Doctor of Education (EdD)
What is a Doctor of Education?
It is a research degree designed to provide senior educational professionals the opportunity to:
- Engage in higher professional development.
- Become a knowledgeable and critically reflective practitioner.
- Acquire the knowledge and skills through coursework and supervised thesis research to conduct independent and high quality research in their workplace.
- Contribute original knowledge to improving their profession.
As an alternate doctoral-level degree to the PhD, the EdD is designed with an explicitly professional orientation. This programme graduates researching and scholarly professionals, rather than professional researchers, as is the expected outcome of the PhD programme.
Who should be doing the EdD?
If you are:
- A professional in education or related fields.
- Keen to acquire advanced research skills to study you own practice, investigate issues or problems that arise from the workplace, or to improve institutional practice.
What is the Programme of Study?
Coursework
In the first year of the programme (January – December), you will complete a taught paper (EDUX 901).
Research proposal
In the second year you will complete a research proposal and present it at a Confirmation Seminar, normally in July.
Thesis research
Thesis research will begin after confirmation of the thesis proposal. The thesis should be between 50,000 and 60,000 words in length.
Research to Practice Portfolio
As part of your thesis research you will submit a research to practice portfolio consisting of evidence documenting the connection between your research and professional practice and how the research has informed and enhanced your practice. The portfolio should be between 10,000 and 15,000 words in length.
What is the length of the Programme?
You should complete the whole programme within six years of part-time study. Earlier completion is possible. The coursework will normally comprise part-time study for one calendar year. The thesis may be completed by either full-time or part-time study.
What are the entry requirements?
You should have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in education or related fields, with first or upper second class Honours or equivalent; or
- A Bachelor’s degree with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (with distinction or credit) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (with distinction or credit); or
- A Master’s degree in education or related fields.
You should also have at least five years of professional experience in education or related fields.
What are the Delivery Methods?
- Primarily delivered as a distance programme.
- One-week residential school at the beginning of each year for the first two years of study (2008: 21-25 January).
- Online seminars and workshops.
- Presenting a research proposal on campus.
- Cohort-based, collaborative learning in a community of practice.
- Coursework taught by a team of senior academics and professionals.
- Theses supervised by leading researchers, facilitated by face-to-face meetings and/or advanced communication technologies.
Application Form
Download the Application for Admission to a University of Otago College of Education Doctor of Education Programme (58k in PDF format)
Applications close 31 October.
Further information
Doctor of Education Handbook (249k in PDF format)
Regulations for the Doctor of Education (Revised) (28k in PDF format)
Teaching/Delivery Methods for the Doctor of Education (20k in PDF format)
Contact
Professor Kwok-Wing Lai
Tel 03 479 8806
Email wing.lai@otago.ac.nz
Dr Fiona McDonald
Distance Teaching Co-ordinator
Tel 03 479 4949
Email fi.mcdonald@otago.ac.nz