The Doctor of Education is a 108-unit research higher degree, comprising 27 units of doctoral coursework topics and 81 units of research incorporating a 45 unit dissertation. The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work over three years full-time or the equivalent part-time and is subject to the University Research Higher Degrees policies and procedures.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally:
- hold an approved bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2A from an approved tertiary institution or qualifications deemed equivalent by the Dean (Education); and
- have at least five years’ relevant work experience in education or an education-related area, demonstrating seniority and expertise in their employment context (e.g. state and national education departments or education-related human service organisations); and
- can demonstrate commitment, innovation, and excellence in practice in their field
The Dean (Education), under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, may admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature. Such persons must present evidence to the satisfaction of the Dean (Education) of their suitability for doctoral studies (e.g. evidence of producing peer reviewed publications or as an investigator on a competitive grant).
Any applicant who is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy at Flinders University, and who wishes to undertake the Doctor of Education will be considered on a case by case basis. In determining whether admission will be offered, the College’s Research Higher Degrees Committee will consider how the student could draw upon his/her practical experience to theorise and research the educational questions which are posed throughout the Doctor of Education, in addition to considering whether the applicant meets the normal admission criteria.
Note: Qualifications deemed equivalent to a Bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2A, include a Masters degree with a research component, completed within the last ten years, with a grade point average of Credit or better.
Course aims
The Doctor of Education provides candidates with advanced and specialist studies enabling them to develop advanced skills and knowledge to undertake a variety of advanced professional roles in education. It is expected that graduates of this award will be able to integrate and apply the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge that are required to progress education policy, management and practice.
The course also enables candidates to make an original, sustained contribution to knowledge in education policy, management and practice through a major research dissertation and to develop an advanced understanding of politics and ethics of education policy, research and management.
Learning outcomes
Graduates of this award will be able to:
- integrate and apply the multidisciplinary skills and knowledge that are required to progress education policy, management and practice
- utilise knowledge gained of research principles and methods in order to plan, execute, communicate and be accountable for original research that makes an original, sustained contribution to knowledge in education policy, management and practice
- develop an advanced understanding of the politics and ethics of education policy, research and management.
Program of study
To qualify for the Doctor of Education, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic (see ^ below for additional requirement for topic EDUC9973 Critical Scholarship and Research Design), according to the following program of study.
Specialisation and supervision are available in the following areas:
- Social Justice in Education
- Special Education
- Community, Institutional and Corporate Education
- Indigenous Education
- Physical and Health Education
- Educational Leadership and Management
- Language Education
- Educational Governance and Policy
- Cultural issues in Education
Every effort is made to facilitate students to study areas directly relevant to their own work needs.
All students must gain at least a Credit grade in EDUC9973 Critical Scholarship and Research Design to proceed to Year 2 of the course. Students who are not permitted to proceed to Year 2 but who have successfully completed the first year of the degree (36 units) as per the Master of Education (Research) Program of Study, may exit with the Master of Education (Research).
Core - Year 1 topics
EDUC9971 Key Issues in Education (9 units) - Advanced coursework
EDUC9972 Preparation for Research (9 units) - Research/research preparation
EDUC9973 Critical Scholarship and Research Design (9 units) - Research
Plus one of the following:
EDUC9974 Researching the Profession (9 units) - Research
EDUC9975 Research Project (9 units) - Research
Core - Year 2 & 3 topics
EDUC9976 Educational Futures (9 units) - Advanced coursework
EDUC9977 Research Transfer: From Scholarship to the Profession (9 units) - Advanced coursework
EDUC9978 Research Practice and Analysis (9 units) - Research/research preparation
EDUC9979A Dissertation* (45 units) - Research
* As a component of a research higher degree the dissertation topic is time based and is available both full-time and part-time.
