Doctor of Education (EdD)
The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a program of research and advanced study which enables the candidate to make a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in their professional context. The candidate may also contribute more generally to scholarship within a discipline or field of study. The EdD is an award different from, but complementary to, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The EdD is recommended for those who wish to study and research in areas associated with their professional life in education.
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Master’s degree from a recognised institution, with demonstrated research skills and relevant research experience.
Graduates of the Doctorate Program will be equipped to assume advanced professional and leadership roles, including:
- Senior Educational Researchers
- Educational Leaders and Policy Influencers
- Specialist Education Consultants
- University Academics and Lecturers
- Curriculum and Policy Development Specialists
These outcomes prepare graduates to lead high-level research, influence educational policy and reform, drive institutional improvement, and contribute significantly to the advancement of education nationally and internationally.
Candidates NOT continuing to thesis units may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Educational Research if they successfully complete ED801, ED802 and ED803. Candidates gaining Credit grades or better in these units are eligible to proceed to thesis units.
This unit aims to assist candidates to clarify their research problem by analyzing the context from which it is derived and by doing an initial search of relevant core literature to identify conceptual issues which illuminate and amplify the problem.
This unit aims to assist candidates to master the skills of searching for relevant key research literature that will inform their research topics, critique and select those that are significant, are generally published in reputable databases, and widen the study problem.
In the designing the research study unit the candidates acquire different research paradigms and perspectives, research methodologies or approaches and their methods of data gathering strategies, sources of data, data gatherings tools and forms of data analysis techniques.
Semester 4: This unit is to complete a research proposal based on the work done in units ED801, ED802 and ED803, submit an ethics clearance application form to the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC), gain approval and, confirmation seminar presentation for candidature to proceed with data collection. A candidate is expected to consider UREC feedback and amend planned activities as necessary.
Semesters 5 & 6: The unit is the period for field data collection, anticipated to take 6 months. Data is recorded and iteratively analysed. Candidate on data display, analysis and interpretation procedures as well as use of suitable software.
This unit focuses on writing the thesis results chapter. Candidates develop outlines, organise key themes, prepare draft sections, and refine their work through regular feedback from principal and co-supervisors. The process strengthens academic writing, critical analysis, and presentation of research findings in a clear and structured manner.
In this unit, candidates critically interpret research findings through relevant theories and reviewed literature while developing a compelling discussion chapter. They also craft the concluding chapter, addressing the research questions and problem statement. Candidates finalise the thesis by proofreading, verifying references, preparing preliminary pages, and delivering a pre-completion seminar six months before examination submission.