Master of Education (Music)

Master (Coursework)

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Programme Type

Full-time, Part-time

NIE Graduate Programmes

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The Master of Education programme is primarily designed for educators working in Singapore schools and the Ministry of Education. University graduates with a background in education and wishing to advance your knowledge and skills in education are also welcome to apply.

The programme offers the degree in 16 areas of specialisation. These specialisations allow you to choose the area that best fits your interest as well as your career path, whether that path is towards the Master Teacher track, Specialist track or a general desire to update your knowledge and skills.

The Master of Education (Music) provides a theoretical and practical base for developing music curriculum and pedagogy for schools, and music education research.

Curious to know what our faculty and students think about our programmes? Click here to find out!

The Master of Education (Music) also provides an understanding of contemporary issues in music education and research, and the foundations of music education. You will develop understanding and skills in the ways technology is used in music and music education. You will select from a list of practical musical skills for teaching in school, including solo and ensemble performance, composing, arranging, singing, choral conducting, band conducting, recorder playing and keyboard skills, to promote your expertise in teaching them during the programme.

  • A good Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, or a relevant NTU FlexiMasters with good grades;

  • A teaching qualification such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore
    or
    at least ONE year of relevant working experience in education.

See detailed requirements for competency in English Language here.

There is generally only one intake for this programme, in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May/June to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

Applications are to be made online. Click here to sign up for an ISAAC (Integrated Student and Academic Administration System) account to apply with us. For those with an existing account, login to apply.

More information on required documents for application can be found here.

The coursework for this specialisation comprises 1 core course, 4 required specialisation courses, 1 open elective course plus either:

  • a dissertation or
  • two additional courses (one open elective course and MED 902 Integrative Project)

MED 902 Integrative Project is open only for applicants pursuing the degree totally by coursework.

Important note for matriculated students: 

Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult A/P Lum Chee Hoo, your programme leader if you need clarifications.

Note: Programme structure is subject to changes

The degree of Master of Education is generally offered on a part-time basis although full-time studies are also available for some specialisations. The candidature periods are as follows:

Full-time

Minimum

1 year

Maximum

2 years

Part-time

Minimum

2 years

Maximum

4 years

The following is the detailed list of courses students have to complete:

Core Course

  • MED 900 Educational Inquiry


Required Specialisation Courses

  • MUE 901 Issues in Music Education
  • MUE 902 Philosophy in Music Education
  • MUE 903 Popular Culture and ICT in Music Education
  • MUE 904 Studies in Musical Behaviours

Open Elective Courses

Other than the core and specialisation courses, you may select open elective courses offered across all NIE Master's Degree programmes. The offer of electives is reviewed regularly to reflect developments in education and the respective fields. You are advised to take note of the prerequisites (if any) before registering.

Optional Specialisation Courses are offered subject to demand and availability of faculty expertise.  Hence, not all specialisation courses are available for selection to every intake.

 

Course Descriptors

MED900 Educational Inquiry (4 AUs)
This course introduces participants to the fundamental processes involved in conducting research such as formulating research questions, writing a review of the literature by synthesizing empirical studies, understanding various methodological approaches, collecting and interpreting research data. Participants in this course will have opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and strategies needed to read, interpret, and evaluate the quality of research reports. In addition, participants will gain a critical understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and combined research approaches.

MED901 Academic Writing for Postgraduate Students (4 AUs)
This course will guide postgraduate students in studying the discourse and linguistic conventions of academic writing in their own discipline so that they can better manage the writing of their thesis/research paper. In addition to studying the discourse practices of academic writing, students will also examine the thinking processes underlying the production of those practices.

MED902 Integrative Project (2 AUs)
This capstone course requires participants to identify an education issue which forms the focus of inquiry, locate and read the most relevant literature to generate suggested potential solution to address the problem. The solution should show evidence that they are able to take the available information and restructure it in an appropriate way to deal with the issue.

MUE901 Issues in Music Education (4 AUs)
This course focuses on the historical, psychological and sociological foundations of teaching and learning music. The course also explores in depth current curricular thinking and issues in music education.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

i) Articulate the historical underpinnings of music education in Singapore

ii) Relate current thinking about the teaching and learning of music from an international perspective to the local context

iii) Identify current issues within music education with theoretical and pedagogical understanding.

MUE902 Philosophy of Music Education (4 AUs)
This course centres on the philosophical foundations of music education. In particular, it seeks to address the big questions that confront contemporary music education. Course readings range from ancient to living scholars and philosophers, and cut across cultural borders in its inclusion of Asian and comparative philosophical writings.

(a) Philosophy of music education in the ancient world

(b) Utilitarian philosophy of music education

(c) Aesthetic philosophy of music education

(d) Praxial philosophy of music education

(e) Music education through postmodern lenses

(f) Asian philosophies of music education and comparative approaches

MUE903 Popular Culture and ICT in Music Education (4 AUs)
This course consists of two main components. Firstly, it examines the development and practice of popular musics through practical sessions and critical review, and explores fundamental concepts and issues on their applications and implications in the music classroom. Secondly, it provides a theoretical basis for developing music curriculum and pedagogy for schools by examining ways in which ICT is used in music and music education.

 *  Popular musics and their significance in music education. 

*  Development of popular musics from its Anglo-American Roots; development of vernacular pop musics in Asia such as J pop, K pop, Bhagra, Mat-Rok and Canto-Mando pop. 

*  Exploring musical genres: Rhythm  Blues, Funk, Soul, Blues, Rock  Roll, Rock, Fusion Rock, Heavy Metal and standard Top 40s pop and media music charts. 

*  Learning to Perform in a real music setting; practical sessions on the basic techniques of various pop instruments. 

*  Popular music pedagogical practices and their applications in the music classroom. 

*  Theoretical survey of ICT applications and platforms and their practical applications in music teaching and learning.

MUE904 Studies in Musical Behaviours (4 AUs)
This course involves a study of musical practices around the world with special emphasis on interdisciplinary perspectives such as philosophy, music education, analysis and sociology. An important corollary will be the ramifications for the teaching and learning of the various musical traditions.

i) Deconstruction of Music/al and Behaviour

ii) Music as human-constituted activity; aspects of disciplinarity

iii) Music and discourses of behaviour 

iv) Means, methods, media/tion/Systemic and Systematic practices

v) Cap/abilities in Music-making

vi) Consequences involving music and behaviour

vii) What does musical behaviour mean?

viii) Musical practices - exemplars

ix) Seminar Presentations 

For tuition fees, please click here.

For more information about scholarships, please click here. 

For programme-related matters, please consult the programme leader, A/P Lum Chee Hoo for more information.

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