Doctor of Education (300BB) // Course structure

Course structure

The first part of the Doctor of Education consists of 100 points of coursework.

Doctor of Education candidates must complete the following four doctoral-level subjects (each 25 points):

• Laying the Foundations for Your Research (EDUC90870)
• Methodological Foundations (EDUC90868)
• Writing a Literature Review (EDUC90867)
• Doctor of Education Thesis Proposal (EDUC90869)

Full time Doctor of Education candidates complete their coursework component in their first year, part time Doctor of Education candidates over their first and second years.

Doctor of Education candidates must gain at least an H2A average in the coursework component, including at least an H2A result in the Doctor of Education Thesis Proposal subject (EDUC90869), to proceed to the thesis.

The second stage of the program consists of a 55,000 word thesis.

Full time Doctor of Education candidates complete their thesis over the second to fourth year of candidature, part time Doctor of Education candidates over years three to eight.

In the six months prior to submission of their thesis, Doctor of Education candidates must present their research findings at a public Completion Seminar attended by their Advisory Committee.

Core subjects

Doctor of Education 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)).

Subject options for Doctor of Education candidates who commenced their degree prior to 2017

Doctor of Education candidates who are well advanced in their coursework and who commenced their degrees prior to 2017 may enrol in appropriate 12.5 point subjects from the Master of Education (960AC) and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education's specialist masters courses for which they have the prerequisites. These Doctor of Education candidates also may take the Doctor of Education Thesis Proposal subject (EDUC90869) as a 12.5 point subject.

These Doctor of Education candidates are required to consult with the Course Coordinator to see which enrolment options suit them best.

Thesis

Detailed information on the thesis is available at Graduate Research Hub.

Last updated: 21 February 2025