Thesis

Twelve credits · Graduate

This 12-month thesis course is for full-time thesis students to complete all required thesis elements: proposal (introduction; survey of literature; methodology and data collection) completion and submission, proposal presentation, proposal revisions (if required), research/ethics approval (if required/applicable), data collection and analysis, thesis (introduction; review of literature; methodology and data collection; analysis and findings; discussion, interpretation, implications, conclusions, and recommendations) completion and submission, thesis defence, thesis revisions (if required). Twelve credits. EDUC 599A Thesis A This 12-month thesis course is for part-time thesis students to complete the following initial thesis elements: proposal (introduction; survey of literature; methodology and data collection) completion and submission, proposal presentation, proposal revisions (if required), research/ethics approval (if required/applicable). Students should also begin data collection and analysis. Six credits. EDUC 599B Thesis B This 12-month thesis course is for part-time thesis students to complete the following final thesis elements: data collection and analysis, thesis (introduction; review of literature; methodology and data collection; analysis and findings; discussion, interpretation, implications, conclusions, and recommendations) completion and submission, thesis defence, thesis revisions (if required). Six credits . Note: At the completion of either EDUC 599 or EDUC 599B students who have not yet completed and successfully defended their thesis would be registered in a continuation course and required to pay the equivalent of a 3-credit tuition and fees for each an additional 4-month period. 9.18.3 Ph.D. in Educational Studies The Ph.D. in Educational Studies is offered in partnership by St. Francis Xavier University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Acadia University. This research-oriented doctoral program is jointly administrated by the Inter-University Doctoral Administrative Committee (IDAC). Applicants are admitted to one university and graduate from that home institution of record. Doctoral students can focus their studies on one or more of six interrelated themes: curriculum studies, educational foundations and leadership, inclusive education, lifelong learning, literacies, and the psychological aspects of education. Applicants are encouraged to review the research interests of education faculty members at all three participating universities, available at their respective websites. An average of 14 students normally will be admitted each year: six at MSVU, four at St FX and four at Acadia. Students enrol in EDUC 9001 and 9002 on site in July at one of the three universities. The site for these two courses will rotate amongst the three universities from year-to-year. Students complete EDUC 9010 and 9100 with their dissertation advisor and their committee at their home institution of record. The remaining courses are delivered using an e-learning platform. In some instances, doctoral students may arrange to enrol in an existing topic-related masters level course, augmented with doctoral level analysis and applications. Doctoral students have the right to take courses and seminars and use the academic facilities of any of the three participating universities in accordance with their approved plan of study. EDUC 9001 Foundations of Educational Inquiry This course examines the purpose, process, nature and ideals of education. Students will engage with enduring educational philosophical and theoretical traditions and perspectives, the history of educational thought and the philosophy of education, in particular. A variety of foundational perspectives provides deeper understandings of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of education. Co-requisite: EDUC 9002. Three credits. EDUC 9002 Methodological Perspectives on Educational Research This course examines of the importance of methodological paradigms in educational research (building on the foundations of educational inquiry). Students investigate ontological assumptions; epistemological views; the role of logic, sound evidence and justified beliefs; axiology (values and biases); and rhetorical (research reporting structures) components of educational inquiry. Co- requisite: EDUC 9001. Three credits. EDUC 9003 Doctoral Seminar: Contemporary Educational Theory This course explores how educational philosophy, research paradigms and theories are manifested in contemporary educational research debates and dialogues. Through an intensive examination of a range of theories that inform studies in education, students gain an advanced and comprehensive understanding of contemporary educational theory within the Canadian and international contexts. Prerequisites: EDUC 9001, 9002. Co-requisite: EDUC 9004. Three credits. EDUC 9004 Focused Educational Studies This course will provide for focused exploration of research topics that reflect the research interests of the current roster of doctoral students. In a seminar setting, individual students will study the research and theoretical literature in the educational area(s) that inform their research interests. Prerequisites: EDUC 9001, 9002. Co-requisite: EDUC 9003. Three credits. EDUC 9005 Advanced Research Seminar: Focus on Methods Students will gain detailed knowledge and technical expertise related to methods appropriate for their particular research question(s), aligned with their chosen philosophical and methodological orientations. Issues related to particular research design processes will be addressed. Prerequisites: EDUC 9001, 9002. Three credits. EDUC 9006 Selected Topics Educational Studies Three credits. EDUC 9007 Selected Topics Educational Studies This course provides students with an opportunity to explore selected topics in educational studies related to the literature associated with their research area. Prerequisites: EDUC 9001, 9002. Three credits. EDUC 9008 Independent Study Three credits. EDUC 9009 Independent Study The curriculum for this course will be determined by the supervisor of the course in consultation with the student and other faculty members, as necessary. Prerequisites: EDUC 9001, 9002. Three credits. EDUC 9010 Comprehensive Examination: Research/Scholarly Portfolio Students will develop and orally defend an extensive scholarly portfolio demonstrating sufficient breadth, depth, creativity and engagement to undertake substantive research in their field. The portfolio will demonstrate students’ knowledge and competence in each of five areas: general knowledge of educational theoretical traditions and trends, in-depth knowledge of their specific focal area, research and methodological knowledge and competence, professional competency in their focal area, and teaching competency in their professional area. The portfolio is created concurrently with EDUC 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9005 and any EDUC 9006, 9007 and/or EDUC 9008. Nine credits. Pass/Fail. EDUC 9100 Dissertation The dissertation must constitute a substantial and original contribution to the study of education. Students must prepare a research proposal for approval by an appropriate faculty dissertation committee, complete the proposed study, and defend the completed thesis in a final oral examination. Prerequisite: EDUC 9010. Eighteen credits. Pass/Fail.