Choral Conducting

Choral Conducting overview

Messiah University’s choral conducting master's program is designed for those aspiring to become better conductors, whether they are working in elementary or secondary school vocal programs, community choirs or as church musicians. Choral conducting students will hone their abilities as teaching musicians through score study, rehearsal techniques and repertoire selection.

The curriculum for the Master of Music in conducting is a hybrid program designed for busy professionals. Summer intensive courses are indicated with an asterisk (*).  All other coursework is offered online in the fall and/or spring semesters.

Conducting (M.M.)

Choral Conducting tuition cost

No-fee tuition

Know what you are paying for with Messiah’s no-fee tuition. With our graduate programs, the cost per credit is what you pay – there are no hidden fees for labs, courses, services or technology. We put the true cost of your program upfront so that you can accurately compare and plan for your graduate education.

Deferred billing

Deferred billing is available for students with employer reimbursement. For more information contact Student Financial Services at gradfinancialserv@messiah.edu.

2025-2026

No-fee tuition per graduate credit hour: $800
Tuition cost for the entire program at the 2025-2026 rate: ranges from $24,000 (30 credits) - $26,400 (33 credits).

Graduate students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid.

FINANCIAL AID

Next steps for admissions

Applying for admission to a graduate program at Messiah University is the first step to making your personal and professional goals a reality.

Messiah University has the largest NASM-accredited graduate program in music in the U.S. and has been successfully educating music conductors and educators online for more than 10 years.

Academic excellence

Messiah University is a nationally ranked Christian university and provides all music conducting and education students quality academic offerings online and in a state-of the-art facility. The High Center for Worship and Performing Arts provides each graduate student the opportunity to refine their skills in a performance hall that has no equal. The facility boasts one of the most highly technologically advanced learning environments on the east coast. (Watch the video tour.)

Reputation

Messiah University has the largest NASM-accredited Master of Music in conducting program in the United States and the only accredited online Master of Music in conducting program in Pennsylvania. An innovator in online conducting technology and instruction, Messiah has been successfully educating graduate-level music conductors and educators online for more than 10 years.

Practical approach

Messiah University offers degrees that provide applicable knowledge in each course offered. As you progress through coursework, you’ll acquire knowledge that can be taken and used immediately in your own classroom, allowing you to become a better teacher and musician.

Faculty

Messiah’s music faculty are an engaged group of educators who are very experienced in public and private school education. Many of our faculty throughout their careers spent time teaching in the public/private schools. In addition, our faculty are currently active in schools providing services such as guest conducting, clinics and adjudication. As a graduate student, you will be studying podium effectiveness and music pedagogy from educators who work in public schools every week.

Flexibility

Due to advancements in technology, Messiah has been able to erase geographical boundaries that, until recently, prohibited teachers from studying music conducting and education in online environments. We are now able to offer degrees that allow students to continue to teach while studying. That opens the door to many who, until recently, did not have the abilities of leaving jobs to go back to school full time.