198602 v.3 Doctor of Education

Introduction

While the traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program caters well for those educators and trainers intending to focus or realign their careers towards researching, not all teachers and educators seeking doctoral level studies intend to become researchers. Some intend to stay in teaching and become leaders in classroom teaching, curriculum development, multimedia, school improvement, evaluation and school based professional development. Others, already occupying positions of leadership in universities,schools, school districts, TAFE colleges, teaching hospitals and system wide central offices, may need to upgrade their qualifications. These potential clients seek doctoral level study which will simultaneously provide them with advance in-depth knowledge related to their profession, and involvement in research work which is closely related to the improvement of their professional practice.

Additional Introductory Information

The aims and objectives of the Doctor of Education (EdD) are to provide - high level research and inquiry skills for senior education professionals, enabling them to evaluate, implement, commission, design and administer research into the many different aspects of education provision, as well as to understand the policy implications of such research. A course of study more closely related to the professional world of the students, which is research based and research driven, but with a distinctive orientaion towards practical research outcomes that would contribute to the growth of the profession as well as the discipline itself. A professional support infrastructure for students which exemplifies best practice in education by providing access to relevant technologies and resources as an integral part of the course of study.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Curtin's doctoral admission criteria apply - namely, a relevant masters degree in education or its equivalent with appropriate professional experience. The most common background for current entry to Education's doctoral program is a first degree, a teaching qualification, the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (or its equivalent) and/or a masters degree in education. Students with first class or IIA honours in a relevant honours degree in an education program are also eligible for entry. Other qualifications and backgrounds may constitute special consideration by the Dean, Faculty of Education and the Divisional Graduate Studies Committee.

Specific Requirements

General requirements for this course are similar to those for PhD programs and are subject to completion time limits - see Curtin Higher Degree regulations. Selection of the three coursework units undertaken by students will be determined on an individual basis via interview and advisement in order that the requirements for completing a particular stream specialisation are met. Although Doctor of Education (EdD) dissertations deal with practically-oriented research, based in professional practice, the scholarly requirements are very similar in most respects to those for a Curtin PhD thesis - EdD dissertations will be examined according to the same criteria as apply for a PhD. Because the research component of the EdD is 70 per cent of that for a PhD, the expectation is that dissertations for the EdD will be correspondingly more limited in scope and length. As an alternative to a single major dissertation, each candidate may complete a series of scholarly papers or reports, a minimum of three, to be submitted for examination. These documents are to be sequential and complementary so that the total research output constitutes 70 per cent of the total program. Examination will follow procedures similar to those for PhD thesis.

Duration and Availability

A doctoral candidate may enrol either full-time or part-time. The course is by research and normally requires a minimum enrolment period of two years and maximum of four years. Part-time students intending to undertake research studies should contact the Dean, Faculty of Education.

Course Organisation

This course consists of 30 per cent coursework and 70 per cent research work, including a dissertation. There are three successive phases in this program (i) three approved doctoral level coursework units chosen from the option streams listed below (ii) a compulsory research proposal preparation unit in research methods and proposal writing culminating in the presentation and defence of a research proposal (iii) a dissertation or series of scholarly papers that report supervised research in an applied area of education or training. It is envisaged that most students entering this program will be in full-time employment and so will pursue their studies part-time. Integration of a student's coursework and research with the needs and directions of their work place is therefore encouraged. Before being permitted to begin their research component, students need to complete Candidacy requirements as specified in Curtin Higher Degree regulations. The purpose of the compulsory research proposal preparation unit is to help students develop their proposals prior to application for the granting of Candidacy.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Special Note

It is a requirement that two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and only one-third by coursework. Students should not enrol in this research degree to receive a related Postgraduate Diploma but rather have undertaken it as requisite for admission. Not all units are offered every semester and the availability of offshore study cannot be assured for all units.

Availability

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.