Overview
This programme, the only member of The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate outside the US, will help you hone your writing, research, analytical and leadership skills to the highest standards.
The four-year, part-time programme is open to professionals working in education or related fields. You’ll get the chance to work with leading experts and complete research study in one of the following areas: digital learning; education for sustainable futures; inclusive and special education; leadership and evaluation; and professional learning and teacher education.
Feel supported every step of the way
The first two years will involve a taught programme, while the final two years will focus on research under the guidance of your supervisors. You’ll also benefit from a blended learning approach, with modules delivered on campus and online.
Once you graduate, you’ll be highly sought after for roles in academia, community-based organisations, consultancy, government and non-governmental organisations, the health sector and human resources management. You’ll also be an excellent candidate for leadership positions.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
The Doctor of Education is intended for experienced professionals who wish to take on leadership roles and make a significant contribution to the enhancement of professional practice in education and related fields including:
- Community based organisations
- Consultancy
- Education
- Government Agencies
- Health Sector
- Human Resource Management
- Industry
- Non Governmental Organisation
Entry Requirements
Applications for this programme will open on the 1st of November 2023 Please contact ioe-research-office@dcu.ie for an application form. Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is the 29th March 2024.
General Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements for the programme is a second class or higher Master's degree (or equivalent) in education or a specific discipline area appropriate for one of the Areas of Professional Focus.
All candidates are typically required to have a minimum of five years professional experience or hold a position of responsibility for at least five years related to the chosen Area of Professional Focus.
In exceptional circumstances only, candidates for a Professional Doctorate degree who do not meet the stipulated entry requirements based on their cognate degree but who can demonstrate exceptional ability or aptitude for academic research may apply to pursue studies for a research degree. They may base their application on recognition of their accredited or experiential prior learning, in line with University policies in this regard.
For further information on this please contact ioe-research-office@dcu.ie
Qualification
Postgraduate Research
Fees
Part time
EU Status Fee Part-time
In years one and two the fee is €5,500 per annum, in subsequent years the fee reduces to €2,942 per annum, consistent with the postgraduate research student fee structure.
Non EU Fee Part time
In years one and two the fee is €10,400 per annum, in subsequent years the fee reduces to €6,000 per annum, consistent with the postgraduate research student fee structure.
Programme Structure
Our part-time EdD programme is typically over four years with the first two years involving a taught programme and the final two years focused on research under the guidance of your supervisor(s).
It is also intended that the participants will have an opportunity to:
- Situate their learning and research within their own professional practice
- Develop problem-solving skills for authentic and critical problems of practice in partnership with others;
- Apply their learning to their professional practice and/or context;
- Develop project management and time management skills;
- Develop and enhance their leadership potential as well as the skills appropriate for collaboration, networking, and teamwork and communication skills;
- Develop interpersonal and intra-personal reflective capacities, critical and analytical skills and presentational skills;
- Extend their knowledge of and expertise in competing and complementary research paradigms and genres (including philosophical approaches to enquiry);
- Critique policy frameworks and their application in the interrogation of policy documents and/or; international contemporary issues and the manner in which these are refracted nationally within educational discourses;
- Critically engage with published research, become highly skilled in academic writing and publishing for a variety of educational audiences.
The programme, offered within DCU's Institute of Education includes assessed taught courses, research-focused workshops and supervised original research.
The Doctor of Education programme is a blended learning programme with a mix of on-campus and online sessions. Building community and cohort solidarity is an important aspect of the programme and therefore year one starts with an on campus summer school in August, where students get to meet their colleagues and faculty in a supportive environment. The online aspect of the programme consists of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous learning to facilitate flexible learning periods, interactive and self-directed learning, reflection and meaningful critical conversations. An online platform (Loop) is available for access to material from on campus and online sessions.
Indicative dates
August 19th - 23rd On Campus
September 27th / 28th On Campus
November 1st / 2nd Online
December 6th / 7th On Campus
January 24th / 25th Online
March 7th / 8th Online
April 11th / 12th On Campus
- Week long Summer School on campus August 2024 (week beginning August 19th)
- Semester One: Two weekends on campus and one weekend online.
- Semester Two: One weekend on campus and two weekends online.
Weekends typically consist of Friday evening lectures 4.30 - 8.30 and Saturday lectures 9.00 - 6.00 pm.
Modules (65 credits)
- Professionalism and Leadership in Education and Training, 15 credits (Summer school module)
- Area of Professional Focus Module 15 credits
- Policy Analysis, 15 credits
- Research Methods 1: Qualitative Research Skills 20 credits
6 weekends Friday and Saturday between September and April
Modules
- Area of Professional Focus Module 15 credits
- Research Methods 2: Quantitative Research Skills for Data Informed Decision Making 20 credits
- Research Methods 3: Developing a Thesis Proposal 20 credits
120 credits
- Research Thesis
120 credits
- Research Thesis
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Applications for this programme open on November 1st 2023. Please contact ioe-research-office@dcu.ie for an application form. Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is March 29th, 2024.
How to Apply:
Please contact ioe-research-office@dcu.ie to express an interest in the programme. When the application process for the 2024 intake of the programme opens you will automatically be sent an application form.
Following receipt of completed pre-applications, suitable applicants will be invited for an interview in April - May 2024. Successful applicants will then apply through the Student Application Portal.
All applicants must submit the following documentation:
Certified academic transcripts for all years of study at college or university in original language, with certified English translations;
Letter of approval from the Institute of Education.
Draft Research Proposal
Academic Letter of reference
Applicants are advised to make your application as early as possible to ensure documentation validation is complete.
If you need a study visa and are a Non EU student, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Opening and Closing Date:
Stage 1 pre-applications are now closed
Stage 2 applications are open for successful pre-applicants until 14th June
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU St Patrick's Campus
FAQs
What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
-
Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012
-
Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
-
Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
-
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
