Educational Research

Educational Research

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

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

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.

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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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Maren Aukerman

    Maren Aukerman

    Accepting Inquiries
    Meaning-making, literacy, classroom discourse
  2. Subrata Bhowmik

    Subrata Bhowmik

    Accepting Inquiries
    L2 Writing, EAP, Sociocultural Approaches to L2 Learning
  3. Barbara Brown

    Barbara Brown

    Accepting Inquiries
    Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, K-12 Teaching and Leadership
  4. Amy Burns

    Amy Burns

    Accepting Inquiries
    Educational Leadership and Teacher Education
  5. Tonya Callaghan

    Tonya Callaghan

    Unavailable
    Anti-Oppression & Anti-Homophobia Education; Critical Social Justice; Critical Theory; Curriculum Theory; Qualitative Research; Women & Gender Studies
  6. Catherine Chua

    Catherine Chua

    Unavailable
  7. Roswita Dressler

    Roswita Dressler

    Accepting Inquiries
    Second Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistic Identity
  8. Sarah Elaine Eaton

    Sarah Elaine Eaton

    Accepting Inquiries
    Ethics in Educational Contexts
  9. Placeholder Profile Image

    Janet Groen

    Accepting Inquiries
    Adult Learning
  10. Dr. Michele Jacobsen

    Michele Jacobsen

    Accepting Inquiries
    Learning Sciences, Educational Technology, Graduate Education and Peer Mentoring

Admission requirements


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:

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

Learn more about this program

Educational Research graduate program

Education Tower, Room 114
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.5675

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Werklund School of Education

2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
 

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Related programs

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