Doctor of Education

Ed.D.

This Professional Doctor of Education (EdD) programme offers you the opportunity to work with active researchers who have international reputations in their field; our particular strengths include critical research practices, creative practices, educational theory and philosophy, and trans-professional policy studies. You will study as a member of a group of experienced professionals, where collaborative learning and peer support is encouraged.

Campus Chester
Course Ed.D.
Length 4-7 Years Part-time
Start date September 2011

The programme is designed to enhance the research interests of a wide range of graduate professionals working across the education sector, such as universities, schools, government agencies and voluntary bodies, as well as catering for those working beyond education, such as in human resources and health care. The common factor for all potential students is the ways in which their professional role is concerned with aspects of education or learning.

The programme is carefully structured and delivered to accommodate the demands of professional work, whilst ensuring that face-to-face tuition and peer support still flourishes; this balance is achieved through part-time study at weekend schools and evening sessions.

Why study this course: 

A doctorate is one of the highest forms of academic achievement, and when you graduate from this professional and practice-orientated programme you will find that your academic and professional status are significantly enhanced. This EdD programme is designed to be highly relevant to the exploration, analysis and development of your professional practice, and there is a focus on practitioner research; you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge that will enable you to engage in sustained research into your practice.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

In order to be awarded this Education Doctorate, you must complete a discrete programme of 520 credit points: 260 points will be awarded for the completion of six taught modules, and 280 points will be awarded for a thesis and the accompanying viva.

This EdD normally follows a five-year part-time programme, with the first three years comprising taught modules through weekend schools, and the final two years are spent in the research and preparation for a thesis. The organisation of the programme is as follows:

Year 1

  • Research Methods for Professional Enquiry
  • Social Theory & Education: Key Issues and Debates

Year 2

  • Critical Policy Analysis for the Public Services
  • Creative Practices

Year 3

  • Institutions, Discontinuities and Systems of Thought
  • Thesis in Context

Years 4 and 5

  • Thesis Research Project
Next: Assessment

The assessment strategy on this programme is designed to help you develop the research skills and knowledge that will equip you to identify research topics and questions, investigate these through appropriate research methodologies and theoretical frameworks, and finally to engage in sustained research into an aspect of professional practice to produce your thesis dissertation. You will also be enabled to engage in debate in a viva, and subsequently to enter into the broad field of education research through conferences and publications.

 

The taught modules comprise a variety of assessment methods to develop critical thinking, arguments and analysis of professional practice. These include essay and report writing, practice-based portfolio work, and presentations. The programme assessment culminates in the submission of your thesis and your viva examination.

Next: Careers

A doctorate is one of the highest forms of academic achievement, and graduates from this professional and practice-orientated programme will find that their academic and professional status are significantly enhanced, potentially providing opportunities in areas such as: educational practice, teaching and lecturing, leadership, administration, management, further research, publication.

Next: Entry requirements

Normally the student would be expected to have completed a Masters degree before enrolling on the Education Doctorate.

Beginning: Overview

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