most recent accreditation report, which details the strong points and describes any areas perceived as needing improvement.

As online degree offerings have increased, more majors have become available to advancing students. While not every discipline is now available for online majors and minors, many programs will closely resemble what you would find were you to study at a college or university campus physical location.

For example, you can now earn an online bachelor’s degree in:

• Music production
• Music business
• Studio performance
• Songwriting and production
• Interdisciplinary music studies
• Music writing & production
• Music education
• Music composition for film, TV and games
• Electronic music
• Sound design

The major area of study usually comprises about a quarter of all course credits earned for the degree and may also include a minor. Students enter a major in the second or third semester and begin completing the courses in their major concentrate. Students may also be able to choose a minor along with their major.

Depending on the major, there may be requirements beyond completing coursework, such as a comprehensive exam, directed study, or a capstone project. Most students are required to assemble a professional portfolio during their course of study to help them apply for opportunities after graduation.

A supervised teaching or clinical practicum will be required for music education and music therapy majors, respectively.

More options for earning an advanced music degree online are now just beginning to appear. The most common areas for post-graduate study are music production, music business, and music education.

I predict that in the coming few years we will see more options for earning master’s degrees and even doctorates online. It is now possible to earn a doctor of musical arts (DMA) online in music education, but options for earning a terminal music degree online are still extremely rare at this point.

Some of the online advanced degrees offer a hybrid or blended model of learning. This means you might have to visit the campus for a few weeks each term, usually at the beginning of the semester.

You may also need to show up in person for auditions, exams, or performance juries. This varies from program to program but seems to be more prevalent at the postgraduate level compared to undergrad.

Instructional software is often referred to as a Learning Management System (LMS) and will be important to consider if you are planning to study online. According to Wikipedia, an LMS is “…a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.”

The software, sometimes also called an “e-learning” program, is designed to manage course content, such as video, syllabus, and documents. Additional features such as discussion boards, assignments, quizzes, forums, and online assessments facilitate interaction between students and the teacher.

Some of the more popular learning management systems used currently in U.S. higher education are Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas. Not all schools have the infrastructure to effectively support an LMS and not all teachers can adapt their course content to work well for e-learning. For this reason, it’s worth asking questions about the type of LMS used by any college or university you are considering.

Initially, and to some extent still today, there’s been a healthy suspicion of the value and quality of online degrees. Especially in the halls of academia, online degrees are sometimes sneered at as second-rate. Not all online music degrees are as good as the schools offering them want you to believe, but there are undeniably some good ones, and online learning has had enough time to prove its efficacy.

Some subjects, such as music production, may lend themselves to online learning formats better than others, e.g. performance. It’s safe to say that web-based learning works well enough and that an online degree can be a believable credential, though it may still be looked down upon in some circles.

That will probably change as online education gets better, and the tech tools for teaching and learning improve.

College is also a place to discover things about yourself, your professional options, your personal preferences, to learn how to learn, and to prepare yourself for lifelong learning in whichever profession you ultimately choose to pursue your career. So make sure that whatever you choose to study, and however you choose to study it, you are developing your talent, knowledge, and skills to the utmost.

If you are able to study, learn and consistently grow as a musician, your chances of achieving your dreams in music will be far greater. It also takes discipline, tenacity, and stamina to complete any degree program. Earning an online music degree may not be the best choice for everyone, but it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many, and the trend is likely to continue.

In the music business, people do care about your credentials, but they also want to hear how you sound. Music educators need to be credentialed and certified to teach by their state.

There is a place in the world for online degrees and that place is growing for good reasons. The lower cost and convenience of online college study is undeniable. This makes online music degrees an attractive option in a time of increasing costs for education and a struggling global economy.