Home Higher Degrees Masters by Coursework Master of Arts (Leadership and Educational Change), Joint Programme
NIE-Banner_Jan-2021(1140-x-521-px)

Master of Arts (Leadership and Educational Change), Joint Programme

Expand All

  • The Master of Arts in Leadership and Educational Change is an innovative programme with a dual focus on organisational and curriculum leadership. The programme aims to prepare educational leaders to go beyond organisational leadership towards embracing leadership capacities in curriculum, teaching and learning. Jointly taught by two internationally-renowned teacher education institutions, the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Teachers College (TC), Columbia University, New York, the programme prepares a new generation of educational leaders for Singapore, the Asia-Pacific region and the larger international community. The programme provides opportunities to build new cross-national learning communities and fraternities steeped in both local and global perspectives.

    Graduates of the programme will be equipped to:

    1. appreciate the economic, cultural, and organisational contexts and tensions of interpreting and bringing about educational improvement and site-based curriculum development,

    2. value critical perspectives, diversity and difference and be open to various theoretical stances and practical approaches in educational leadership,

    3. understand the complexities and dynamics of transformational educational change, alongside necessary reforms to curriculum, pedagogy and assessment,

    4. assess challenges to educational change and develop strategies to overcome them, and

    5. plan, develop and implement educational improvement interventions and curricular innovations through harnessing evidence-based research.

    •

  • The National Institute of Education (NIE) is Singapore's premier national teacher education institute. Established in July 1991, NIE is an autonomous institute of the Nanyang Technological University. NIE positions itself as the leader in teacher education in Singapore and the region by producing high quality graduates who form the foundation for a successful education system.

    Teachers College (TC) is the oldest and largest graduate school of education in the United States and a key college of Columbia University. With its tradition of innovation and transformative education, the College is one of the leading schools of education in the country and the world. Since its founding in 1887, TC has been at the forefront of initiatives to advance educational reforms and issues.

    •

  • Those tasked with leadership responsibilities in leading educational change in their respective organizations, not only from Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, but also those from the U.S and other Western countries who may appreciate the advantage of pursuing a higher degree in an Asian context delivered by two leading educational institutions.

    •

  • A good Bachelor's degree or its equivalent according to international standards, with at least 4 years of teaching experience or other relevant educational experience. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in educational leadership.

    For international applicants, more information on the entry requirements can be found here.

    •

  • The programme comprises 32 Academic Units, which is inclusive of 6 core courses, 4 prescribed electives and 1 open elective. Courses will be taught by faculty from both institutions, allowing participants to engage in learning from two leading educational institutions.

    Students are strongly encouraged to partake in “The Teachers College Summer Experience” hosted by Teachers College during the programme’s intersemester period. During The Experience, students read one of their elective courses in the programme at TC in New York and work with some of the best educators in the world. Participants also visit schools in the New York City school system to gain international perspectives on curriculum and leadership.

    The 4 prescribed electives may vary from cohort to cohort depending on the profile and interests of each cohort.

    Core Courses

    • MALC 801 Perspectives in Educational Leadership
    • MALC 802 Globalization, Educational Change and Pedagogical Reform
    • MALC 803 Curriculum Theory, History and Issues
    • MALC 804 Curriculum Implementation and School Improvement
    • MALC 805 Seminars in Educational Inquiry
    • MALC 806 Integrative Study Project

    Prescribed Electives (Choose any 4 courses)

    • MALC 811 Crafting the Curriculum - From Theory to Practice
    • MALC 812 Differentiating Curriculum and Teaching for Diverse Learners
    • MALC 815 Curriculum and Teaching Policy
    • MALC 821 Teacher Knowledge, Learning and Development
    • MALC 822 Teaching and Learning in the Multicultural Classroom
    • MALC 825 Theories and Perspectives on Learning
    • MALC 831 Assessment and Learning
    • MALC 832 Programme and Curriculum Evaluation
    • MALC 841 School Change
    • MALC 851 Organizational Learning and Development
    • MALC 852 Theories of Organization

    Open Elective Course

    One 3-credit TC Summer Course will be done as an Open Elective course. This can be done online or in person at TC, subject to TC’s approval.  

    pdf-thumbnail Download the full course listing and description of Master of Arts (Leadership and Educational Change)

    One of the courses in this programme can be taken as a standalone 

    In line with SkillsFuture Singapore's (SSG) initiative, one of the courses in this programme can be taken as a standalone modular graduate course and accumulated into credits leading to the master’s degree.

    Important note for matriculated students:
    Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult your programme leader if you need clarifications.

    •

  • The programme may be completed in 1 year on a full-time basis. Classes are conducted at NIE in Singapore.

    •

  • Our tuition fees are subject to revision on a yearly basis. More details can be found here.

    Please note that the TC 3-credit Open Elective course fee will be based on TC's tuition rate, subject to annual percentage fee increase by TC and the prevailing exchange rate.

