This degree program helps students gain competence for careers in music within a liberal arts educational framework.

Degree Benefits:

  • Competitive pay ($52,250* is median salary for Music Directors)
  • Job growth of 6% for Music Directors*
  • Opportunities for vocational advancement

Career Options Include:

  • Fundraiser
  • Educator
  • DJ
  • Librarian

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Music Directors and Composers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/music-directors-and-composers.htm (visited May 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You should expect to spend at least four years going to school full-time to earn your Music In Theory Bachelor's Degree. Though, some universities have specialized programs that allow their students to accelerate their final two years of their degree program. These students are able to complete the final two years of their Music In Theory degree in 17 months. If you choose to attend school part-time for any reason, it could take you 6 years or more to complete your degree.


No matter how you choose to attend, you’ll have to complete around 120 credit hours to graduate with a bachelors in Music In Theory degree. These credit hours include your general education (mathematics, history, humanities, and communications), along with your required major classes for your field.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


We consider the choice of major to be an important decision for students when selecting Music In Theory schools or programs. Music is a broad field, and it has a wide potential for developing specializations and expertise. The student should pause and study the situation carefully. It is important to connect the choice of school with the career goals and employment objectives. Students should be sure that the school is well-equipped to provide high-quality Music In Theory education in the subject areas of greatest interest.


Students must look at the curriculum to determine if the subject will be covered thoroughly and in the areas of study that will be most beneficial.

Courses required to obtain a bachelor's degree in Music In Theory consist of general core courses that Freshman and Sophomores take and Junior and Senior level courses focus more on the major concentration classes. Associate degrees, on the other hand, normally prepare grads for entry-level with the basic skills and expertise required in a field. Affiliate's levels can likewise allow students to finish general education and learning demands with a two-year program, then later transfer right into a four-year program. There are two major titles of bachelor's levels: BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science). There are bachelor's degree programs in a wide range of majors, consisting of STEM subjects, social sciences, arts, and all kinds of specific subjects. You can find some sample major concentration courses that you may be required to take below:

  • Beginning Ear Training
  • Theory
  • Survey of Music History
  • First-Year Theory
  • First-Year Ear Training
  • Music History

Only 41% of students actually manage to finish their Bachelors in Music In Theory Degree on time. There are a variety of factors that could potentially play a part in unexpectedly extending your college career, such as:


Work. Working over 25 hours per week can get in the way of academics.


Credit Hours. Most colleges will define a full course load as 12 credit hours per semester. If you do the math, you will see that you actually need to take 15 credit hours per semester in order to graduate on time.


Transferring. Many students end up transferring during their college career. Many times, there are hiccups with transferring credits. This can put you behind, or even cause you to end up losing your credits altogether.


Be aware of these common mistakes, so that you don't make them yourself.

The college or university itself should be accredited. Look for a regionally accredited school based on that school’s location. The six regional accreditation agencies are The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, The North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, and The Western Association of Schools and Colleges.


Online-only schools should have accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, the Distance Education and Training Council, or the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges but they should also hold regional accreditation.


Accreditation is an important part of the selection process. It adds value to a Music In Theory Bachelor's degree by offering wider acceptance than degrees from non-accredited schools receive. Accreditation ensures employers and other reviewers of your educational background that you have a quality education in Music In Theory. It informs potential employers that the graduate has the expected level of education and knowledge to perform work in today’s high-paced, technology-driven environments.


The Department of Education designates regional and national accreditation agencies. It is also through this department that educational loans and grants are provided to college students. The federal policy is to limit student loans to schools and colleges with acceptable accreditation. Which means that, if your school isn’t accredited, you will likely not be eligible to receive any financial aid. For many students, accreditation is key to getting funds to pay for the substantial costs of a degree in Music In Theory.

The cost of a Music In Theory degree depends on the type of school and the amount of coursework required. Private schools typically charge more than public institutions. Online education reduces the costs of living on campus or in an expensive location. For-profit schools may charge less than the other types. Many public institutions have a two-tiered system of fees with lower fees for in-state students and higher fees for out-of-state students. National averages shed some light on costs and help students understand the costs charged by institutions they might select.


According to the US Department of Education, the average, annual out-of-state cost for a bachelor program in Music In Theory will vary based on the following factors: public, private, in-state or out-of-state and state of the school you are attending.


Below are The National Center for Education Statistics reports for average annual undergraduate cost estimates, in current dollars, for the 2016-17 academic year. The NCES surveyed the average annual costs for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board for public and private institutions. Keep in mind this is an average cost and does not factor in any financial aid like scholarships, grants and loans a student may be receiving.


The average cost of tuition: $19,488 at public in-state institutions or about $77,952 for four years. $24,854 at public out-of-state institutions or about $99,416? for four years. $41,468 at private nonprofit institutions or about $165,872 for four years.

Schools can provide valuable assistance for Music In Theory graduates that seek employment after graduation. The programs can be formal, such as job banks and employment centers that present graduating students and graduate credentials to prospective employers and host interviews.


Depending on the college, they may have resources that can enhance employment and career opportunities for their Music In Theory graduates. Most schools have an extended community of alumni, donors, and corporate and business support. Alumni groups offer opportunities for networking as well as for sharing information and experiences. The corporate and business community support may include opportunities for internships or other hands-on learning experiences.