General Information

The Non-Thesis Master’s Program in Music Education, offered under the Institute of Educational Sciences at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, is a professionally oriented graduate program designed for teachers, educators, and practitioners seeking specialization in the field of music education. The program aims to support students’ professional development by integrating contemporary pedagogical approaches, applied musical skills, and educational technologies within the context of music education.

The establishment procedures of the program were completed in 2025, and the Bologna information packages and program structure were finalized in the same year. Although student admissions have not yet begun, the program’s academic infrastructure, course contents, and teaching staff are fully prepared.

The program is conducted by a faculty of 7 members, consisting of 1 Professor, 2 Associate Professors, and 4 Assistant Professors, each specializing in theoretical, applied, technological, and pedagogical dimensions of music education.

The non-thesis master’s program is a professional graduate model designed to enable students to: • Become familiar with contemporary approaches in music education, • Develop applied musical teaching skills, • Specialize in areas such as educational music composition, accompaniment in school music, instrument instruction, and music teaching methodologies, • Conduct research- and project-based studies that enhance their professional practice.

Students complete the program by preparing a Term Project.

Key Features of the Program

1. All courses are practice-oriented, designed to support professional development and strengthen teaching competencies.
2. The program focuses on areas that enhance classroom practices for music teachers, including composition, accompaniment, instrument instruction, music teaching methods, and research applications.
3. All courses are elective, allowing students to select courses aligned with their professional needs.
4. Students complete the program by preparing an applied term project that results in a professional product.
5. The program enables music teachers to specialize in creative music pedagogy, educational music production, and classroom-based musical applications.

Prominent Academic and Professional Achievements

Although the non-thesis program has not yet admitted students, its academic infrastructure, course contents, and teaching staff are grounded in the strong research culture of the Department of Music Education.

The achievements of the thesis-based master’s program—such as the university’s first patent, the PCT application, international publications, and the 2024 NÖHÜ Awards for “Best Master’s Thesis” and “Best Supervised Master’s Thesis”—demonstrate the potential of the non-thesis program to produce high-quality applied projects in the future.

Mission

The mission of the Non-Thesis Master’s Program in Music Education is to educate qualified music educators who can analyze and effectively apply contemporary theories, instructional approaches, and curriculum development principles in educational settings; who specialize in children’s voice, instrument instruction, and age-appropriate music pedagogy; who possess advanced practical skills in creative music activities, accompaniment techniques, and educational music production; who can use digital music technologies and innovative teaching methods for pedagogical purposes; and who develop research-based practices, collaborate effectively, and uphold ethical values.

Vision

The vision of the program is to become a pioneering graduate program that develops innovative, practice-oriented, and sustainable educational models in school music, children’s music, creative music applications, and technology-supported music teaching; that evaluates music education materials from pedagogical, musical, and technical perspectives; that produces original works and instructional materials in the context of educational music; that enhances classroom teaching through research-based practices; and that fosters strong professional communication, collaboration, ethical responsibility, and societal contribution.

Aim

The primary aim of the Non-Thesis Master’s Program in Music Education is to educate qualified music educators who can analyze contemporary theories, instructional approaches, and curriculum development principles; who specialize in children’s voice, instrument instruction, and age-appropriate music pedagogy; who possess advanced practical skills in creative music activities, accompaniment techniques, and educational music production; who can effectively use digital music technologies and innovative teaching methods; and who develop research-based practices, collaborate effectively, and adhere to ethical principles.

The program aims to support students’ professional development by enabling them to design effective, innovative, and sustainable instructional processes in school music, children’s music, creative music applications, and technology-supported music teaching.

Objectives

1. Theoretical and Curriculum Development Competence

(Related POs: 1, 2, 3)

6. Analyze and apply contemporary theories and instructional approaches in music education.
7. Evaluate textbooks, instructional materials, and curriculum content from pedagogical, musical, and technical perspectives.
8. Identify practice-oriented problems in educational settings, develop solutions, and design projects.

