By TED Staff
March 2021
A master’s degree in music therapy is an absolute must for any music therapist who wants to maximize their career potential. Of course, life is busy and earning an entire degree is so much easier said than done. Fortunately, a number of excellent schools offer a graduate music therapy degree which students can complete entirely online.
To find the best online master’s of music therapy degrees, Top Education Degrees began by compiling a list of every university offering just such a degree. We then used the points-based system below to rank each program based on important factors such as cost and return on investment.
Estimated Out-of-State Program Cost:
Under $10,000 — 5 points
Under $20,000 — 4 points
Under $30,000 — 3 points
Under $40,000 — 2 points
Under $50,000 — 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
9%+ — 5 points
7-8% — 4 points
5-6% — 3 points
3-4% — 2 points
1-2% — 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 90% — 5 points
Above 80% — 4 points
Above 70% — 3 points
Above 60% — 2 points
Above 50% — 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
5:1 and more — 4 points
10:1 and more —3 points
15:1 and more — 2 points
20:1 and more — 1 point
Note: In the event of a tie in points, the higher ranking has been given to the university with the lower annual tuition. Tuition numbers and other statistics were taken from The National Center for Education Statistics, and are accurate as of March 2021.
#5. Alverno College
Online Master of Music Therapy
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Estimated Program Cost: $29,376
Total Points: 9
Alverno College is a liberal arts college affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The college offers an M.M.T. that students can complete entirely online. Note that some elective options do require a short summer residency. Thirty-six credits are required to earn the Master of Music Therapy. Coursework covers a variety of topics, and students work with an advisor to design the most appropriate degree plan. Alverno’s application process includes a recorded performance and an interview.
#4. Colorado State University Global Campus
Online Master of Music w/ specialization in Music Therapy
Aurora, Colorado
Estimated Program Cost: $19,941
Total Points: 9
Colorado State University offers a Master of Music degree via its top-ranked Global Campus. Students may customize their master’s degree by choosing to specialize in music therapy. Thirty to 32 credits are required to earn a Master of Music. Coursework includes Historic Foundations of Music Therapy and Composition for Music Therapy Practitioners, among others. Students must also complete a thesis and a practicum.
#3. Indiana University
Online Master of Science in Music Therapy
Bloomington, Indiana
Estimated Program Cost: $12,607.50 (in state), $38,250 (out of state)
Total Points: 10
Indiana University offers a Master of Science in Music Therapy which can be completed 100% online. Admission to this graduate music therapy program requires an interview and submission of a musical demonstration. To graduate, students must complete 30 credits of coursework. Potential classes include Music in Medicine, and Philosophy and Theory in Music Therapy, to name but two.
#2. Georgia College & State University
Online Master of Music Therapy
Milledgeville, Georgia
Estimated Program Cost: $17,780
Total Points: 10
Georgia College & State University offers a Master of Music Therapy degree program that students can complete through distance education. The degree is open to those who already have a degree in music therapy, and who can complete the required six-month internship from their location. An interview and audition are required for admission. Students may specialize their degree in one of five coursework areas, including special education and mental/physical health, to name but two. Thirty-five total credit hours are required for graduation, as is a graduate clinical project.
#1. Loyola University New Orleans
Online Master of Music Therapy
New Orleans, Louisiana
Estimated Program Cost: $29,448
Total Points: 11
Loyola University New Orleans, a private Jesuit university, offers a Master of Music Therapy which can be completed online, from anywhere in the world. Admission to the degree program requires an audition and interview, as well as a personal statement and current resume. Earning this master’s degree requires 34-36 hours of coursework. Those who do not already have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy or a related subject may complete an offered equivalency program.
If you enjoyed our ranking of the 5 best online master’s degrees in music therapy, then we think you’ll also enjoy:
30 Best Master’s Degrees in Music Therapy
How Do I Become a Music Teacher?
5 Great Music Education Websites
