Maynooth University

Overview

The Higher and Adult Education program at Maynooth University offers an opportunity for seasoned education professionals to enhance their research capabilities and embark on a PhD journey rooted in professional practice. This doctoral program is crafted to foster advanced skills through a structured framework of supervision, peer collaboration, and focused research training.

What you'll study

The program integrates taught research modules with personalized doctoral research, allowing students to progressively develop their projects through coursework and continuous supervision.

Key taught components may include:

• Education: Infrastructures, Political and Policy Contexts
• Beyond Quantitative and Qualitative Research
• Communicating Practitioner Research
• Developing Professional Practice
• D.H.A.E. Support (program support and research development)

Doctoral research component:

• Crafting a research proposal, including a thesis title and summary
• Ongoing individual and group supervision, along with participation in peer learning activities
• Advancement through program milestones culminating in the submission of the doctoral thesis

For the latest information on curriculum and module sequencing, please refer to the program website.

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess a relevant primary degree that lays a solid academic groundwork for doctoral studies. Entry is evaluated based on the applicant's academic history and the relevance of their proposed research direction, without specific GPA or grade thresholds outlined for this program.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Higher and Adult Education program are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths in educational leadership, policy development, and academic research. The skills acquired throughout the program enable alumni to make significant contributions to the field of education, influencing practices and policies at various levels. Opportunities may also arise in consultancy, program development, and higher education administration, reflecting the program's emphasis on transformative learning and critical inquiry.