Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Online: January, July
- Townsville: January, July
- Cairns: January, July
Fees
Course fees are not applicable for Domestic students
Student Services and Amenities fee payable
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2024, which are indicative only of the upcoming year's.
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry Requirements
Course Code
111102
Course detail
Take the next step in your career and become a leader in the field of Education. JCU’s Doctor of Education is designed for professionals currently working in Education or who hold formal Education qualifications and wish to contribute to their field through research and discovery.
To complete this doctorate, you will identify a research topic (a theoretical or practical issue of educational significance) and design and carry out a research project to investigate that issue. You will then write a substantial thesis that discusses relevant literature, the perspective and methodology adopted in the research, and the findings and significance of your research.
Study flexibly with the option to undertake the Doctor of Education online while still being able to access support on-campus if you choose to visit.
Pursue your passion for Education and contribute to the advancement of your industry through JCU’s Doctor of Education. Upon graduation, you can pursue further research, academic teaching and research positions, and leadership roles within Education.
Your research topic
Applicants need to discuss their proposed research topic with an appropriate research supervisor.
To look for an appropriate supervisor, use the Find an Advisor service from the Graduate Research School.
A Doctor of Education (Research) from JCU will empower you to contribute your original ideas to the ever-developing field of Education. The advanced research skills and knowledge base that you accumulate will enhance your career as an educator.
With a Doctor of Education (Research), you might find a passion for educational research. Those who continue on as research and teaching academics contribute to an expanding body of research on educational strategies and pedagogy. You may find yourself presenting findings at conferences, both in Australia and internationally, and examining student data to identify and explore trends.
A Doctor of Education (Research) from JCU will also provide you with the knowledge and skills to progress your career within schools. You may return to the classroom and use the insights you have gained to further develop your teaching. You could explore opportunities within school leadership, as a Principal or Deputy Principal. Your high-level communication skills and experience managing workloads will assist you greatly in this pathway.
You may also find yourself working for various educational organisations, helping to supervise curriculum, teacher accreditation, or educational policy. Depending on your area of research specialisation, there are numerous opportunities for you to explore.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024. |
Course code | 111102 |
Course type | Doctorate by Research (AQF level 10) |
Owner | Graduate Research School |
College | Arts, Society and Education |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Requirements for admission can be found at HDR Degree Requirements |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Additional selection requirements | Applicants must have practised in education or a related field approved by the Head of Education for a minimum of three years. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
EFTSL to complete (equivalent full-time student load) | 4 EFTSL |
Course learning outcomes | Graduates of a Doctoral Degree will have: Knowledge
Skills
Graduates of a Doctoral Degree will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:
|
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
PD7007:00 Professional Doctorate Research Thesis (Education)
RD7001:03 Planning the Research: Doctoral Candidates
RD7002:03 Situating the Research: Doctoral Candidates
RD7003:03 Professional Development: Doctoral Candidates
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | |
JCU Townsville |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Maximum time to complete | 8.5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 6 months |
Progression
Supervising body | Research Education Sub-Committee (RESC) |
Confirmation of candidature | |
Supervision | |
Progression | |
Subsumption of coursework subjects | Subsumption permitted |
Maximum credit points of coursework subjects | 21 credit points of non-core coursework subjects |
Allowed coursework subjects | As approved by the Dean, Graduate Research School |
Credit
Eligibility | A person admitted to candidature on the basis of previous enrolment in a research Masters degree relevant to the proposed Doctoral program, may be given credit transfer for work towards the Masters degree. In exceptional cases credit may be given to a candidate for relevant research work undertaken at another university. |
Maximum allowed | The amount of credit to be awarded shall be determined by the RESC on the recommendation of the Academic Head. |
Other restrictions | The University will not normally accept a candidate who has been enrolled at another institution for more than two years (full-time equivalent) or release a candidate who has been enrolled for more than two years (full-time equivalent). |
Award Details
Award title | DOCTOR OF EDUCATION |
Approved abbreviation | EdD |
Inclusion of field of research on testamur | The field of research shall not appear on the testamur. |
Exit with a lesser award | After examination of the thesis and subject to the requirements under HDR Degree Requirements, the RESC may approve the degree be not awarded but that the candidate be awarded an appropriate Masters degree. |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
JCU, with the support of the Australian Government’s Research Training Program, will cover the costs of tuition fees for Australian citizens/permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
All candidates can also apply for a competitively-awarded stipend to help with living and tuition costs.
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
Explore pathways into this course through the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Research Methods. If you have no previous research methodology study, you may wish to apply for the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods. If you have previously studied a research methodology subject, discover how the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods can assist you in transitioning into Higher Degree Research.
For more information on your pathways into research, contact our friendly JCU Future Students Team.
To be eligible for entry, applicants must have attained at least one of the following:
a) a Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class, Division A (Honours) in a degree program that included a total of at least a semester of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the Honours grade;
b) a postgraduate qualification which included: (a) supervised research component(s) of at least one semester or equivalent and resulted in the production of output(s) graded at the equivalent of Distinction or better, and (b) at least one research methods subject;
c) a Research Masters degree, where at least two thirds of the degree consisted of a supervised research component and resulted in the production of a thesis or equivalent;
d) enrolment at this or another Australian university in a higher degree by research for the equivalent of at least 0.5 EFTSL with demonstrated satisfactory performance in the supervised research component(s);
e) a combination of qualifications, research training and experience, considered equivalent to the above by the Dean of the College to which the Candidate is applying, e.g., senior authorship of at least one peer-reviewed publication plus completion of an appropriate research methods subject.
Visit the Graduate Research School website for more information, and then complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.