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Postgraduate Studies
Doctor of Teaching
Who should enrol in the Doctor of Teaching?
The course has been designed to meet the needs of educational consultants, curriculum advisers, teacher-researchers, and practising teachers with extensive classroom experience, including resource teachers, language teaching specialists, reading specialists, information technology, and those involved in counselling, pastoral care and moral and religious education, as well as those working in the post-secondary and tertiary sectors including nurse educators and educational psychologists.
Is this a HECS based of a full fee paying course?
The new research-based Doctor of Teaching (DCTEAC) was introduced in 2004. The degree is fee-paying at the rate of $6,800 per full time 80 credit point year for Australian domestic students, with part timers paying on a pro rata basis. This rate is subject to change from year to year at the discretion of the University Council.
These notes should be read in conjunction with the common rules for Professional Doctorates at CDU which are available at
http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/policies/policies_course.html
Is it possible to obtain a scholarship?
The move to a researched-based Doctor of Teaching means that students are now able to apply for:
- Australian Postgraduate Awards and University Postgraduate Research Scholarships, if Australian citizens or permanent residents and studying full time; and
- Fee waiver scholarships, for domestic students (Australian citizens or permanent residents).
Please note, however, that students enrolled in a research-based degree cannot obtain loans under the PELS scheme.
If I am already enrolled in the old Doctor of Teaching (DOCT22), can I transfer to the new course?
All students, except those who are in the process of submitting their thesis, may apply to transfer to the new course. Research Branch will assess the research content of the units completed as part of the new course. Transfer is not automatic and students should discuss their options with the course coordinator. Graduate Options undertaken as part of the literature review for the thesis, the unit on Actioning the Research Project, and research methodology units undertaken as a requirement for the Methodology chapter may be counted towards the research component of the new degree. Australian students remaining in DOCT22 are able to obtain loans under the Federal Government PELS scheme. To find out more about this scheme go to: http://www.hecs.gov.au/
Continuing students can still enrol in the DOCT22 although it is no longer posted to the web. Please contact the coordinator for advice on unit selection.
Research-based nature of the degree.
At least two thirds of the Doctor of Teaching must be research-based. The degree comprises 240 credit points, with 80 Credit Points being given in advanced standing for possession of a Masters Degree or its equivalent. Students coming in with a Masters degree will normally be enrolled directly in the research component. However, students who have not studied research methodology in their Masters Degree may be required to undertake research units as directed by the Course Coordinator. These are listed in Appendix 1.
Should I be enrolling in the Doctor of Teaching or a PhD? What is the difference between the two?
The Educational Doctorate has always been distinguished from the PhD by the inclusion of a distinct practical thesis component. The practical emphasis on research into teaching has been retained in the new degree. Teacher-researchers normally undertake practical research in their own field of teaching. Such research may involve teachers in researching their own practice or developing innovative approaches to teaching which take into account local conditions. This may involve building on, or adapting, approaches or materials used elsewhere, showing how they have been adapted by the teacher-researcher concerned. At the same time, an increasing number of students are working as teacher-leaders in the area of curriculum and professional development using a community of learners approach. A selection of projects completed under the old Doctor of Teaching is provided in Appendix 2. Appendix 3 contains a list of on-going projects.
What does the thesis involve?
Professional Doctorates encourage teacher-researchers to present their work in innovative and alternative ways. Such presentations may involve: the production of a video tape or CD-Rom; innovations using on-line delivery and interactive multimedia; the use of video diaries; the preparation of curriculum materials and handbooks; photographic representation or the use of other media involving collage or montage; narrative approaches including storying, Readers' Theatre, collections of poetry, and other arts-based forms of presentation; life histories; and extended correspondence or response journals.
The length of the written thesis will vary depending on the nature of the presentation. However, a minimum of 50,000 words is expected.
The practical component can subsequently be used as a marketing tool, showing the teacher-leader or teacher-researcher at work. Such research often incorporates rigorous self-critique, the participation of critical friends, and feedback from students and others. Action research and action learning methodologies predominate.
What are the entry requirements?
Candidates must be able to demonstrate seven years professional work experience, and hold a four year Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent. Exceptions can only be made with the approval of Director Postgraduate Research Studies on the recommendation of the Dean of Education, Health and Science.
What is the structure of the degree?
