Music Education

MIC's Department of Arts Education and Physical Education, in association with the Department of Music, offer this specialised Masters in Music Education. The degree involves an exploration of music teaching and learning processes from a range of social science perspectives and involves interdisciplinary studies in Education, Music and other related fields.

This blended learning programme is suited to anyone with an interest in music education including Teachers (at primary, post-primary and music school/college levels); Policymakers; Community/outreach workers; Curriculum support personnel and Professional/Community musicians.

Topics taught include: philosophy, sociology and psychology of Music Education; creativity; Music Education projects and policies, theories of music performance; music education in schools and communities; social justice and music education; musical participation; musical meaning.

Autumn Semester

Foundations of Music Education 1 (online)
This module provides students with a firm understanding of theoretical perspectives on music education with a particular focus on the philosophy of music education.

Music Education in Policy and Practice (on campus, 1 evening)
This module considers and evaluates a range of contextual issues relevant to current policy and practice nationally and internationally.
The Principles and Practice of Research in Education (on campus, 1 evening)

This module facilitates student's acquisition of the skills of literature review, research design and proposal writing. Full-time students complete it in Autumn, year 1 and part-time students complete it in Autumn, year 2. This is a link-in module with other postgraduate cohorts.

Spring Semester

Foundations of Music Education 2 (online)
This module involves understanding psychological, sociological and other inter-disciplinary perspectives to explore the nature of listening, performing and composing.

Practicum (self-directed and on-campus)
This module involves undertaking individualised programmes of learning that will be based on the specific professional interests of each student. It enables the student to apply the theoretical aspects of the course to their own professional interests.

Summer School

Contemporary trends and issues in Music Education (on campus and online – 1 week) This module offers students the opportunity to explore current trends and issues in music education through practice and theory through an intensive week-long summer school.

Dissertation

Students will design, implement and analyse an original research project. Findings will be presented in a written dissertation of 14,000-16,000 words or as a piece of practice-based work accompanied by a written narrative.

Applicants will normally hold either an honours primary degree with Music along with a post-graduate quali?cation in Education or an honours primary degree in Education with Music. Applicants with equivalent, appropriate quali?cations along with relevant professional experience may also be considered on a case by case basis.

This programme is provided through a mix of online and on-campus teaching. It is offered on a one-year full-time or two-year part-time basis and requires completion of six modules and a dissertation. Full-time students take one extra module in year one, semester one.

Career opportunities open to graduates include working as music education practitioners, teachers, community musicians, music coordinators, policymakers, curriculum support workers.