Education

Master of Music Education

The Master of Music Education is a postgraduate programme that prepares music educators for advanced practice in music teaching, curriculum development, and research. The programme combines music theory with educational pedagogy and research skills.

Core areas include music education theory, curriculum development, music pedagogy, music theory and analysis, performance studies, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both musical theory and educational practice.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through its Department of Music and Dance, the oldest university music department in Kenya. Maseno University also offers MA in Music Education. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in music education, curriculum development, music pedagogy, music theory, performance, research methods, and academic writing. The programme includes coursework, examinations, recitals, research project or thesis, and teaching practice.

Kenyatta University charges KES 216,000/year for Master of Music Education. Maseno University offers MA in Music Education with part-time study options. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Music, Music Education, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as music educators, curriculum developers, music programme coordinators, music researchers, performers, and lecturers in music education.

Skills Required

Music Education Theory and Practice
Curriculum Development in Music
Music Pedagogy and Instructional Design
Music Theory and Analysis
Performance Studies and Techniques
Music Technology in Education
Assessment and Evaluation in Music Education
Research Methods in Music Education
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Music Education Theory and Practice
Curriculum Development in Music
Music Pedagogy and Instructional Design
Music Theory and Analysis
Performance Studies and Techniques
Music Technology in Education
Research Methods in Music Education
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Assessment in Music Education
Thesis Research

Certifications

TSC Teacher Registration
ISME Professional Membership

Specializations

Choral Music Education

Focuses on choral music education, covering choral conducting, choral pedagogy, vocal technique, and managing choral programmes in educational settings.

Instrumental Music Education

Examines instrumental music education, covering instrumental pedagogy, band and orchestra management, and teaching instrumental music.

Music Technology in Education

Covers music technology in education, covering digital music tools, music production software, and integrating technology in music teaching.

African Music Education

Focuses on African music education, covering African music traditions, ethnomusicology, and teaching African music in educational settings.

Music Curriculum Development

Examines music curriculum development, covering curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, and developing music curricula for schools and institutions.

Music Performance and Pedagogy

Covers music performance and pedagogy, covering performance techniques, performance pedagogy, and teaching music performance.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Music Education Theory and Practice
Curriculum Development in Music
Music Pedagogy and Instructional Design
Music Theory and Analysis
Performance Studies and Techniques
Music Technology in Education
Research Methods in Music Education
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Assessment in Music Education
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Music Education Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines music education theory, educational philosophy, learning theories, and approaches to music education practice.
Curriculum Development in Music
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, developing music curricula, and implementing music curricula in educational settings.
Music Pedagogy and Instructional Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines teaching methods, instructional design, pedagogy, and teaching music in various educational settings.
Research Methods in Music Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting music education research, preparing students for their thesis.
Music Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers advanced music theory, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, and theoretical foundations of music.
Performance Studies and Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines performance techniques, instrumental or vocal performance, ensemble participation, and performance pedagogy.
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers choral conducting, instrumental conducting, ensemble management, and directing musical ensembles.
Music Technology in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines music technology, digital music tools, music production software, and integrating technology in music teaching.
African Music and Ethnomusicology in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers African music traditions, ethnomusicology, and teaching African music in educational settings.
Assessment and Evaluation in Music Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines assessment methods, evaluation techniques, and assessing music learning in educational settings.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or recital programme, including research design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis or Recital with Written Component
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a music education topic or recital with written component, demonstrating mastery of research methods and musical knowledge, assessed through submission, performance, and oral defence.

Specialisations

Choral Music Education
Focuses on choral music education, covering choral conducting, choral pedagogy, vocal technique, and managing choral programmes in educational settings.
Instrumental Music Education
Examines instrumental music education, covering instrumental pedagogy, band and orchestra management, and teaching instrumental music.
Music Technology in Education
Covers music technology in education, covering digital music tools, music production software, and integrating technology in music teaching.
African Music Education
Focuses on African music education, covering African music traditions, ethnomusicology, and teaching African music in educational settings.
Music Curriculum Development
Examines music curriculum development, covering curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, and developing music curricula for schools and institutions.
Music Performance and Pedagogy
Covers music performance and pedagogy, covering performance techniques, performance pedagogy, and teaching music performance.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Music Education programme combines lectures, practical music sessions, teaching practice, rehearsals, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover music education theory, curriculum development, pedagogy, music theory, and performance. Music education theory sessions examine educational philosophy, learning theories, and approaches to music education. Curriculum development sessions cover curriculum design, curriculum evaluation, and developing music curricula. Pedagogy sessions cover teaching methods, instructional design, and teaching music in various settings. Music theory sessions cover harmony, counterpoint, analysis, and music theory fundamentals. Performance sessions cover instrumental or vocal performance, ensemble participation, and performance techniques. Conducting sessions cover choral conducting, instrumental conducting, and managing ensembles. Music technology sessions cover digital music tools, music production, and integrating technology in music teaching. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Teaching practice provides hands-on experience with teaching music in educational settings. Rehearsals and ensemble participation provide practical musical experience. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in music education. Guest lectures from experienced music educators, performers, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or recital with written component.

The trade offs

In its favour

KU has the oldest and premier university music department in Kenya, providing strong legacy and network.
Programme combines music theory with educational pedagogy, providing versatile skills for music education.
Fees are relatively affordable at KES 216,000/year at Kenyatta University.
Programme offers both thesis and recital options, catering to different career goals.

Against it

Only two public universities confirmed offering this programme, limiting institutional choice.
Maseno University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options for private institution preference.
Career prospects may be limited outside the education and cultural sectors.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public94k to 216k

94k at The Open University of Kenya216k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

OUK 94K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). KU MA 216K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Kabarak 165K/yr (KabU PDF), AIU 191K/yr (AIU site).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may provide teacher development support. Kenya Music Festival Foundation may provide support for music educators. Some educational institutions may sponsor music teachers for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Teacher Development
Kenya Music Festival Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Teacher Development
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Teachers Service Commission supports professional development for teachers in Kenya.
ISME Professional Development
GrantKsh 150,000
International Society for Music Education provides professional development support for music educators globally.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in Music or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, teaching practice, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering music education theory, curriculum development, pedagogy, and music theory.
Practical and Performance Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through teaching practice, recitals, performance demonstrations, conducting, and demonstrating music education skills.
Research Thesis or Recital
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a music education topic or recital with written component, demonstrating mastery of research methods and musical knowledge, assessed through submission, performance, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and Maseno University (both public) offer Master's programmes in Music Education. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate education training. Graduates are eligible for TSC teacher registration and ISME professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Maseno University (both public) offer Master's programmes in Music Education. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate education training. Graduates are eligible for TSC teacher registration and ISME professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Music Educator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches music in schools or colleges, overseeing music instruction, ensemble direction, and managing music programmes.
Music Curriculum Developer
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Develops music curricula for educational institutions, overseeing curriculum design, evaluation, and implementing music programmes.
Music Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Coordinates music programmes in schools or institutions, overseeing programme management, events, and music activities.
Music Researcher
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts research in music education, producing research reports, publications, and contributing to music education knowledge.
Performer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 500,000
Performs music professionally, overseeing performance, ensemble participation, and managing a music performance career.
Music Education Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches music education at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, performance supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes