Doctor of Education in Child Study and Education
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4 years full-time |
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For future leaders in child study areas |
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8 half-courses (4.0 FCE), plus |
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All seminar based courses |
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Online, flex and on-site courses |
The Doctor of Education (EdD) program is only available on a full-time basis.
Program Chair: Rhonda Martinussen
Core Faculty:
Anne Claude Bedard, Jody Chong, Yiola Cleovoulou, Eunice Jang, Steven Katz, Clare Kosnik, Rhonda Martinussen, Angela Pyle, Richard Volpe
Program Length:
4 years full-time (program can be completed in under four years)
Time Limit:
6 years full-time
NOTE: This program is not funded.
Program Highlights
Program Overview
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Two Key Streams
1. Special education (e.g., policy, perspectives, contexts, pedagogy)
2. Security, child and youth wellbeing (child and teacher mental health, resilience, learning environments, early years, equity)
*Will choose electives as area of emphasis to support dissertation of practice – recorded on transcripts.
You may be a good fit for this program if:
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You want to earn a doctorate degree
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You are interested in pursuing a leadership position (Ex. – principal, director, college & university lecturer, consultant, developer of policy or curriculum)
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You are looking to gain expertise in your field
- You wish to solve a problem of practice in your field
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You have at least three years of work experience
How is the EdD different from a PhD?
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Just as academically rigorous as a PhD
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The EdD is less theoretical and more applied – meant to address problems of practice
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Set do-able goals that can be accomplished while you are working
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Designed to move working professionals efficiently through doctoral degree while you are working – guide you through the research process
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Aim is to build knowledge and skills in a particular area
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You want to earn a doctorate degree
Program Requirements
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Year 1
Fall
Winter
Summer (May to Aug)
APD3301H
Issues in Child Study and Education: Research and Professional Inquiry
APD 3302H
Advanced Study of Critical Issues in Special Education, Mental Health and Security
APD3303H
Advanced Study of Tools and Research Methods for Investigating Problems of Practice: Data-Driven Research for Decision-Making
Year 2
Fall
Winter
Summer
APD3304H
Research Proposal Development
Research Methods course selection from list
Elective – select from list
Elective – select from list
Year 3
Fall
Winter
Summer (May to Aug)
Thesis (Dissertation in Practice)
APD3305H
Systems and Organizational Change
Thesis (Dissertation in Practice)
Year 4
Fall
Winter
Summer (May to Aug)
Thesis (Dissertation in Practice)
*Please note that course timing may shift as we organize this new program.
*Summer half courses run from May to June or July to AugustAfter students complete: APD3302H Advanced Study of Critical Issues in Special Education, Mental Health and Security, students will then be able to select an area of Emphasis that complements their identified problem of practice:
Thesis (Dissertation in Practice)
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Program Structure
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1. Coursework: Students must complete 8-half courses (4.0 full-course equivalents-FCEs). Please refer to the Program Structure tab for more information.
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Program is 3 or 4 years in length (normally 4 but can be completed in 3 years)
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One half course per term (including spring/summer):
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In-person in year-1 (subject to change due to COVID-19)
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Then flex or online
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Flex = synchronous (can attend class in person or online at the time lecture is happening)
Online = asynchronous (attend online at no particular time)
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Year 1 fall and winter: Foundation courses
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Spring/Summer and Year 2: Guided through research methods and proposal in courses plus 2 half course electives (focus on one of three areas of emphasis – spec ed, early childhood, well-being)
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Year 3 and 4: Development of dissertation in practice – applied (not theoretical) and course to help with applying to practice
2. Structure of Dissertation of Practice:
- Coherent topic highlighting a challenge in educational practice
- Research proposal – situate prob of practice in the specific context of the field
- Agree upon focus with committee
- Ethics submission
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Dissertation of practice paper
- Literature review and/or policy analysis related to challenge
- Methods section (methodology) - investigation of challenge and possibly solutions
- Results
- Extension of results (how applies to your practice)
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Areas of Emphases
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Students will choose an area of emphasis to gain a deeper understanding and expertise within their stream: 1) Special Education or 2) Security, Child and Youth Wellbeing.
Students are required to complete two elective half-courses in one of three areas of emphasis:1) Early Years and Early Learning or 2) Special Education; and 3) Mental Health and Wellbeing.
*Elective offerings are subject to change each year.
(0.5 FCE)
lay and Education (0.5 FCE)
Symbolic Development and Learning (0.5 FCE)
Foundations of Literacy Development for School Age Children (0.5 FCE)
Language Acquisition and Development in Early Childhood (0.5 FCE)
Research Early Learning: An Overview of Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology (0.5 FCE)
Early Learning Practice, Research & Policy (0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
(0.5 FCE)
Admission Requirements
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Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies as well as the following admission requirements of the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development.
We encourage equity-seeking groups to identify themselves in their application.
Items to Submit when Applying:
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CV
- Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate level)
- Letter of Reference from Employer
- Academic Letter of Reference from a professor
- Writing sample (MRP, QRP, Master’s level paper, something you’ve written to contribute to a board, a policy document, an article you’ve written, etc.)
- Faculty Questions
Master's Degree
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MA in Child Study & Education/Master of Teaching degree OR MEd degree in Education OR Master of Arts degree in education or psychology
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MEd or other non-thesis master’s degree – Application components must provide evidence of your ability to identify a research question or problem, to design and conduct a research study and to report the findings in a rigorous manner.
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Applicants with master’s degrees in other disciplines may be eligible to apply for admission, but may have to complete additional courses in Developmental Psychology and/or Child Study.
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High academic standing (equivalent to a B+ or better) from a recognized university.
Work Experience
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Normally applicants will have in-depth work experience (minimum of 3 years of current/recent work experience) in an education related field within a school or community setting.
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Identify how work environment will be able to support and facilitate research related to your problem of practice, which is a major outcome of this degree
Letter of Reference from Employer
The overall aim of the letter from the employer is to verify that they support your goals and believe in your ability to conduct applied research within the school or community setting. They can comment on things like:
- Interpersonal skills
- Professionalism and work ethic
- Organization, problem-solving, and planning
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and response to stress
- Ability to take direction and feedback
- Curiosity, leadership, creativity
Academic Letter of Reference
Providing a letter from a former professor or instructor is the strongest way to represent your academic abilities.
You can remind the instructor of your capabilities by providing transcripts, a past essay or assignment or a list of academic awards and achievements. If it’s just not possible to have a professor or instructor write the letter, perhaps a supervisor/employer could provide the reference. It is appropriate for the professor or employer to comment on academically focused characteristics such as:
- General impressions of your ability to collaborate with others
- Oral and written language proficiency
- Problem solving ability, creativity
- Organizational skills
- Research ability
- Technical expertise
- Research software knowledge
- Any other academic assets you would bring to our program
Qualifying Research Paper (QRP) Requirement for those with non-thesis Master's Degree
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Can take many forms
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Looking for evidence of scholarship
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Demonstrate that you can identify a research question or problem, to design and conduct a research study or project, and to report the findings or results, all in a rigorous manner.
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Provide a writing sample that highlights your ability to write clearly and analytically about issues in education and/or child study
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Can be a qualifying research paper, a great Master’s level paper, something you’ve written to contribute to a board, a policy document, an article you’ve written, etc.
Faculty Questions
- Please clearly outline your program intentions. You should include the following: highlight your research interests; describe your professional experiences and how these relate to your research interests and proposed problem of practice; state the problem of practice you have in mind/what it is you want to study; what focus do you have in mind; what do you want to improve; what do you need to know to take action; what do you want to think more deeply about; what skills do you want to develop?
- How will your work environment be able to support and facilitate research related to your problem of practice.
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CV
How to Apply
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The next start date for this program is September 2022.
Applications for Fall 2022 are now open.
The academic school year for this program begins only in September.
We encourage equity-seeking groups to identify themselves in their application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for Applicants
FAQ's
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It’s not necessary to connect with a faculty member. You may, however, wish to consider who could act as your supervisor in the field. This person would mentor you and attend occasional meetings to provide a field perspective. You may wish to ask your reference if they would be willing to take on this role.
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It’s okay to focus on high school or post-secondary students. Child Study actually includes the full life span.
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Tuition and Financial Support Information (click Tuition and Fees tab for chart)
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You can opt out of certain fees using Acorn, which is a system used by students to pay tuition, enroll in courses, etc. Acorn provides a breakdown of fees.
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What if I am not currently working?
This is not ideal, but is okay as long as you have at least 3 years of work in your field to draw upon and will be able to apply a problem of practice. -
How do I submit transcripts during Covid-19?
The Office of the Registrar and Student Services (ORSS) is still accepting hard-copy official transcripts. Processing is significantly delayed, but this won’t negatively impact your application.
OISE-UOFT
Graduate Admissions Unit
8th Floor, 252 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
The ORSS can also accept secured/encrypted CONFERRED e-transcripts if your university can provide them directly with a passcode. E-transcripts can be sent to admissions.oise@utoronto.ca.
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Contact Us
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Program Inquiries:
APHD Department
General Inquiries
oise.aphd@utoronto.caORSS Contact:
Anil Purandaré
Doctoral Registration Specialist (EdD & PhD)
oise.doctorate@utoronto.ca
If you are a current student, you may contact the program coordinator below, otherwise please email us at oise.aphd@utoronto.ca for your program inquiries.
Program Coordinator:
TBD
oise.aphd@utoronto.caProgram Chair:
Dr. Rhonda Martinussen
rhonda.martinussen@utoronto.ca