Educational Research

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Thesis-based program

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The Doctor of Education is designed for practicing professionals who seek to lead change and innovation in education. Students will gain expertise in pedagogical theory and practice while designing and conducting a significant body of original research. This thesis-based degree is designed to match the busy lifestyles of people in education-related occupations and organizations, allowing students to pursue scholarship while working. While the degree is structured as a blended, three-year program that includes course work, candidacy and dissertation, students are allowed up to six years to complete all degree requirements.

Completing this program

Core Courses: Students complete four specialization courses and research courses in participatory methodology in education, design-based research or action research. Students also complete two collaboratories of practice courses and two dissertation seminars.
Candidacy: Students will complete a research proposal and both oral and written candidacy exams.
Additional Courses: Students may complete additional research courses as electives.
Dissertation: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research dissertation.

Specializations

Full list of current specializations

Outcomes

School superintendent, school principal, post-secondary/continuing education administrator, Not-for-profit organization, medical doctor, health care organization, Corporate sector, Public/private education, School management, Education policy and governance.

The EdD in educational research is usually considered a final degree.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

Eight courses

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Blended delivery

Classroom and online delivery

Time commitment

Two years full time; four years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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GPA

A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A course or thesis based master's degree in an appropriate field.

Work samples

None

Documents

A written statement indicating the applicant’s reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate program

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None

Admission Portfolio

Applicants to the Doctor of Education program are encouraged to submit an Admission Portfolio containing examples of their work. The Admission Portfolio is especially relevant for applicants who do not hold a thesis-based Master's degree. The Doctoral Admission Portfolio may contain the following:

Thesis methodology chapter (if applicable)
Reports.
Research grants or scholarships.
Writing sample (curriculum development, conference presentations and/or proceedings)
Non-print materials, e.g. link to a personal external website, blogs
Evidence of relevant prior learning (see graduate calendar).
A Personal statement documenting research and professional skills and interests.

English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 in each section).
Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Deadlines

For admission on July 1:

Canadians and permanent residents: Dec. 1 application deadline
International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements