1999 Education Handbook - Doctor of Education (EdD)

Doctor of Education (EdD)

General information
Introduction to course
Objectives
Admission requirements
Credit provision
Course outline
Length of course/workload required
Further information

General information

Clayton campus
Course code: 0177
Contact: Associate Professor Terri Seddon or Mrs Sue Webb

The Doctorate of Education is a rigorous research-based and research-driven degree. It is oriented to the improvement of professional practice by extending the knowledge, expertise and skill of students through the application of research to educational problems and issues.

Objectives

The objectives of the Doctor of Education course are to provide students with knowledge and understanding which should enable them to:

demonstrate their ability to design and carry out an independent research project that makes a significant and original contribution to educational knowledge and practice;
demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of current research in their chosen specialist area;
have the ability to access and critically analyse current research in education using the relevant library information services, research indexes and the internet;
have an understanding of a range of research methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods and the capacity to use appropriate research approaches, to address questions, issues and problems arising from practice in educational settings;
acquire a detailed familiarity with educational policy-making practices, policy issues and trends in Australia and internationally;
have the ability to write in appropriately clear and relevant styles for research and professional journals;
have the ability to act as agents for research, innovation and development in the various roles they may go on to play in the education system.

Admission requirements

A degree with honours (first or upper second) from any Australian university; or a masters degree in education or educational studies (including a research component) from an Australian university or any recognised overseas university and
a minimum of three years professional experience in an educational institution or as a member of an occupation closely related to education or any occupation judged appropriate by the Faculty of Education; and
demonstrated ability to carry out independent research.

Credit provision

Applicants contemplating admission to this course may seek formal credit or recognition of prior learning. Applicants should apply for credit prior to enrolment but currently enrolled students may also apply. The Faculty of Education considers each application on its merits within the context of the faculty guidelines on credit transfer which are contained in a booklet Learning from experience available from the Professional Development Institute, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Gippsland campus, Churchill 3842 ($7 postage and packing).

Course outline

The EdD is a research degree consisting of a combination of coursework and research.
The course is available on campus and an external mode is being planned for introduction in 1999.

The on-campus mode

Candidates may choose a program of study in their area of interest. These programs reflect the faculty's recognised expertise in teaching and research. They aim to engage candidates in a consideration of relevant approaches to research and methodology, philosophical, historical, psychological or sociological perspectives, and fields of study such as educational policy, management and curriculum studies.
After successful completion of the two core and two elective semester-length coursework subjects, a candidate will be required to enrol in the research component, the first part of which is a compulsory research seminar. The focus of the research seminar is the development of a research proposal for presentation to an assessment panel at the conclusion of the seminar. Once the panel has approved the proposal, candidates may proceed to the thesis writing stage.
Candidates are required to take:

Core subjects

GED0901 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 1
GED0902 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 2

plus two elective subjects from the following list:

Elective subjects

EDN5901 School effectiveness and improvement: research, policy and practice
GED0911 Research essay
GED2903 Educational management: theory, research and practice
GED2907 Human, financial and capital resource management in education
GED2909 Social context of education and training
GED3901 Philosophical issues in curriculum development
GED3902 Policy and management in tertiary education
GED3904 Law and educational administration
GED3905 Improving the quality of education
GED3907 Lifelong learning
GED3908 Schools for tomorrow
GED4902 Teachers' work: research and policy
GED4911 Research methods: scale construction and analysis
GED4912 Research in specialist curriculum areas
GED4913 Assessment, evaluation and the curriculum

By resolution of the faculty board, each subject of the degree is offered conditionally upon there being a sufficient demand for it from enrolling students in any given year and appropriate staffing available.

The external mode (proposed for 1999)

The faculty is planning to offer the EdD course to candidates who wish to take advantage of the flexible delivery mode. In 1999 the course may be available in this mode to part-time students only and, if offered, will involve a combination of www-based teaching and supervision, and residential study.
The subject structure for this mode is identical with that of the on-campus mode, in that the core double subject (GED0901/GED0902) must be taken in the first year, followed by two elective subjects. For students commencing in the 1999 academic year, the structure will be as follows:

January 1999

Two-week summer school at Clayton campus: enrolments; introduction to the course; orientation to Monash; introduction to electronic and information facilities; introductory reading for core subject teaching; establishing supervisory arrangements; preparatory reading for research topic.

First and second semesters, 1999

Core double subject (GED0901/GED0902) delivered in www-based mode, including on-line tutorial direction and support, on-line discussion forums, and multimedia materials.

Year 2000

Two elective subjects delivered by flexible www-based mode, involving on-line tutorial direction and support, on-line discussion forums, and multimedia materials. (On-campus versions of the subjects may also be available during summer school.) Preparatory reading and development of thesis proposal.

Year 2001 (and subsequent)

Three week summer school: workshops on research methodology, research seminars, theoretical and data analysis, and thesis preparation. Continued thesis development with on-line supervision and discussion forums. An additional 5 day residential period is required each year, the form of which can be negotiated.

Length of course/workload required

This course consists of three years full-time study taken on campus. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is forty-eight.

Further information

Details of all subjects, including reading lists, follow the course information in this handbook. Not all subjects are offered each year and students should consult the timetable or the course adviser.
Further details are available in the EdD brochure available from Mrs Sue Webb (telephone 9905 2803) or visit our web site at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/