- For those entering without a Masters degree, 80 credit points of course work as prescribed by the Coordinator after discussion with the student. A selection of units is included in Appendix 1. However, students may select any units at 500 or 600 level if they so wish. Candidates completing their first year by coursework are required to write a three hour Major Fields Examination.
- A 160 Credit Point Thesis comprising both a theoretical and a practical element. Students enrol in EPG (Education Postgraduate Research) units to suit your chosen study pattern. The balance of theoretical and practical aspects is negotiated between student and supervisor.
Do I need ethics clearance and how do I go about it?
Before you engage in your research you must acquire ethics clearance from the CDU Human Ethics Committee. Human Ethics Committee Ethics Application forms and guidelines can be accessed from http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/ together with the dates of meetings. Papers must be submitted two weeks in advance and late papers are not accepted. Please note that you must use the CDU Human Ethics forms and not the Faculty Ethics Committee forms. New researchers should contact their supervisor for advice. Permission is not granted retrospectively. This means students cannot collect or use any data until permission has been given.
Do I need to come to Darwin for residential sessions?
Attendance in Darwin is not obligatory, although all students are encouraged to offer a seminar in Darwin when they are in the process of completing their proposal and seeking Ethics approval. This is not an oral defence of the proposal. It is merely an opportunity to share with staff and students, and hopefully obtain useful feedback. Those students who cannot get to Darwin are asked to present to colleagues locally and submit a videotape of the proceedings.
Do you hold any Summer Schools?
It is likely that the School of Education will make more use of intensive summer schools. Students will be kept informed of developments once a program has been agreed. The approach adopted will incorporate some prior reading and preparatory activities, an intensive program of lectures and workshops, and the completion of relevant, negotiated assessment tasks on return to the school or site.
Can I get any financial assistance from the Faculty
Doctor of Teaching students can claim research funding of up to $500 for each semester of full-time enrolment, or part-time equivalent, in thesis work, to a maximum of $1500 for Professional Doctorate candidates. This amount can be used to offset general project costs, the costs of binding the thesis once it has been accepted by the examiners, or can be used towards an airfare to Darwin to meet with supervisor and/or present seminars on work in progress. In exceptional circumstances candidates may submit a request in writing to the Faculty Research Committee for additional funds.
How long does the course last? The move to a research degree puts an increased emphasis on completions, and the length of time to complete the degree has been reduced. The minimum completion time for full time study is three years with a maximum of four years, depending on point of entry. The minimum completion for part time study is six years with a maximum of eight years. Students frequently underestimate the demands of a professional doctorate assuming that it is somewhat easier to complete than the PhD. This is not the case. The demands are equally as rigorous. Any student who is unable to study for a period must seek leave of absence from the Director Postgraduate Research Studies through their supervisor in writing.
HOW DO I APPLY AND WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
Expressions of interest should be addressed to the Doctor of Teaching Coordinator, Dr Mike Grenfell, in the first instance and should be accompanied by a Professional Work Experience portfolio and a brief outline of the intended research. Dr Grenfell's contact details are as follows:
Telephone: |
61 8 89466118 |
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Fax: |
61 8 8946 6151 |
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e-mail : |
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School of Education |
The Professional Work Experience portfolio . The PWE portfolio is required in order to enable the coordinator to provide informed course advice, and should provide information on the following:
- relevant practical experience;
- previous qualifications together with degree transcripts;
- involvement in in-service courses and other professional activities;
- relevant publications including course materials, Masters dissertations and Honours theses;
- ability to complete the award within the time allowed; and
- details of other professional activities the candidate considers relevant.
The object in compiling the portfolio is to provide the Faculty with evidence that the applicant has the appropriate academic and professional expertise to undertake the degree. Copies of publications are not required but may be requested at a later stage.
Area of research. Candidates must also submit a brief outline (one page maximum) of their intended research to assist with the identification of a possible supervisor. Students are invited to nominate a supervisor if they already know with whom they wish to work. It is understood that the focus of the research may change after enrolment. A list of possible supervisors is provided in Appendix . You can find out more about each supervisor's research interests by consulting their web page or by contacting them directly.
After consideration of the PWE portfolio and research outline, the coordinator will then make a recommendation to Director Postgraduate Research Studies and you will be sent a Research Degree Application Form and enrolment package.
