Doctor in Education (EdD)

NIE offers the Doctor in Education (EdD) programme, designed for professionals in education and education-related fields, who would like to extend their expertise and training and develop skills in research, evaluation and reflection on practice.

Assistant Dean, Higher Degrees by Coursework, assists the Associate Dean, Higher Degrees and Strategic Partnerships in overseeing the implementation, and academic and student matters, for the programme.

Assistant Dean, Higher Degrees by Coursework Associate Professor Hairon Salleh

• Important Notice

  For more information about the programmes offered for the August 2021 intake, please click here.

  Click here for the application details for January 2022 intake.

• Introduction

  The National Institute of Education Doctor in Education (NIE EdD) programme is based within Singapore’s national education institute with a strong reputation in teacher education and educational research. With the mission of nurturing leaders for change in the education professions, the NIE EdD received its first intake of students in 2012. The programme took its inspiration from the Doctor in Education (Dual Award) programme with the Institute of Education, University College London, which began in 2007. The impetus for the inception of the NIE EdD was motivated by the desire to create a professional doctorate in education for leaders in education that is uniquely NIE. Since its inception, the Office for Graduate Studies and Professional Learning at NIE has continually taken steps to review and renew the programme. Several revisions on the programme have been carried out to ensure that graduates of the EdD receive equally rigorous scholarly preparation as graduates of the PhD.
  
  The current programme structure with a total of nine specialisations is a significant step forward in expanding the impact of the NIE EdD as a doctorate for professionals in education and education-related fields. The programme affords deeper learning in six courses (each of 4 Academic Units) with the total coursework requirement remaining at 24 Academic Units. Working with a Research Supervisor, students continue to complete a dissertation of 60,000 words and conduct rigorous and in-depth research to make significant contribution to the scholarship and advancement of educational practice. The revision of the fee structure in 2018 from semester-based to course-based will afford greater flexibility to students in terms of pace and scope of learning without compromising depth of learning, thus maintaining the high quality of doctoral work by our students.

• Overview

  The Doctor in Education (EdD) programme is designed for professionals in education and education-related fields. It is targeted at professionals who have a commitment to improvements at their workplace, and in extending and honing their professional expertise in their respective fields of education in both research and practice domains. It acknowledges expertise that candidates have attained in their field by respecting and building on the wealth of their professional knowledge, while at the same time inviting them to examine and investigate their professional knowledge in a reflective, collaborative, critical and research-based way so as to make meaningful significant impact on professional practice, and on their own professionalism and professional identities. The programme also prepares candidates for leadership in managerial and administrative positions who can use and extend existing knowledge to solve educational problems. It is of value to academic staff in universities and colleges, school leaders and teacher leaders in both private and public organizations, and professionals engaging in education and education-related work in private and public settings. It has the rigour and expectations of a PhD, but with a professional focus. The EdD programme seeks to engender professional leaders who can demonstrate that they have critically reflect and examine the professional knowledge in their respective fields of education, yet make significant contribution to the scholarship of educational professional practice. It also seek to empower professional leaders to demonstrate advancement in the investigation of educational professional practice through the conduct of systematic and rigorous inquiry into a field-based issue or problem, and in so doing, provide a good response to current and emerging complex real world problems.

  The NIE's EdD programme, benchmarked against educational doctorates from international universities with highly reputable graduate schools of education, has the following key design and delivery characteristics:

  • A view of learning as located within communities of knowledge and practice, through the deliberate building of a cohort community among students,
  • A teaching programme with a clear purpose and coherence, staged in such a way that it takes students' rich and diverse professional knowledge and expertise as a starting point for their academic investigations into professional practice, and scaffolds, through carefully staged and incrementally organized coursework and assignments, their capabilities to critically examine and to research dimensions of this practice,
  • A course-intensive programme (in which the coursework component makes up a substantial portion of the degree) that prepares students for, and eases the passage into dissertation research,
  • Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, the provision of flexibility, choice and focus through a programme that offers both core courses as well as nine specialisations,
  • Coursework component can be completed within 1 yrs (full-time) and 1.5 yrs (part-time), and that the necessary content and research capacities for the dissertation component have already been built-up by the time the final course is complete, and
  • A dissertation that demonstrates students' mastery of the skills of rigorous and in-depth research into their professional context and a specific aspect of their practice, and provides original insight and improvement in practice.

