Course details

Summary

The degree of Doctor of Education is awarded on the basis of submission of a thesis and the completion of coursework. The coursework is an integral and constitutive part of the thesis research of the degree. The thesis should give evidence that the candidate has the ability to carry out research, has shown originality and independence, and has made a significant contribution to knowledge in their particular profession. A research to practice portfolio consisting of evidence documenting the connection between the candidate’s research and practice and how the research has informed and enhanced practice should be submitted as part of the thesis. It is expected that some of the work in the thesis would be worthy of publication. The programme should be of a kind which a diligent and competent student might reasonably be expected to complete within six years of part-time study.

Structure of the Programme

There are two components to the programme:

Coursework: the candidate is required to complete coursework to the value of 60 points on a part-time basis (undertaken by enrolling for EDDC 911 twice; in the second half of the first year of study and the first half of the second year of study).

Thesis research: once admission to the programme is confirmed, the candidate may proceed to thesis research (EDDC 9).

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities). Every applicant must have:

• a Bachelor’s degree in education or related fields, with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Division I) 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), including an appropriate research component; or
• a Master’s degree in education or a related field (with distinction or credit).

Every applicant must have at least five years of experience as a professional in education or related fields and be a leader in their field.

The applicant should present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22; Paper-based TOEFL score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.