Program Overview

Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate)

Overview

The Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate) is a research-based degree that emphasizes the contribution of original research to professional practice. It builds on a combination of coursework and thesis, including four 15-credit point research training subjects and a supervised research project culminating in a thesis of approximately 60,000 words.

Key Facts

• Award: Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate)
• Start dates: Anytime (2026), preferably aligned with Semester intake
• Duration: 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
• Learning mode: Research Training

About the Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate)

The degree includes a supervised research project that allows for an intensive investigation in the student's own professional field. The project is assessed by external examiners, and the qualification awarded on graduation is recognized in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 10 Professional Doctorate.

Academic Entry Requirement

The minimum academic requirement for entry to a Doctor of Education degree at La Trobe University is:

• A four-year Bachelor's degree, or combination of a three-year Bachelor's degree and Master's degree, in the same, or a cognate, professional domain as the Doctor of Education
• A weighted average mark of 70 or above completed within the last ten years
• Normally eligibility for registration for professional practice in Australia
• At least three years professional practice in education

Pathways

There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.

What You'll Study

A range of work-based learning opportunities are available, including internships, mentoring, and industry-linked projects. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives, and options.

Course and Career Outcomes

The Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate) will equip students to provide leadership in advanced education management, research, and academic aspects of the provision of educational services. The intended learning outcomes include:

• Mastery of a substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of a field of research or learning
• Ability to provide a critical appraisal of relevant literature and available research
• Knowledge and understanding of the methodological techniques relevant to the field of research
• A satisfactory level of literary presentation reflecting an ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and authoritative manner

Fees and Scholarships

Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents do not usually pay tuition fees for graduate research degrees, as the fees are covered by the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP). Various scholarships are available, including:

• Dennis McDermott Research Scholarships
• La Trobe Flexible Research Scholarship (FLEX) - candidates with disabilities
• Graduate Research PhD Project Scholarships
• La Trobe University - Sheffield Hallam University Joint PhD Program Scholarship
• La Trobe University - IIT Kanpur Joint PhD Program Scholarship
• La Trobe University - University of Bayreuth Joint PhD Program Scholarship
• Victorian Maternal and Child Health Nursing Scholarship
• Return of Native Title Materials PhD Scholarship
• Creating Safer Sport Communities PhD Scholarship
• Transforming early autism screening with multimodal AI

How to Apply

Applications for the Doctor of Education (Professional Doctorate) can be made directly through La Trobe University. Some courses start earlier than the standard semester, term, or study period, and applications for these courses close one week prior.