Doctor of Philosophy (Education)

Overview

The multifaceted challenges facing 21st-century education require researchers who can collect and analyse information from a number of academic disciplines — history, psychology, engineering, education, science, and more — and translate these findings into transformative ideas for education policy reform and practice.

The PhD in Education at OUM is an interdisciplinary doctoral program designed to meet the needs of educators in various positions. The requirements for the PhD programme include completing coursework for two modules; Educational Research Methodology and Doctoral Seminar. Both these modules focus on developing knowledge and expertise in conducting high quality research using quantitative and qualitative methods. Candidates are also required to prepare a research proposal for the Proposal Defence, where both oral and written work will be assessed.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will enjoy unrestricted access to OUM Digital Library where we have a collection of close to 100,000 e-books and an extensive collection of academic journals.

Our core mission in the PhD programme is to produce scholars who can and will use research to contribute to understanding and improving education. The programme prepares you to become a researcher in the area you are passionate about, guided by the goal of having a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice. Graduates of the programme will be given opportunities to discover exemplary educational practices through research that may contribute to future advancement in education.

Assessment will be based on performance in the two modules and successful completion of the dissertation proposal and final thesis.

This programme comprised three parts:

  • Part I – Compulsory Core Courses
  • Part II – Research
  • Part III – Thesis Examination

 

Part I: Core Courses
Subject NameCredit Hours
Educational Research Methodology3
Doctoral Seminar: Research Area in Education3
Part II

After completing the required courses (PART I) learners will begin the research and thesis work (PART II) under the guidance of a supervisor. Each learner will meet the assigned supervisor at least 4 times in a semester and achieve satisfactory progress in the research / thesis work before being allowed to register in the subsequent semester. Areas of specialisations in research / thesis:

  • Educational Administration
  • Curriculum and Instructional Design
  • Research and Evaluation
  • Educational Technology
  • Educational Sociology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Educational Philosophy
Part III
When the learner has completed the thesis and is ready for examination, an examining committee consisting of one internal examiner and two external examiners will be appointed to assess the thesis (PART III). The learner will be examined in the Viva Voce session.

Malaysian Learner Fees

Year 1RM8,190 (Sem 1)RM1,980 (Sem 2)RM1,980 (Sem 3)
Year 2RM1,980 (Sem 4)RM1,980 (Sem 5)RM1,980 (Sem 6)
Year 3RM1,980 (Sem 7)RM1,980 (Sem 8)RM1,980 (Sem 9)
Year 4RM1,980 (Sem 10)RM1,980 (Sem 11)RM1,980 (Sem 12)
TOTALRM29,970

Discount for the Physically Challenged Learners (OKU) and Senior Citizens

* Fees applicable to Malaysians and Permanent Residents only.
* The University reserves the right to revise the fees without prior notice.

The University offers 50% discount for:
1. Senior citizens aged 60 and above on registration date; and
2. Physically challenged learners – a valid Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) is required.
The discounts are not valid for second time registration and repeating of subjects.
Learners who receive this discount are not entitled to other discounts and promotions.

Note
Processing fee: RM50
Re-registration fee of RM220 per semester is chargeable for extension of the Research Thesis/Dissertation 

Financial options:Payment Mode:
EPF (Account 2); orJomPAY
Education or Personal Loan from commercial banks; orInternet Banking
HRDF (subject to employer’s eligibility); orDebit/Credit Card.

International Learner Fees

Year 1RM9,828(Sem 1)RM1,980 (Sem 2)RM1,980 (Sem 3)
Year 2RM1,980 (Sem 4)RM1,980 (Sem 5)RM1,980 (Sem 6)
Year 3RM1,980 (Sem 7)RM1,980 (Sem 8)RM1,980 (Sem 9)
Year 4RM1,980 (Sem 10)RM1,980 (Sem 11)RM1,980 (Sem 12)
TOTALRM31,608

Notes:
1 – Fees applicable to International applicants
2 – The fee above excludes registration fee, processing fee and resource fee. Fee imposed first semester only-non refundable . (Diploma RM2,700; Bachelor RM3,200, Master RM3,700, PhD/Doctorate RM4,200).
3 – Financial method: Telegraphic Transfer , PayPal (Invoice will be prepared in MYR and will be added 6% to cover PayPal transaction fees.)
4 – The fees are for subject fees only and are not applicable for research, registration, repeating of subjects and other fees.
5 – 60% payment of the semester fees must be made before the semester starts, 40% payment before the examination week.