2. Pedagogical Competence and Children’s Music Specialization

(Related POs: 4, 5, 6, 7)

9. Plan and implement children’s voice training, repertoire selection, and the teaching of children’s songs.
10. Apply Orff, Kodály, Dalcroze, and creative music methods effectively across different age groups.
11. Apply and evaluate methods and techniques used in teaching school instruments.
12. Integrate creative music activities, improvisation, and rhythm studies into classroom teaching processes.

3. Musical Production, Accompaniment, and Material Development

(Related POs: 8, 9, 10)

13. Produce original works using educational music composition and arrangement techniques.
14. Apply piano accompaniment, rhythmic accompaniment, and instrumental accompaniment techniques in classroom settings.
15. Develop instructional materials within the context of educational music using harmony, accompaniment, and notation techniques.

4. Technology Use and Innovative Teaching Practices

(Related POs: 11)

16. Use digital music technologies, notation software, and recording/editing programs effectively.
17. Integrate technology-supported instructional methods into music education.

5. Research-Based Practices and Professional Development

(Related POs: 12, 13)

18. Conduct small-scale applied research and action research in music education.
19. Demonstrate professional communication, collaboration, and adherence to ethical principles.
20. Identify a practice-oriented problem, develop a solution, and present it within a scientific and professional framework.

Level – Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TQF-HE) and Degree Awarded

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded the degree of “Master of Music Education (Non-Thesis).”

The program consists of a graduate curriculum totaling 90 ECTS credits, including 60 ECTS of coursework and 30 ECTS for the Term Project.

The program corresponds to the following qualification levels:

21. Second Cycle within the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA)
22. Level 7 within the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework (TQF-HE)
23. Level 7 within the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL)

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the non-thesis master’s program must:

24. Hold a bachelor’s degree,
25. Apply in accordance with the application calendar announced by the university.

An ALES score is not required. The interview or academic evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the principles announced by the Institute.

For international students, application procedures are carried out by the International Relations Office.

Recognition of Prior Learning

In line with the principle of lifelong learning, the university may recognize previously completed courses. If the learning outcomes of these courses align with the program outcomes, exemption may be granted. All decisions are made by the Institute Board in accordance with relevant regulations.

Program Profile

The Non-Thesis Master’s Program is a practice-oriented graduate program designed to enable music teachers and professionals working in the field of music education to specialize in areas such as:

26. Educational music composition
27. Instrumental and vocal educational music production
28. Music teaching methodologies
29. Accompaniment in school music
30. Approaches to instrument instruction
31. Music education curricula
32. Research applications in music education

Program Structure

Fall Semester

33. Vocal Educational Music Composition
34. Children’s Voice and Its Pedagogy
35. Music Education Curricula
36. Music Teaching Methods
37. Accompaniment in School Music
38. Term Project

Spring Semester

39. Instrumental Educational Music Composition
40. Research Applications in Music Education
41. Music Education Textbooks
42. Applied Harmony Instruction
43. Approaches to Teaching School Instruments
44. Term Project

This structure makes the program a practice-oriented, professionally supportive, and creativity-focused graduate model in music pedagogy.

Teaching and Learning Methods

45. Lectures and in-class activities
46. Applied studies
47. Creative music production
48. Group work
49. Project development
50. Seminars and presentations
51. School music applications
52. Instrument instruction applications

Occupational Profiles of Graduates

Graduates of the program may work as:

53. Music teachers in public and private schools
54. Instructors in private art centers
55. Specialists in institutions offering instrument instruction
56. Practitioners developing applications in school music
57. Educational music composers, material developers, and project coordinators

Qualification Requirements

To graduate, students must:

58. Complete 90 ECTS credits,
59. Successfully present the Term Project,
60. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Examination Regulations and Assessment

Assessment methods include:

61. Midterm examination
62. Final examination
63. Assignment and project evaluations
64. Applied studies
65. Term Project presentation

The final examination contributes 40–60% to the course grade, while semester work may contribute up to 40%. Assessment is conducted using a relative grading system.

Mode of Study

The program is conducted on a full-time and face-to-face basis.