A clear and succinct description of your research.
A brief explanation of what you propose to research, why the research is of value and how you propose to go about it.
A thorough examination of key, recent contributions in research periodicals relating to the area of research in question. You should use the literature review to identify gaps in, or problems with, existing research to justify why further or new research is required.
A clear description of your choice of methodology, including details of research questions, methods of data collection, sampling and analytical strategy. A time schedule showing key activities would be useful.
Any literature cited in the proposal should be listed at the end of the document. Use of the Harvard style of referencing is preferred.
Breadcrumbs List.
Read our guidelines for how to plan and structure your PhD research proposal during your provisional year.
Research proposal facts Length : 20-30 pages (not more than 10,000 words) Due date : 9-10 months from your registration date Reviewed by : Two academics appointed by your supervisor
A full research proposal contains the following sections:
Different academic disciplines have different styles in how they structure this material.
For a detailed breakdown of each section, visit Structuring your research proposal .
Please check with your supervisors as to the template they want you to use.
For more details about the research proposal development please read the Generic Guidelines for Full Doctoral Research Proposals .
A research proposal is not simply a list of good ideas worth researching. It should detail:
The transition from thesis idea to well-defined proposal is often difficult. It may take several months or more. During this period, you should:
This is independent study that may not require strong or direct supervision. However, once you have identified the key questions you want to explore, it’s time to write the research proposal. For this, you should work closely with your supervisor.
Your proposal is your research and thesis writing roadmap. It also provides your supervisor and other faculty staff with information they can review, suggest improvements (if needed) and approve.
If your proposal is detailed and explicit, this will put you on the right path to conducting proper research, documenting it clearly and producing a final thesis with a high chance of acceptance.
Be aware that your first proposal is often not your final one. You will undergo a process of refining and revision, incorporating critical comments and suggestions from your supervisors and other academic staff. These revised drafts will be further reviewed before final submission to the faculty.
When developing your proposal, it’s useful to remind yourself of what the examiners will be looking for in the final completed thesis.
A good thesis will contain the following elements:
All doctorate research topics must be related to one or more specialist areas, including published literature and established methodologies.
However, that does not mean you should write for an informed niche audience. Since the proposal must receive the approval of the Faculty of Education and Social Work, it should contain enough detail to be understood by members of staff whose expertise may not be in the literature and methodology areas you have selected.
Commonly searched pages.
The Ph.D. in Education equips students to systematically examine the theoretical and practical challenges evident across the P-20 educational pipeline to address the issue of inequity. The degree program will prepare individuals for careers in academia, research, and policy centers, as well as for high-level administration and curricular positions at educational institutions and agencies.
The program offers seven concentrations:
The educational objectives for the PhD in Education are the following:
Candidates for the PhD in Education degree must complete a minimum of 54 academic credit hours, pass the comprehensive exam, and submit and successfully defend a research-based dissertation. All students in the program will be expected to complete academic core and research courses of 27 credits and concentration courses of 27 credits. The concentration courses are presented on the the relevant pages and in the PhD Program Handbook .
The Core 27 credits consist of the following:
Academic Core (9 Credits):
Research (15 Credits)
Dissertation (3 credits)
The department offers different delivery options for each concentration. For a full listing please click here .
Students in concentration areas that offer both the High and Low Residency option will be required to select their delivery mode upon admission into the program. Students who wish to switch their delivery option will need to make a formal request to the program direction with an acceptable reason.
Prospective students should complete this brief interest form to be connected to a faculty member for more information.
Admissions Deadlines:
The School of Graduate Studies coordinates the application process.
Our program offers three types of funding:
Many of our students also leverage their Tuition Remission benefits from local institutions like the USM schools , JHU , or Morgan State . Tuition Remission is determined and coordinated by your institution. We encourage you to speak with your HR representative about how to use these benefits.
Dr. Frimpomaa Ampaw Chair Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership and Policy Banneker Building #315J
P: (443) 885-1908 E: [email protected]
Interested in Our Programs? Please contact us: https://forms.gle/YU6U6CcEDYyhSraj8
Maynooth university department of education.
Qualification : PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH PH.D. (10)
CAO/PAC code : MH02G (FT), MH03G (PT)
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 30 June 2024
View FETAC details
The Structured PhD in Education is a research degree that supports students in engaging in research at the highest academic level. Students work with their supervisors to develop a substantive piece of research that makes an original contribution to knowledge in the field and tradition of educational research.
Minimum 2.1 degree (BA or MA/M.Ed ) or international equivalent in Education or a cognate area, and a proposal for original research that is accepted by the Department. Students undertake 30 credits of modules that support their research. Generally, students without a Masters undertake 60 credits of modules. Studies can be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis, and credit requirements are the same for both pathways.
IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
PTE (Pearson): 62
Maynooth Universitys TOEFL code is 8850
Course Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 5-6 years part-time
The Department of Education at Maynooth University is an exciting place in which to do postgraduate research. We have an excellent international profile and we are part of a wider research community that engages in research right across the educational continuum. Our staff and students also engage in inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional research. We have a large postgraduate research community, and the diversity of approaches and interests and our pluralistic and collaborative ethos makes it a welcoming and dynamic space for students. The atmosphere is one of intellectual vibrancy and creativity, grounded in excellent research. You can learn more about staff's interests here and about our postgraduate community here .
Students are free to take up research in any area of educational research that interests them. However, a member of staff with relevant expertise must be available to supervise the project. Students may find it helpful to reflect on a research question and locate a provisional area for research prior to contacting the Programme Director/PhD Programme Co-Ordinator. Inter-disciplinary PhDs are also welcomed and cross-departmental co-supervisory arrangements can be negotiated.
The purpose of PhD study is to develop a work of independent and original research. To support this, and ensure that students are part of a wider community of knowledge exchange, research, scholarship and dialogue, Maynooth University research degrees area. Structured PhD students must register for a minimum of 30 credits in pass/fail modules. 15 credits will be in subject-specific modules (2 of which are mandatory in the first year) and 15 credits will be in generic/transferable skills modules. These are selected in close consultation with the students supervisor. Students will write a thesis of approximately 90,000-100,000 words.
Course duration:3-4 years full-time, 5-6 years part-time
Course duration: 3-4 years Full-time, 5-6 years Part-time
More detail in Course Finder