Doctor of Education
Course code: 300BB
4 years full time / 8 years part time
Expected candidature is 3 years full time (or part time equivalent)
January
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) places available
4 years full time / 8 years part time
Expected candidature is 3 years full time (or part time equivalent)
January
AUD $52,000 (2026 indicative first year fee)
Course structure
Overview
The Doctor of Education thesis evidences your authority and command of knowledge in relevant fields in an international context. The work shows that you have a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques, and an awareness of their limitations.
Course structure
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Course code: 300BB
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4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
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Stage one (coursework):
- This stage involves 100 points of coursework comprising four 25-point doctoral-level subjects, which cover: research design, research methodology, and reviewing the literature. These subjects have specific enrolment and commencement dates throughout the year
- The coursework can be completed over one year full-time, or two years part-time, with a minimum of 25 credit points per semester
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Stage two (research):
- This stage involves the completion of a 55 000 word doctoral thesis in your chosen field
- Full time doctoral candidates are expected to complete their thesis over the second to fourth year of candidature, part time doctoral candidates over years three to eight.
Intended learning outcomes
Intended learning outcomes can be found on the Career Outcomes page.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this degree.
Candidates must complete four compulsory subjects (each 25 points; see below). One of these, the Doctor of Education Thesis Proposal subject (EDUC90869), must be taken in the semester immediately prior to the commencement of the thesis (i.e. in semester 2 (full-time enrolment) or in semester 4 (part-time enrolment)).
| Accordion | |
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| Writing a Literature Review · 25 pts |
This subject teaches Doctor of Education candidates how to identify, analyse and synthesise published research findings that are of a high quality and relevant to their own research. Building upon this, it teaches Doctor of Education candidates how to locate their own proposed research projects and questions within the broader research literature. This subject will include practical classes on specific literature search strategies and the effective use of reference management systems and tools as well as classes focusing on the composition and writing of literature reviews. |
| Methodological Foundations · 25 pts |
This subject aims to build the methodological literacy of Doctor of Education candidates to a level that is adequate to the doctoral level of study. It addresses both more general methodological questions and concerns in the field of educational research as well as addressing specific issues connected with the use of particular research methods and the associated forms of data. This subject caters equally for candidates pursuing various quantitative and qualitative methodologies in their doctoral research projects. It provides targeted training in key research methods as well as developing the Doctor of Education candidates’ overall understanding of the use and usefulness of various research methods in the field of educational research. |
| Doctor of Education Thesis Proposal · 25 pts |
The Doctor of Education candidate will prepare under supervision a comprehensive thesis proposal, providing a clear indication of the nature and purpose of the research to be undertaken in the Doctor of Education (DEd) thesis. The proposal should contain:
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| Laying the Foundations for Your Research · 25 pts |
This subject provides a foundation enabling Doctor of Education candidates to focus and start building their own doctoral research studies. It covers key conceptual and practical issues associated with the planning and organisation of a comprehensive doctoral research study. In consultation with their supervisors, and starting from their own initial research proposals, Doctor of Education candidates will work toward developing a better understanding of the framing, focus and scope adequate for their own research studies. This will be achieved through them identifying and justifying a) the core research problem and question(s) framing their own research studies, and b) the broader approach that would be appropriate for addressing the question(s) at hand. |