• Entry Requirements

  1. You must hold a Bachelor's and Master's degree with good grades from an approved university which we judge to be of satisfactory standing, plus at least four years' relevant experience in education or education-related fields.

  2. You may, in addition, be required to pass an approved English language test at a specified level and other prescribed tests.

  You will be interviewed by the Academic Group that offers your selected specialisation courses, and may be required to have gained educational and work experience as a prerequisite to these courses.

  For international applicants, more information on the entry requirements can be found here. 

• Structure

  The programme comprises 24 Academic Units inclusive of 3 core courses, 2 specialisation courses in one of the nine specialisations of your choice, 1 open elective course, and a dissertation.

  Core Courses

  • NEDD901 Literature Review Methods
  • NEDD912 Research Methods I
  • NEDD913 Research Methods II

  
  Specialisation Courses

  
  Curriculum and Teaching

  • EDCT901 Inquiry into Curriculum and Teaching
  • EDCT902 Advanced Studies on Assessment and Learning

  
  Educational Leadership and Change

  • EDLC901 Current and Emerging Theories and Practices in Leadership and Management
  • EDLC902 Ethics for Leaders

  
  English

  • EDEL901 Sociolinguistic Perspectives on the Classroom
  • EDEL902 Language and Literature Education
  • EDEL903 Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Theory and Practice
  • EDEL904 Critical Literacy: Theory, Practice, and Research in Context

  
  Humanities and Social Studies

  • EDHS901 Issues and Research in Humanities Education
  • EDHS902 Curriculum Leadership in Social Studies

  
  Learning and Motivation

  • EDLM901 Theory, Research, and Practice in Teaching and Learning
  • EDLM902 Understanding Learner Motivation: Theory, Research and Practice
  • EDLM903 Advances in Early Childhood Education: Issues and Trends
  • EDLM904 Advances in Special Education: Issues and Trends

  
  Mathematics

  • EDME901 Theoretical Perspective and Issues in Mathematics Education Research
  • EDME902 Curriculum Studies in Mathematics

  
  Science

  • EDSC901 Foundations of Science and Science Education
  • EDSC902 Science Curriculum Change and Curriculum Evaluation
  • EDSC903 Science as Practice
  • EDSC904 Assessment of Students’ Alternative Conceptions and Conceptual Change
  • EDSC905 Science Discourse: Language, Literacy and Argumentation
  • EDSC906 Representations and New Media in Science Education
  • EDSC907 Critical Studies in Science Education

  
  Technologies and Technology-Mediated Learning Environments

  • EDTM901 Trends and Issues in the Use of ICT in Education
  • EDTM902 Theoretical Foundations of Technology-Mediated Learning Environments

  
  Visual and Performing Arts
  
  Art Focus: 

  • EDVP901 Research and Issues in Art Education
  • EDVP902 Visual Arts and Creativity

  
  Drama Focus: 

  • EDVP911 Drama Education, Curriculum and Assessment
  • EDVP912 The Teacher as Facili-Actor

  
  Music Focus: 

  • EDVP921 Issues in Music Education
  • EDVP922 Philosophy of Music Education

  
  

  
  Open Elective

  One elective course from the general graduate offerings at NIE to be chosen in consultation with the Research Supervisor.

  
  Dissertation

  A 60,000 word research-on-practice based dissertation.

  Download the course descriptions for Doctor in Education
   

  Important note for matriculated students:
  Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult your programme leader if you need clarifications.

• Period of Candidature

  The Doctor in Education is offered on both part-time and full-time basis. The candidature periods are as follows:

  Full-time	Up to a maximum of 5 years
  Part-time	Up to a maximum of 7 years

• Fees

  Our tuition fees are subject to revision on a yearly basis. More details can be found here.

• Application for Admission

  There is generally only one intake for this programme, in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in April/May to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

  Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

  Applications are to be made online.

  More information on required documents for application can be found here.

  You will be required to state your approved Research Topic and name of EdD Supervisor in your application document. Before you submit a formal application, please identify your prospective supervisor in your desired research. To identify a potential supervisor:

  1. Browse through the various Academic Groups’ webpages on the NIE website and find the Academic Group that is most relevant to your area of research interest. If your proposed research is interdisciplinary, you may need to look at more than one Academic Group.
  2. Browse through the faculty staff profiles on the Academic Group’s webpages. Read faculty CVs and their publications to identify one (or two) faculty whose research expertise matches your research interests.
  3. Email the potential supervisor with your initial research idea or proposal. The faculty member may request to meet with you to discuss your research idea.

