The UNCG School of Music has been recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). UNCG’s music education program earned top honors for overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success.

“Providing students with opportunities to get a master’s online is only part of our rankings,” said Darland. “Top-ranked schools also had competitive tuition rates and/or scholarships to help drive costs down. And with grocery, gas and other expenses on everyone’s mind right now, an affordable master’s is key.”

The Master of Music is offered both in-person and online. The online program is designed for teachers, so it is primarily delivered over the summer. The program is completed over three summer sessions that are coordinated with the public school schedule. One course will be completed during a fall or spring semester, as well as the capstone project in the fall and/or spring semester. Graduates will advance the skills of practicing K-12 music teachers, deepening their understanding of the historical, philosophical, psychological, and cultural aspects of music education. They’ll increase skills and knowledge in music teaching and develop as practitioners and mentors. During the final semester, students must complete a capstone project that demonstrates advanced competencies. Admissions requirements include, application, resume, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts. They should also have one or more of the following: a bachelor’s degree in music education, music teaching experience, or have or are eligible for teacher licensure.

OnlineMastersDegrees.org analyzed more than 7,700 accredited universities by using data pulled from the schools themselves and from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). After the data was compiled, OMD’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each of the different master’s degrees specialties. Primary data points include:

• Academic counseling services
• Career placement services
• Student/faculty ratio
• Tuition
• Percent of students receiving school-based aid
• Amount of school-based aid per student

To be eligible for ranking, a university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master’s program in the ranking subject. Just 8 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position.