Master of Arts (Educational Leadership)

Master (Coursework)

Provided by

Programme Type

Full-time, Part-time

NIE Graduate Programmes

gradstudies@nie.edu.sg
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The Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) integrates innovative coursework with practical applications, designed for current and aspiring educational leaders seeking to make meaningful impact in today's dynamic educational landscape. The curriculum emphasizes contemporary leadership approaches and evidence-based practices, engaging leaders to navigate complex educational challenges, drive meaningful change in their institutions, and impact education across local, regional, and global contexts

This programme pursues four broad aims:

  1. The programme goes beyond traditional leadership development by synthesizing research-informed approaches with contextually relevant applications designed to address the multifaceted challenges of modern educational leadership.
  2. To enable aspiring leaders in education or training & development to become more informed about critical issues in educational management, and thus to apply intellectual approaches to their work.
  3. Our commitment to evidence-based practice ensures that participants develop the analytical capabilities necessary for data-informed decision-making.
  4. Support personal and professional growth through the attainment of an industry-recognized and valued postgraduate qualification. 

Curious to know what our faculty and students think about our programmes? Click here to find out!

Unique Feature
The Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) is designed for individuals who hold leadership, managerial or supervisory positions in the education service (e.g., school leaders, middle leaders in schools, teachers with positions of responsibility, and Ministry of Education officers), and other learning and training enterprises (e.g., in the military, nursing and other private and tertiary educational institutions). The specialized electives allow participants to develop expertise relevant to their specific professional contexts while gaining broader insights from cross-sector perspectives. This structural flexibility ensures the program's relevance for leaders in public, private, and non-governmental educational organizations across diverse geographic and cultural settings.

Admission Requirements
  • A good bachelor’s degree, or a relevant NTU FlexiMasters with good grades
  • At least two years of leadership, managerial or supervisory experience in the public and private sector.

See detailed requirements for competency in English Language here.

There is one intake per year in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May/June to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any intake.

Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

Applications are to be made online. Click here to sign up for an ISAAC (Integrated Student and Academic Administration System) account to apply with us. For those with an existing account, login to apply.

More information on required documents for application can be found here.

Programme Structure & Duration

Programme Structure

The programme comprises 30 Academic Units (AUs) and offers two options to complete this program:

  • Coursework with Dissertation Route:

          Complete 6 courses plus a dissertation

          OR

  • Coursework Only Route:

         Complete 7 courses plus MAEL902 Critical Inquiry

You do not have to make the decision when you apply. The decision on what option to select is usually made upon completion of four courses.

Important note for matriculated students:

Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult A/P Jonathan Goh, your programme leader if you need clarifications.

Note: Programme structure is subject to changes

The Master of Arts (Educational Leadership) is offered on both full-time and part-time basis. The candidature period is as follows:

Full-time

Minimum

1 year

Maximum

2 years

Part-time

Minimum

2 years

Maximum

4 years


Curriculum

The programme's curriculum represents a carefully calibrated balance between theoretical depth and practical relevance. The core coursework examines contemporary leadership paradigms which includes the following areas:

Core Courses:

  • MAEL900 Educational Research:  Methods and Applications
  • MAEL901 Theories and Perspectives in Educational Leadership

Elective courses:

Educational Leadership

  • MAEL910 Ethics and Leadership for Educators
  • MAEL911 Interdisciplinary Thinking for Educational Leaders

 Leading in Teaching and Learning, and Educational Policies

  • MAEL920 Key Issues in Education Policies and Reforms
  • MAEL921 Globalization and Curriculum Reform
  • MAEL922 Leading Curriculum Development, Implementation & Evaluation

 Strategic and Organizational Leadership

  • MAEL930 Strategic Leadership and Educational Transformation
  • MAEL931 Strategic Educational Marketing
  • MAEL932 Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture

 People Development

  • MAEL940 Theory & practice of teachers' professional learning
  • MAEL941 Leading professional learning communities
  • MAEL942 Principles Underlying Coaching and Mentoring in Educational Leadership
  • MAEL943 Nurturing Educator Well-Being: Reflexive and Sustainable Leadership

Additional Information

For tuition fees, please click here.

For more information about scholarships, please click  here. 

For more information or on programme-related matters, please contact the programme leader A/P Jonathan Goh for more information.