Doctor of Education (EdD)

The principal aim of the programme is to make a significant contribution to the advanced professional and academic development of those concerned with education and its cognate fields, to the ultimate benefit of the wider educational community.

At the end of the EdD study, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate a range of issues of concern to professionals in education and cognate areas, at an advanced level;
• Analyse the complex interplay of theory and practice in education and/or between education and its cognate areas;
• Apply appropriate skills in educational research and enquiry; and
• Carry out independent research which will represent a significant and original contribution to academic and/or professional knowledge in education.

To enter the Doctor of Education programme, a student should:

• Hold a recognized Master's degree (by research or coursework) in education or a related area; and
• Satisfy the University English language proficiency requirements.

The EdD programme includes two stages, moving from a broad-based understanding of educational issues in the coursework component to independent investigation of a specific issue of professional concern in the Thesis. 

Stage 1: Coursework component

 Students admitted to the full programme are required complete at least 24 credit units as follows:

1. 9 credit-units of core courses from Table 1; and
2. 15 credit-units from Tables 2 and 3 of which at least 3 credit-units must be from Table 2.

Table 1. Core course

Table 2. Prescribed courses

Table 3. Elective courses

or other courses offered by E&L subject to SRDC's recommendation and University's approval

Stage 2: EDU9999EED EdD thesis (40,000 to 50,000 words)

After enrolment in Stage 2, students will develop a revised detailed research proposal which should be an extension of their Project in EDU9991EED. Normally, they will be required to submit this revised proposal within about four to six months. The proposal should demonstrate:

• A clear formulation of the research question(s) or hypothesis(es);
• Understanding of the theoretical frameworks involved;
• An initial literature review;
• Knowledge of research in related areas; and
• A viable plan for the collection and analysis of data.

Satisfactory development of the detailed research proposal is necessary for further progress in Stage 2. For full-time students, the minimum time for the Thesis is one year and the maximum is two years. For part-time students, the minimum time for the Thesis is two years and the maximum is five years.

The application procedure involves the following stages:

1. Prior making a formal application, applicants should identify a potential supervisor at the School and initiate a discussion about their proposed field of study. Applicants are advised to apply for the degree only after reaching a consensus with a potential supervisor.

2. All applicants should complete the online applications form by end of April 2024 (for full-time) or end of June 2024 (for part-time). Please refer to the application website http://admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/rpg/submit-application/

3. Along with this form, applicants should send:

• The application fee
• A detailed of the proposed Thesis;
• Reference forms completed by two referees; and
• Copies of degree certificate(s) and transcript(s).

4. Selected candidates will be required to attend interviews as part of the selection process and final offers will be made for places on the programme in late August.

Factors which will be taken into account in assessing the suitability of candidates for the programme will include:

• The brief research proposal which all applicants are required to submit;
• Performance in, and the coverage of, their master's degrees;
• Other relevant experience mentioned in the application form; and
• Performance in the interview.

For general enquiries about the programme, please contact:

Tel: 2768 5878        

Email: el_adm@hkmu.edu.hk

For further enquires about the program, please contact the Programme Leader Dr William Tang at wtang@hkmu.edu.hk