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Assistant music director education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an assistant music director. Assistant music directors usually study music, general education, specific areas, or communication. 73% of assistant music directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 868 real assistant music director resumes to see exactly what assistant music director education sections show.
The most common colleges for assistant music directors are the Berklee College of Music and the Berklee College of Music.
There are also many online assistant music director courses to help get the education required to be an assistant music director.
What education do you need to become an assistant music director?
What degree do you need to be an assistant music director?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 9%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become an assistant music director?
- Music, 34%
- Communication, 8%
- Education, 5%
- Other Majors, 41%
Most common colleges for assistant music directors
| Assistant music director common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music | 12.50% |
| New York University | 7.95% |
| Texas State University | 5.68% |
| University of Kansas | 5.68% |
| University of Connecticut | 4.55% |
Best majors for assistant music directors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music | 34.0% |
| 2 | General Education, Specific Areas | 12.2% |
| 3 | Communication | 8.5% |
| 4 | Education | 5.4% |
| 5 | Business | 5.2% |
Best colleges for assistant music directors
The best colleges for assistant music directors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
An assistant music director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for assistant music directors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become assistant music directors.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
8. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
In-state tuition
$55,466
Enrollment
6,752
9. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
20 best online courses for assistant music directors
Advertising disclosure
1. Music Theory Comprehensive: Part 1 - How To Read Music
A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This is Part 1: Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation...
2. Orchestral Music Composition & Music Theory for Video Games
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4. Adventures in Classical Music-Music Appreciation for All!
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5. Music Producer Masterclass: Make Electronic Music
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6. Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3
Electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. Learn music theory with ableton live and more!...
7. Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide
This is the only Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers you will ever need. Learn Music Theory the Easy & Quick Way...
8. Game Music Composition: Make Music For Games From Scratch
Learn to compose music for any and every type of video game, from complete beginner to competent game music composer...
9. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 4, 5, & 6
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
10. Music Theory ABRSM Grade 5
Updated for 2018! Learn how to Pass the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and enjoy the process!...
11. Complete Electronic Music Production for EDM Music Producers
EDM: Learn professional electronic music production techniques from an expert electronic music producer - produce EDM!...
12. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 7, 8, & 9
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
13. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
14. Music Production + Mixing Music in Presonus Studio One
Learn Presonus Studio One + Music Production in this Complete Course for Creating, Recording, Mixing Music + Mastering...
15. Music Theory for Electronic Producers - The Complete Course!
Join Successful students in Music Theory for Electronic Producers for Creating, Arranging, and Analysing Music Theory...
16. Music Theory - Fundamentals for Composition in Any Genre
Expand your music composition skills through learning universal music theory principles, mindset, and ear training...
17. Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory
Music Composition - The Ultimate Guide to Piano, Chords & Music Theory for Producers, Film Composers & Songwriters...
18. Music Production II - Music Production Workflow - COMPLETE!!
Learn to create a Music Production Workflow, and produce professional quality music within any Music Production DAW!...
19. Ableton Live 11 Masterclass: Complete Music Production Guide
Complete Guide To: Music Production, Music Mixing, Electronic Music, Sound Design, Audio Engineering / Production...
20. Learn How Chords & Harmony work in Music
Learn the Secrets of Chords in Music Composition...
Top 10 most affordable universities for assistant music directors
The most affordable schools for assistant music directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for assistant music directors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for assistant music directors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for assistant music directors
The hardest universities for assistant music directors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for assistant music directors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for assistant music directors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
10. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for assistant music directors
The easiest schools for assistant music directors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, barry university, and felician university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an assistant music director without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for assistant music directors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
4. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
Average assistant music director salary by education level
| Assistant music director education level | Assistant music director salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $52,256 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,083 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $65,968 |
Assistant music director education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025