CAS Applied Music Education

The “CAS Applied Music Education” provides music teachers with an opportunity to reflect and expand on their teaching practice. The chance to interact and talk with experienced lecturers in music didactics and their fellow students will invigorate their own teaching and enable them to view it from a new perspective.

→ This degree programme is taught exclusively in German.

–  Critical reflection on the “craft” of music education practice: Preparation and follow-up, lesson planning, evaluation, rhythmization, breathing and body language in class
–  Individual and small-group tuition 

–  Practice, playing/singing, aural training with instrument/voice 

–  Integration of voice, rhythm training, and body awareness in instrumental tuition 

–  Reflection on each student’s own teaching practice: Teaching live lessons or incorporating video examples with the student’s own pupils or those from another class 

–  Give differential feedback (reflection) on lessons given by colleagues from the small group

After completing the “CAS Applied Music Education”, students are able to:
–  use the skills associated with their existing profession with more confidence

–  reflect upon current approaches to music education and implement them in their own teaching practice

–  use extended forms of instrumental/vocal education (different types of tuition); 

–  develop individualized performance practice with their pupils;
–  integrate their own artistic and teaching skills and apply what they have learnt in their everyday working life.

The CAS degree programme runs for two semesters. It starts in the autumn semester.
It comprises:
–  Music didactics theory (10x Friday mornings)
–  Individual specialized didactics tuition in the first semester (14 x 30-min., dates by individual arrangement)
–  Interdisciplinary peer consultation in groups in the second semester (7x Friday mornings)
–  Five work experience placements (dates by individual arrangement)
–  One freely selectable module from the range of courses offered by Continuing Education Music (group courses) or from the programmes of the summer and winter school

The “CAS Applied Music Practice” runs for two semesters (autumn/spring semesters) and comprises a workload of around 450 hours (15 ECTS points). This includes classroom teaching on the one hand and self-study (incl. work experience placements) on the other. 

On successfully completing the “CAS Applied Music Education”, students are awarded a ZHdK certificate.
Participants must attend the tuition units and complete the written documentation/reflection on these units, complete the work experience placements as well as the module, and pass the final examination to meet the requirements for certification. Within the scope of the final examination there is a video presentation of a trial lesson, incl. subsequent reflection and discussion. 

The degree programme is aimed at qualified music teachers with professional experience as well as qualified musicians without a music education degree with teaching experience.

The requirements for admission to the programme are as follows:
–  Successful completion of a university degree in music or an equivalent qualification
–  Previous professional experience
–  Positive outcome to the admission interview/assessment 

Special admission (“sur dossier”) is also possible in justified cases. The Head of Programme and the Head of Continuing Education Music decide on admission.

→ This degree programme is taught exclusively in German.

The tuition fee is CHF 6,600 per academic year, plus CHF 200 application fee.

→ Further information on the degree programme and the application procedure is available on the German website.

Head of Programme

Head of Continuing Education Music