    •

  • There is generally only one intake for this programme, in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in April to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular 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.

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

    You may attend any of the programme’s courses as a non-graduating student. More details can be found here.

    •

  • For more information, please click here.

    •

  • To view, please click here.

    •

  • Please click on the Youtube link to watch the videos in full screen.

    Corporate Video

    GPL Video

    NIE-Teachers College Symposium

    Changing Conceptions of Youth, School and Work
    Click here to read the past publications of the NIE Higher Degrees Distinguished Speaker Series

    NIE - the place to be for your learning journey

    Developing your passion into mastery with NIE

    Hear from our student

    Master of Arts (Leadership & Educational Change) experience by Elis Tan




    Convocation 2016 - Valedictory Address by Elis Tan from the MALEC programme




    Sharing Session at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016

    Developing leadership and expertise in Curriculum, Assessment, Teaching and Learning



    For more videos taken at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016, please click here.

    •

  • “I would recommend the programme to anyone, in Singapore or anywhere else in the world, considering taking up educational leadership roles or interested in understanding what education is for and how they might contribute to creating purposeful learning experiences and educational opportunities for children.”

    Ms Reshu Dhungana
    Director, Habeli Outdoor Learning Center, Nepal
    Class of 2014
    NTU Nanyang Alumni Achievement Award Winner 2017
    https://www.nie.edu.sg/niews/january2018/joint-masters-programme-empowering-educational-change-leaders-in-nepal-and-singapore/index.html

    “The MALEC has made me aware of the complexities and dynamics of leading educational change, I am glad to be able to draw from the various ideas about curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, and develop strategies that will work in the local context.””

    Mr Alan Lim
    Vice-Principal, Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
    Class of 2015
    https://www.nie.edu.sg/niews/january2018/joint-masters-programme-empowering-educational-change-leaders-in-nepal-and-singapore/index.html

    “The TC summer experience was an exhilarating social, professional and academic adventure for me. It was a great pleasure to have met, interacted and learnt with a diverse group of talented and passionate coursemates, who offered new insights and friendships. We also had the privilege to meet some of the 'movers and shakers' while we were there. An amazing and splendid adventure!”

    Ms Poh Shufen
    Lecturer, Republic Polytechnic
    Class of 2015

    “The deep learning, reflecting and reading during the MALEC has given me new creative spurts, energised me to more productive actions and enabled me to make greater connections between theories and practice. The aspiration-focused and CCA-centric vision of schooling and innovation in Boon Lay Secondary School are a natural development out of care for students and my desire to help them do better in life through schooling and life-long education.”

    Mr Tan Chor Pang
    Principal, Boon Lay Secondary School
    Class of 2015

    “My experience with MALEC has been an enriching and engaging one. As a school leader, I appreciate the good balance of research theory and practice application that MALEC offers.The insights drawn from the readings, reflections and discourse help me return to schools to better serve the needs of our pupils, teachers and parents in education. The opportunity to learn and interact with faculty from Teachers College, Columbia University is definitely a plus point!”

    Ms Tan Lee Ching
    Principal, Rosyth School
    Class of 2016
    Valedictorian for NTU Convocation 2016

    “I had a better and deeper appreciation of some of these global challenges that we face, and even as an educator in Singapore, I can also identify with some of these issues.”

    Ms Shawna Lim
    HOD/Economics, St Andrew’s Junior College
    Class of 2016

    “What I like about MALEC is the joint programme between TC and NIE. The programme has broadened my perspectives to look at issues like equity and social justice more closely, in both local and global contexts, and the opportunity to collaborate with international students and professors is truly humbling. The learning journey has been transformational for me.”

    Mr Krishnan Pillay
    Vice-Principal, Jurong West Primary School
    Class of 2017

    “The summer courses we attended comprised of students coming from the PhD programmes and a variety of Masters programmes offered in New York. Can you imagine the richness of discourse? It's really rich in the sense that there are so many different lenses!”

    Ms Cinthia Ng
    HOD(Math), Yumin Primary School
    Class of 2017

    “The programme epitomises the approach of “staying local while going global”. It combines the best that both institutions can offer. Each professor was outstanding in his or her own field. We were challenged to question assumptions and think deeply about educational issues. The TC summer course in New York provided insights into the experiences and challenges of the international education community.”

    Mr Herman Cher Ma’in
    Principal, Madrasah Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah
    Class of 2018

    “I love the lectures! I have learnt practical models and theoretical perspectives that I can apply to my work. I am able to intervene at the individual, team, and organisation levels in my organisation to create a learning culture and lead effectively. My views on curriculum have also changed. I now realise that curriculum is much more than a study outline. A curriculum provides direction for teachers and students in schools, and may be used as a tool for social construction. I am now developing a new standard for consulting processes in my organisation using the curriculum theories I have learnt.”

    Zhang He
    Founder, Chase Education
    Current Student (2019 intake)