  You may also seek clarifications regarding a potential supervisor from the appropriate AG EdD programme leaders listed here.

• Application for Scholarship

  Outstanding students aiming to pursue the Doctor in Education with NIE may apply for the Tan Poey Quee Doctor in Education (NIE-EdD) Scholarship. For further information and to apply, please click here.

  For enquiries, please e-mail Associate Professor Hairon Salleh at hairon.salleh@nie.edu.sg.

• Frequently Asked Questions

  To view, please click here.

• Related News

  • Getting Ahead as an Educator
  • Improving the Quality of Education
  • S$2m Fund Set Up for NIE Students [Channel NewsAsia (SG Tonight, TV), 14 Jan 2015]
  • $2m to Fund NIE Scholarship and Student Awards (The Straits Times, 14 Jan 2015)
  • 2m Fund Set Up to Support Local Educational Research and Trainings (Lianhe Zaobao, 14 Jan 2015)
  • The NIE Doctor in Education: Nurturing leaders for change in the education professions
  • Raising the Quality of Education
  • Developing Educational Leaders
  • Top-quality teaching and learning at Singapore’s National Institute of Education
  • Lead Teacher with a Doctor in Education (EdD)
  • Inspiring Hope Through Education

• Videos

  Please click on the Youtube link to watch the videos in full screen

  Doctor in Education (EdD) Video

  
  
  
  

  GPL Video

  
  
  
  

  NIE - the place to be for your learning journey

  
  
  
  

  Developing your passion into mastery with NIE

  
  
  
  

  Hear from our students

  Doctor in Education (EdD) experience by Dr Johnny C. Go

  
  
  

  Doctor in Education (EdD) experience by Dr Rachel Goh

  
  
  

  Doctor in Education (EdD) experience by Dr Sandra Wu Pinhui

  
  
  

  Doctor in Education (EdD) experience by Dr Chue Kah Loong

  
  
  
  

  Sharing Sessions at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016

  Overview of Doctor in Education (EdD)

  
  

  Doctoral Programmes: EdD and PhD by Policy and Leadership Studies Academic Group

  
  

  Empowering teaching, training and learning using technologies

  
  

  For more sharing sessions videos taken at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016, please click here.

• Brochure

  Doctor in Education

  

• Testimonials

  ALUMNI

  “NIE’s academic team has long established research in Singapore’s education and political economy arena. For example, Professor Gopinathan and Professor Jason Tan, whose works are relevant to my work in SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) The research journey was the best learning experience I have ever had. I was exposed to interdisciplinary theories which include education, sociology, political economy and praxeological analysis. The learning journey has developed my critical thinking and analytical capability which I deem as fundamental competencies for the 21st century. The academic members were most patient and nurturing throughout the journey. I was most fortunate to be assigned Associate Professor Lee Yew Jin as my supervisor. I would not be able to complete my EdD journey without his guidance.” Dr Gog Soon Joo Chief Futurist & Chief Research Officer, SkillsFuture Singapore EdD (Dual Award), Class of 2014 - Getting to Know Series, 2016   (click to read more)

  “The EdD course work introduced me to qualitative research methods and has enhanced my ability to collect, manage and interpret rich and illustrative data that are often missing in quantitative methods. Currently, I am using qualitative methods in some of my research work especially in understanding the ideas and concerns of my patients and students.” Associate Professor Tham Kum Ying Education Director, Tan Tock Seng Hospital; Assistant Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, Singapore EdD (Dual Award), Class of 2017

  “My EdD experience provided the socialisation into the research and academic worlds in a rigorous manner - bridging the divide between research and educational practice. I now draw from my practitioner experience and the academic world to develop new ideas and perspectives. In the process, I have a stronger sense of my professional self and greater personal work satisfaction.” Dr Theresa Thor Deputy Principal/Academic Studies, Raffles Institution EdD (Dual Award), Class of 2017

  “It had been a great privilege for me to study at the NIE! I benefited much from interacting with some of the most experienced educators in the region. The scholarly and professional conversations in class provoked much thought and deepened my appreciation for our collective "wisdom of practice". Special thanks to all our caring professors and mentors!” Dr Johnny Go Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Education, Ateneo de Manila University, The Philippines EdD (Dual Award), Class of 2017 Luceat Lux Award, Xavier School, Philippines

