Boosting the learning curve

Doctor of Education
HKIEd

Many teaching staff in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong do not have doctoral degrees. Acquiring such is crucial for professional educators wishing to develop their career paths. Hence, the demand for doctorates in education.

Demand also comes from those who already possess master's degrees or equivalent academic qualifications from the mainland or overseas. The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) programme to help local teachers boost their qualifications.

The EdD programme is aimed at experienced educators and professionals in education settings wishing to extend their expertise in specialised areas, and their professional knowledge in a broad range of educational contexts. 'More than half our EdD students have teaching posts in kindergartens, primary or secondary schools, or post-secondary institutions,' says an HKIEd Graduate School spokesperson.

The programme offers a choice of four specialised areas to major in - curriculum and assessment, educational studies, language and culture, and wellbeing and health.

'The HKIEd has the largest critical mass of experts in education and related areas in Hong Kong, including renowned researchers or leaders in their fields, and provides world-class supervision to our EdD students,' says the spokesperson.

Applicants should hold a master's degree in education or a cognate field relevant to their chosen specialised area, plus four years' professional experience. Students are required to complete 72 credit points. The time frame for finishing the programme is three to seven years.