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MA in Music Education

This degree is level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) awarded by University of Limerick.
The next intake for this programme will be September 2024. Places Offered: Up to 15 places.

Full-time/Part-time: Both available

Level: 9

Duration: 2 yrs PT/1 yr FT

Location: Online/ MIC Limerick

Delivery Mode:

Online and face-to-face

Assessment:

Portfolios, essays and dissertation.

  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • Entry requirements
  • How to apply

Programme Overview

MIC’s Department of Arts Education and Physical Education, in association with the Department of Music, offer this specialised Master's 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.

MA in Music Education graphic with children signing behind it
MA in Music Education
Dr Ailbhe Kenny, programme coordinator, discusses the MA in Music Education

Special programme features

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

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

Shauna McCullough
Shauna McCullough

Graduate Testimonial - Shauna McCullough

The MA in Music Education at MIC provides an excellent platform to immerse yourself in the research behind why we do what we do as music educators and advocates for music education. The programme covers a broad range of topics and is an excellent way to develop your writing from a critical thinking perspective. There are a wealth of additional opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, talks and present your own work at music education conferences that you may not get otherwise. The lecturers are invested in you and offer a level of support that it difficult to find in other MA programmes. I would encourage anyone considering an MA in Music Education to take the leap of faith and go for it.

Graduate Testimonial - Úna Mc Loughlin

I chose to study music education, as I have a great love and interest in music, and wanted to expand my knowledge of music in relation to education. This course gave me a deeper understanding of the theory behind a music curriculum, as well as challenging me to think about and improve my own approach to music teaching. The course also encouraged me to develop new music skills, for example I took up playing the drums, as well as helping me to gain an in-depth knowledge of composition in the primary school, my chosen research topic. While attending the course, I often wondered why I gave up my free time to study. But having now completed the course, I am so glad I did. I have a greater knowledge of music education, a greater confidence in delivering and developing music programmes, have broadened my music contacts, and have had many new doors opened to me.

Úna Mc Loughlin
Úna Mc Loughlin

Contact:

Dr Ailbhe Kenny 

Programme Coordinator

Ailbhe.Kenny@mic.ul.ie

Programme Content

Modules

The programme is delivered on a full-time (over one year) or part-time (over two years) basis. It is a blended programme involving both on campus and online delivery. In the first year of the programme, all students take two taught modules in the autumn semester (and three modules if full-time). In the spring semester, students take two taught modules, one of which is a self-directed Practicum. During the summer period, students will attend a week-long summer school. In year two, part-time students only attend the Principles and Practice of Research in Education module.  

Full-time students also complete their dissertation in year one, whereas part-time students develop their ideas and dissertation proposals throughout year one, and formally work on this in year two. 

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. 

Assessment Modes

A variety of assessment modes are engaged with including essays, a practicum, reviews, programmes of work and a final dissertation.

Programme Details

Duration: One year full-time or two year part-time.

 

Entry requirements

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

Click here for English language requirements.

How to apply

The next intake for this programme will be September 2024.

EU Applicants

Non-EU Applicants

You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying:

E: International@mic.ul.ie or T:  +353 61 204988 /+353 61 774790.

Transferring from another 3rd Level Institution

The transfer route into MIC depends on the content overlap of your new and old course and the number of places on the new course in the year you apply. Before submitting an application you should contact international@mic.ul.ie where we will consider your case with the relevant Head of Department of the course you wish to transfer to.

EU/Non-EU Status Assessments

The designation of a student as being from the EU or a Non-EU country determines the fees they will pay at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) i.e. there may be cases where a non-EU national acquires EEA citizenship during the course of their third level studies and would qualify for EU fees, for example. 

Click here for more information on EU/Non-EU assessments which will be conducted by MIC International office to determine status.

Fees

For Postgraduate Fees click here.

US Students please note that you can apply for Federal Aid.

Contact
EU Applicants:
TaughtProgrammes@mic.ul.ie
Contact
Non-EU Applicants:
+353 61 204988 / +353 61 774787
International@mic.ul.ie
  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • Entry requirements
  • How to apply

Mary Immaculate College
South Circular Road
Limerick, Ireland
V94 VN26
Tel: +353 61 204300