Doctoral Programmes

Program Overview

The UCD School of Education offers various doctoral programs, including the Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning and the Structured PhD in Children and Youth Studies. These programs provide advanced research training and foster expertise in specific areas of education. Additionally, the Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology prepares individuals to work as professional educational psychologists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning:

• Overview: The UCD Structured PhD in Education is a challenging, rewarding, and exciting graduate program with an international reputation.
Graduates are employed in various roles, including academics, teachers, school principals, and education policy makers.
• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to conduct original research that contributes significantly to the field of education.
Students must complete a substantial thesis (around 80,000 words) detailing their research study.
• Description: The program includes a structured component of 30 credits of taught modules, including at least one research methods module.
Students can choose other modules from the School of Education or the College of Social Sciences and Law.
• Objectives: The program aims to provide students with a deep understanding of their research area and the complex social issues facing contemporary childhoods and youth.
Graduates are equipped to apply their knowledge in various professional roles.
• Description: The program includes a structured component of 30 credits of taught modules, including at least one research methods module.
Students can choose other modules from the School of Education or the College of Social Sciences and Law. The program can be completed full-time over 3-4 years or part-time over 6 years. An accelerated option allows students to transfer directly to the third year of the part-time route after completing the MSc in Children and Youth Studies.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Overview: This program prepares students to work as educational psychologists.
It involves taught components, extensive professional placement experience, and the completion of a doctoral-level research thesis (30,000 words).
• Objectives: The program aims to provide students with the theoretical framework and practical experience necessary to work as professional psychologists in educational and healthcare settings.
Students will develop critical thinking skills, research abilities, and the capacity to conduct research at the doctoral level.
• Description: The program is offered full-time over three years and includes online modules and tutorial support.

Outline:

Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning:

• Content: The program focuses on original research in education, culminating in a thesis of around 80,000 words.
• Structure: The program includes a structured component of 30 credits of taught modules, including at least one research methods module.
Students can choose other modules from the School of Education or the College of Social Sciences and Law.
• Course Schedule: The program can be completed full-time over 3-4 years or part-time over 6 years.

Structured PhD in Children and Youth Studies:

• Content: The program focuses on original research in children and youth studies, culminating in a thesis of around 80,000 words.
• Structure: The program includes a structured component of 30 credits of taught modules, including at least one research methods module.
Students can choose other modules from the School of Education or the College of Social Sciences and Law.
• Course Schedule: The program can be completed full-time over 3-4 years or part-time over 6 years.
An accelerated option allows students to transfer directly to the third year of the part-time route after completing the MSc in Children and Youth Studies.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Content: The program covers a wide range of topics, including child development, special educational needs, inclusive education, school systems, counselling, psychological assessment, and research methods.
• Structure: The program is divided into three years of full-time study.
• Course Schedule: The program is offered full-time over three years.
• Individual Modules:
• Year One:
Inclusion and Equality in Education, Child Development Theory Applied to Practice, Educational Psychology Practice 1, Psychological Theories and Interventions, Educational Psychology Practice 2, Research Methods
• Year Two:
Educational Psychology Practice 3, Educational Psychology Practice 4, Advanced Research Methods Qualitative and Quantitative, Research Thesis Preparation

Assessment:

Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning:

• Methods: The program culminates in a substantial thesis of around 80,000 words detailing the student's original research study.
• Criteria: The thesis must demonstrate a significant contribution to knowledge and typically leads to peer-reviewed publications in academic journals or a published monograph.

Structured PhD in Children and Youth Studies:

• Methods: The program culminates in a substantial thesis of around 80,000 words detailing the student's original research study.
• Criteria: The thesis must demonstrate a significant contribution to knowledge and typically leads to peer-reviewed publications in academic journals or a published monograph.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Methods: The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including essay-based assignments, research assignments, professional placement portfolios, individual and group presentations, observed administration of test instruments, supervised professional practice, and the completion of a doctoral thesis (30,000 words).

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Methods: Some modules are delivered online, and online tutorial support is provided.

Careers:

Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates are employed as academics in leading universities, teachers, school principals, and education policy makers and innovators in the public and private sector.
• Opportunities: The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of careers in education and related fields.
• Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after by employers in the education sector and beyond.

Structured PhD in Children and Youth Studies:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates can pursue careers in research, policy, practice, and advocacy related to children and youth.
• Opportunities: The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.
• Outcomes: Graduates are equipped to work in a variety of settings, including schools, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates are prepared to work as educational psychologists in a variety of settings, including schools, healthcare settings, and private practice.
• Opportunities: The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to address a wide range of educational and psychological issues.

Other:

Structured PhD in Education and Lifelong Learning:

• Other: UCD provides a range of support services for graduate researchers, including library study pods, research training, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Students are also supported in applying for grants and scholarships.

Structured PhD in Children and Youth Studies:

• Other: UCD provides a range of support services for graduate researchers, including library study pods, research training, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Students are also supported in applying for grants and scholarships.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology:

• Other: Successful applicants must undergo a Garda clearance procedure before final acceptance.