  “The programme gave me the same sort of structuring that I felt I needed, and it gave me the opportunity to work with lots of other very interesting people, and to feed off their ideas and to share thoughts and experiences with them. ” Dr Linda Mary Hanington Former Head, Teacher's Language Development Centre EdD, Class of 2016 Tan Poey Quee NIE-EdD Gold Medal Winner 2016

  “It's a reassuring feeling that you get. You can count on your professors to give you a second opinion and to help you through problems that you face when writing your dissertation.” Dr Chue Kah Loong Lecturer, Psychological Studies, NIE EdD, Class of 2016 Tan Poey Quee NIE-EdD Book Prize Winner 2016

  “I strongly recommend NIE’s programmes because of its rigour, scholarship and advancement of educational practice in Singapore’s education system.” Dr Rachel Goh Teaching Fellow, Curriculum, Teaching & Learning, NIE EdD, Class of 2017 Tan Poey Quee Awards for Best EdD Student & Best EdD Dissertation 2017

  “My most sincere thanks to the academic staff at NIE who are nurturing and inspiring. They have truly made my pursuit of higher education achievable, satisfying and memorable.” Dr Tan Gim Hoon Senior Assistant Director, Regulation and Standards, Quality Assurance, Early Childhood Development Agency EdD, Class of 2018 Tan Poey Quee NIE-EdD Gold Medal Winner 2018

  
  

  CURRENT STUDENTS

  “The orientation in NIE is that the breadth and depth of readings can come from any part of the world. So I think that is the part that is precious, you know, that we see the intersection between research done in any part of the world, and in relation to Singapore. That is why I chose to study in NIE in Singapore.” Ms Lim Pik Ying, Elaine Former Director, Humanities Branch, Curriculum Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Education Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL), NIE

  “We really do have quite an international mix of people here and multicultural perspectives, so it's a way that we can kind of look at the world through an Asian lens, or a Singaporean lens, but also an international lens, and I think that's really unique to NIE.” Ms Andrea Strachan Vice-Principal, Canadian International School Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL), NIE

  “I think without the multi-disciplinary focus, we will not be able to tap from NIE professors, from different disciplines, from experts from various fields. And without that body of knowledge, and that multi-dimensionality of knowledge, I will never be able to achieve the successes and the research outcomes that I was after.” Mr Pang Yew Huat, Christopher Senior Lecturer, Nanyang Polytechnic Learning Sciences and Technologies (LST), NIE

  “The NIE EdD journey has been an eye-opening experience. It has changed how I framed my role as an educator, from simply a messenger of textbook information, to one of a mentor and teacher of critical thinking and change. The applied nature of the EdD programme keeps me focused on the real-life needs of the industry and this has allowed me to be innovative in creating learning solutions that can actually be implemented and make a difference.” Mr Jonathan Foo Media Industry Learning Sciences and Technologies (LST), NIE

  “Doing the Doctor in Education (EdD) programme at NIE is an inspiring and amazing journey. Through the interactions with various faculty members and classmates, this particular programme at NIE opened up my mind to many interesting research possibilities. Most importantly, EdD programme at NIE encourages and assists me to conduct a meaningful and effective research study. Thus my journey and experiences with NIE are motivating, exciting, creative, and educational.” Mr Krit Niramittham Pianist and piano teacher Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), NIE - Video Testimonial in English - Video Testimonial in Thai

• Contact Us

  • E-mail: nieadmpp@nie.edu.sg
    (for administrative enquiries related to admissions and application)

  • E-mail: higherdegrees@nie.edu.sg
    (for administrative matters related to programme matters such as time-table, study plans)

  • Programme Leader: Associate Professor Hairon Salleh
    (for specific academic enquiries related to the programme such as curriculum requirements)

  • List of AG EdD Programme Leaders

  Specialisation	AG EdD programme leaders
  Curriculum and Teaching	Asst/P HENG Tang Tang
  Educational Leadership and Change	A/P Jonathan GOH
  English	Dr. Willy Ardian RENANDYA
  Humanities and Social Studies	Dr. CHEE Min Fui
  Learning and Motivation	A/P Gregory Arief D LIEM
  Mathematics	A/P NG Swee Fong
  Science	A/P LEE Yew Jin
  Technologies and Technology-Mediated Learning Environments	A/P CHEN Wenli
  Visual and Performing Arts	Asst/P TAN Yuh Chaur Leonard