Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate handbook 2005: Units indexed by faculty
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Postgraduate handbook 2005 - Education

Doctor of Education

Course code: 0177) + 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time + On-campus (Clayton), external (Clayton) + No intake in 2005
Contact: Associate Professor Ilana Snyder (telephone +61 3 9905 2773)

Course description

The Doctor of Education is a research degree aimed at the improvement of professional practice by extending the knowledge, expertise and skill of students through the application of research to educational problems and issues.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Doctor of Education requires:

a degree with honours (first or upper second) or a masters degree in education or educational studies (including research component) from an Australian university or any recognised overseas university deemed equivalent by the Faculty of Education, 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.

Advanced standing

In general, there will be scope for students who have completed coursework of equivalent standing to the units in the program to be granted exemption for the relevant component(s). Appropriate methods for assessment of equivalence of prior study will be applied either through submission of referees' reports and/or presentation of written work. Credit will not be given for previous research. Up to 50% credit may be given. A minimum enrolment period of two years full-time or four years part-time will apply to all later-year applicants.

Course outline

The Doctor of Education program consists of a combination of coursework (30%) and research (70%). The course is available on-campus or by external mode.

On-campus mode

Candidates are required to satisfactorily complete four core coursework units. These units reflect the faculty's recognised expertise in teaching and research. The core units engage candidates in a consideration of issues in educational research, relevant approaches to research and methodology, and a range of disciplinary and professional perspectives in research and fields of study such as educational policy, management, curriculum, technology and communication studies.
After successful completion of the four core semester-length coursework units, candidates, under the guidance of their supervisors, will develop a research proposal for presentation to an assessment panel. Once the panel has approved the proposal, candidates may proceed to the thesis-writing stage. The change in the coursework structure from two core units plus two electives to four core units is subject to final approval.

Core units

EDF8101 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 1
EDF8102 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 2
EDF8104 Local and global issues in education 1
EDF8105 Local and global issues in education 2

This is a conceptual outline only. It gives a general indication of how the course will progress and is subject to change without notice. Students should also consult their course coordinator to assist in planning their program. Check the current timetable for unit availability via the website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/current/timetables after 30 September.

External mode

The external mode is available to part-time students only and will involve a combination of world wide web-based teaching and supervision and residential study. External candidates must be able to access the web and have regular interactive communication with their supervisor.

Units

The unit structure for this mode is identical to that of the on-campus mode, in that the core double unit EDF8101/EDF8102 must be taken in the first year, followed by the core double unit EDF8104/EDF8105.
Arrangements will be made for students continuing in 2005, in both on-campus and external mode, who have coursework units to complete. Such students are advised to contact the faculty.

2005 (and subsequent)

Winter school to support thesis development, including workshops on research methodology, research seminars, theoretical and data analysis, and thesis preparation; continued thesis development with online supervision and discussion forums. Fifteen days of residency is required per year, although an additional residential week can be added to the winter school or undertaken at another time convenient to the student.

Assessment

Assessment will be ongoing throughout the program, and a variety of assessment methods will be used. Students will be required to pass all aspects of the course to progress and eventually graduate.
The research component will require a presentation of a research proposal finally culminating in the preparation of a research report in the form of a major thesis of 65,000 words. Though the length of the thesis will be shorter than the normal PhD thesis, the quality of the research should be of PhD level. Examination of the thesis will be undertaken in the same manner as for the PhD theses. After the thesis has been successfully examined, students are required to present their research at a faculty seminar. The presentation should focus on the ways in which the project contributes to professional practice.
Coursework objectives will be assessed using seminar presentations and written assignments.
Students who fail to meet the required standard in the first year will be required to leave the program.

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