Research Degrees in Education

• Why do a research degree in the Faculty of Education?
• Types of degrees available in Education
• Research Expectations

 Why do a research degree in the Faculty of Education?

Research degrees in the area of Education are designed to prepare students for careers that involve the conduct of scholarly research in schools, tertiary education institutions, government departments, research agencies and consultancy. Most research degrees in education have an applied component whether by implication or directly incorporated into the research problem and outcomes. Our Doctorate of Education, however, is explicitly designed to prepare professional leaders in education and related areas.

All research students are supervised by at least one member of the academic staff with an established research reputation, and the required experience in supervision.  Normally two supervisors are appointed to strengthen the support available to the research student and to provide a broad range of advice.

For administrative information contact Jennifer Reynolds (jennifer@uow.edu.au)

Types of research degrees in Education

• Master of Education (Research)
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy - Integrated (4 years)

Research Expectations

Master of Education (Research)

The MEd (Research) provides specified research training in the form of a suite of research subjects.  The thesis will be concerned with the substantiation of an existing idea in a new context; the reinterpretation of existing data; or a substantial review of an area of research, of a standard to be publishable in a refereed review journal.  It may provide the background in research training to prepare candidates for a transfer to a PhD.

Doctor of Education

The thesis should report original work, possibly of an applied nature, into issues of professional or policy concern.  It is particularly applicable to candidates who want to bring about changes in professional practice or improve their own practice as a professional educator. It is expected that the work should be of a standard to produce refereed publications.

Doctor of Philosophy

The thesis will report original research which covers new ground and adds to the knowledge base of the discipline.  It is expected that the work should be of a standard to produce refereed publications.

Doctor of Philosophy - Integrated (4 years)

The PhD (Integrated) is a four-year research degree which integrates a traditional three-year PhD thesis with one-year of coursework, comprising generic research training and discipline-specific content into a single degree.