Top of page
Global Site Navigation
Local Section Navigation
You are here: Main Content

Music Education

Music education has the potential to transform lives and make a positive difference to individuals and communities. Contemporary research in neuroscience and psychology has found that people, particularly children, need a quality and ongoing music education to reach their potential and thrive.

ECU hosts the largest offering of music education in Western Australia with undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees from early childhood to adult education. Our staff are nationally recognised for being highly qualified, experienced, and actively engaged in professional music teacher associations.

Pathways to Becoming a School Music Teacher

Music teachers are in demand and the school education sector is the largest employer of musicians across the globe. At the centre of every flourishing music program is a passionate and highly skilled music teacher. Opportunities exist in primary and secondary schools for teaching general classroom music, studio and small group instrumental and vocal teaching, and ensemble direction.

You are required to have teacher registration to gain ongoing full-time employment in schools. The Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching at ECU provides a pathway towards teacher registration.

Specialist Music Teacher

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) courses provide the most comprehensive pathway in preparing you to become a specialist music teacher in primary and secondary schools.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Offered as a partnership between WAAPA and the School of Education, this course provides students with a major study in secondary school classroom music with a specialisation in one of the following disciplines:

  • Classical performance
  • Jazz performance
  • Contemporary performance
  • Composition and music technology
  • Music studies (no audition required)

Students will also complete a minor study in instrumental music education which includes study in primary school music education. Entry to this course requires a WAAPA audition/portfolio submission, except for Music Studies which has no audition requirements.

A minor in classroom music education (without audition) is available to students studying a major in another learning area.

View further information regarding the Bachelor of Education (Secondary).

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Students who have completed a Bachelor of Music will meet the entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) in music education. Students will complete studies in secondary school classroom music and instrumental music education, with electives available in primary school music education. In the Master of Teaching (Secondary), students can elect to study units in primary school music education.

View further information regarding the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)

View further information regarding the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Primary Generalist Teacher with Music Specialisation

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Primary) prepare students for work as a primary school generalist teacher with a possible specialisation in music education. These courses do not include study at WAAPA or allow for an in-depth study of music.

View further information regarding the Bachelor of Education (Primary).

View further information regarding the Master of Teaching (Primary).

Higher Degrees by Research

Proposals are invited to research music education in Master and Doctoral degree courses. Please contact Dr Jason Goopy to discuss possible research study.

Read about music education research recognised at ECU.

More information

Music Audition Guide - 2024 Commencement 

Please contact our staff for further information about music education.

  • Dr Jason Goopy
    Coordinator of Secondary School and Instrumental Music Education
  • Jason Boron
    Coordinator of Early Childhood and Primary School Music Education

For domestic student enquiries please go to Future Students.
For international student enquiries please go to International Students.

Skip to top of page