Is becoming a music professor right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Music Professor
The path to becoming a music professor involves education, experience, and a strong commitment to teaching and performing. Each stage builds the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to guide others in the field of music.
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: The journey usually begins with a four-year degree in music, music theory and composition, music education, or a related area. This foundation teaches key concepts in theory, performance, and history that are essential for advanced study.
- Pursue a Master’s Degree: Graduate study deepens both academic and performance skills. It allows future professors to specialize in areas such as composition, conducting, or musicology while gaining teaching experience through assistantships.
- Gain Performance and Teaching Experience: Working as a performer, private instructor, or ensemble director helps develop real-world confidence. Experience in guiding others shows readiness to take on classroom leadership and mentorship roles.
- Consider Earning a Doctoral Degree: Many college and university positions require a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) or a Ph.D. in a music-related field. These programs focus on research, teaching methods, and advanced performance study.
- Develop Essential Skills: Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills support success in both teaching and collaboration. Professors also benefit from creativity, patience, and adaptability when working with students of different skill levels.
- Build a Professional Portfolio: A collection of performance recordings, compositions, research papers, and teaching materials helps showcase career accomplishments. This portfolio plays a major role when applying for jobs or academic positions.
- Seek Professional Certifications: Membership or certification from recognized music or education organizations strengthens professional credibility. It demonstrates commitment to high teaching and performance standards.
- Apply for Academic Positions: With the right education and experience, candidates can apply to colleges, universities, or conservatories. Entry-level positions often include part-time or adjunct roles that can lead to full-time appointments.
Certifications
Certifications play an important role for music professors, showing expertise in teaching and performance methods. These credentials come from respected professional groups and help build skills for college classrooms.
- Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM): The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) offers this professional certification to music teachers who meet standards in teaching, performance, and professionalism. It helps music professors prove their teaching skills and gain recognition when working with students at colleges or universities.
- Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Education Levels Courses & Certification: The American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) approves training programs at universities for this certification in creative music teaching with movement and instruments. Music professors use it to bring engaging, hands-on methods to general music or ensemble classes.
- Kodály Certification – Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE): The OAKE endorses levels of certification focused on musicianship, repertoire, and sequential teaching. Professors find it useful for developing strong music literacy and folk-based lessons in their programs.
- Suzuki Teacher Development – Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA): The SAA provides unit-based training for teachers using the Suzuki method of ear training and parent involvement. This certification supports music professors who teach string, piano, or other instruments with a focus on early development.
- ACDA Membership: The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) recognizes advanced choral conducting through conferences and honors. Choral music professors benefit from its focus on repertoire and leadership in university ensembles.
- Certificate in College Teaching (CCT): Universities like Michigan State offer this program for graduate music students preparing for higher education careers. It builds teaching portfolios and skills that help secure faculty positions in music departments.