Music Degrees: Explained Types and Opportunities

Music Degrees: Explained Types and Opportunities

If you are looking for degrees in music, you will know there are a lot of different branches and types of music degrees that people pursue all over the world. For example, you might want to become a songwriter or music therapist, which would mean studying a lot more psychology, whereas something like research in musicology would require a Bachelor’s degree. 

For students looking to pursue music performance, sticking to an art-related degree focused on playing is the way to go. If you’ve made up your mind about this field, you will need to know exactly what you want to do ahead and the possible career opportunities because there are a lot of options besides the obvious. Colleges and universities are always developing new majors and curriculums that focus on performance, creation, technical skills, engineering, and much more. With that in mind, let’s talk about some popular music degrees and careers that you should keep in mind while making your decision. 

Doctorate Degree

There are two types of doctorate programs. One is a Ph.D. which focuses on research and by the end of your studies, you are expected to write an original research paper. For such a program, you can always look into getting help to do your dissertation because it can be a daunting task. With some professional help from an online dissertation writing service like PapersOwl, you can focus more on your research and studies and less on worrying about typing. 

The second type of doctorate is a professional doctorate which, unlike a Ph.D., focuses a lot more on original contributions to furthering the professional practice. It mainly consists of coursework and a thesis. 

Doctorate of Music

This is a doctorate awarded to individuals who have been consistent in significantly making contributions to this field in terms of recordings, research, and composition. The focus of all Ph.D. degrees is adding knowledge to the field and understanding this art form on all levels. It is achieved when you write your dissertation at either a scientific or philosophical level. 

Doctorate of Musical Arts

A professional degree in music can be pursued by professional musicians looking to become authorities in their instruments and creative pursuits. This is a level of education that focuses on many different levels and genres of this art form. 

Master Degree

To strengthen your career, you might opt for a graduate degree. This is a line of study with different music degree programs that can help open up several career options. 

Master of Arts

This course is for those who want an advanced certification in different music programs and any number of musical applications. You can put this music degree into various careers like educational systems at different levels of school. It offers some of the most diverse professional tracks you can take within this industry. 

Master of Science

A Master of Science is a graduate level program that students who have done a Bachelor of Science can pursue to further enhance their skills in music production and engineering. If you’re more inclined toward the science of creating melodies, this is the course for you. 

Master of Music

This is a course of study that focuses closely on musical pursuits ranging from general musicology to musical psychology and even performance science. You can become an expert in reviewing albums and individual songs by studying this program. A career path in music therapy is also possible for someone who has this degree. 

Music Degrees: Explained Types and Opportunities

Bachelor Degree

A Bachelor’s is an undergrad degree that lasts from 3 to 6 years and prepares you for further education and specialization. The most common Bachelor’s degrees are offered either in science or arts, which you can further dive into below. 

Bachelor of Science

Students looking to pursue a career in music production, technology, and engineering need to obtain a Bachelor of Science. This is a program that opens up more music degree options like a music business degree, and can lead to careers in artist development and distribution. 

Bachelor of Music

This is the most common program among the various music degree types. Most universities have departments that are exclusively dedicated to this field and offer a Bachelor’s in it. The main difference between this degree and others is that students who opt for this program will usually study fewer non-musical courses than others. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The classes in this course are more focused on performance and there are also more options in terms of theory courses that students can benefit from. This program opens up multiple career possibilities because of its multifaceted disciplines, both in theory and performance.

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts is a generalized art program that offers an education that is not necessarily performance-focused. Of course, there are a few exceptions to this too, like the Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration. In this course, classes are focused on subjects like Music Theory and Composition. However, if you’re looking to get a well-rounded degree in Arts, then the Bachelor of Arts is definitely curated for you.

Bachelor of Music Education

If you’re looking for a program that can prepare you for a career in teaching vocals and musical instruments with a proper license, then this could be a perfect choice. The curriculum includes majors in different instruments, method courses, and other career-building workshops, making sure you’re on a successful road to becoming a professional instructor. With courses ranging from Music Education, Theory, and History to Aural Skills, there will be a lot to gain from this degree.

The Final Word

While applying to study this art form, make sure you know the music degree requirements for your chosen program. Do your research on the various types of programs offered online and on-campus to know exactly what is a better fit. A good and relevant education is crucial for a long-lasting career in the music industry, which is very saturated as it is. So, spend a good amount of time learning about the many programs out there before you settle on one. 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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