* The University reserves the right to revise the fees without prior notice.
**LATEST UPDATE: 30 August 2022

This programme aims to produce graduates that are:

 

PEO 1: To produce education practitioners who have state of the art knowledge with analytical and practical skills as well as capable of using advanced numerical techniques and digital technologies constructing creative concepts/practices through research.

PEO 2: To produce education practitioners who lead with autonomy, communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders in the educational settings.

PEO 3: To produce Education Practitioners who advocate professional and ethical practices in all education settings and defend the integrity of the profession at all times.

PEO 4: To produce Education Practitioners with positive attitude, entrepreneurial mind set and sustainable practices in progressing their career and the profession.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

 

PLOMQF LO
PLO 1:Critically synthesise and evaluate current knowledge and those emerging from research that are related to teaching and learning in meeting the challenges of a
dynamic curriculum.
1. Knowledge and
Understanding
PLO 2:Design and develop studies or research creatively to address educational issues demonstrating mastery of knowledge, incorporating state of the art analytical, numerical and digital techniques.2. Cognitive Skills
6. Digital Skills
7. Numeracy Skills
PLO 3:Organise and design outcomes-based research employing advanced techniques and practical skills to enhance the body of knowledge and practices in teaching and learning. 

 

3. Practical Skills

PLO 4:Adopt suitable leadership styles and balance autonomy with responsibility in emerging and dynamic educational settings.8. Leadership,
Autonomy and
Responsibility
PLO 5:Adapt to situations when delivering tasks either individually or through multidisciplinary teams with good communication and interpersonal skills in educational, organisational and research settings.4. Interpersonal Skills
5. Communication
Skills
PLO 6:Uphold and defend professionalism and ethics to fulfil professional teaching and research standards in ensuring the integrity of the profession at all times.11. Ethics and
Professionalism
PLO 7:Advocate positive attitude and commitment to life-long learning with entrepreneurial mind-set in response to the changing world of education and for
professional advancement.
9. Personal Skills
10. Entrepreneurial
Skills
  1. What is OUM PhD?
    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree Programme is a doctoral level qualification with a purpose of enabling students to gain expertise in conducting research in a particular field related to education.
  2. What is the core mission of PhD programme?
    Our core mission in the PhD programme is to produce scholars who can and will use their knowledge on research to contribute to the understanding and improving of education.
  3. How is the programme delivered?
    The programme prepares students to become a researcher in the area they are passionate about, guided by the goal of having a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice
    • A comprehensive research methodology course covering all aspects of educational research settings and data analysis procedures.
    • Scheduled classes/seminars for the Educational Research Methodology and Doctoral Seminars in the 1st semester.
      Assignments are graded and students need to pass a minimum of Grade B before proceeding to the next stage.
  4. What are the areas of research / specialization?
    Educational Administration
    • Curriculum and Instructional Design
    • Research and Evaluation
    • Educational Technology
    • Educational Sociology
    • Educational Psychology
    • Educational Philosophy
    • Special Education
    • Any other area approved by faculty
  5. What is the required minimum qualification?
    • Master’s degree in Education; OR
    • Master’s degree other than Education and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education; OR
    • Master’s degree other than Education and hold Diploma/Certificate in Teaching; OR
    • Master’s degree other than Education with at least two (2) years of teaching experience; OR
    • Other qualifications recognized as equivalent by the Malaysian Government.
  6. What is the mode of study for the programme offered?
    Research: Research is the principal requirement for attaining a higher degree. Students are required to attend some pre-requisite courses as prescribed by the University.
  7. How many intakes a year are there in your University and when can I start applying?
    There are three semesters a year. Semester 1 of the academic year commences in early January while Semester 2 commences in early May and Semester 3 commences in early September.
  8. How many courses I have to take during the coursework phase?
    In order to graduate, students must PASS TWO core courses during the coursework phase, the minimum CGPA for procedeeing to the research phase is 3.0.
    • Educational Research Methodology
    • Doctoral Seminar: Research Area in EducationBoth these modules focus on developing knowledge and expertise in conducting high quality research using quantitative and qualitative methods.
  9. How much time do I need to complete my studies?
    The length of time required for the completion of a programme depends on the progress of the individual candidate. In general, the minimum is 4 years and the maximum is 8 years.
    ProgrammeMinimumMaximum
    PhD (Education)12 semesters or 4 years*24 Semesters or 8 years

    * Students will be called to attend VIVA after fulfilling the candidature of at least 4 years

  10. How can i apply for the program?
    Applications must be done through online at https://cms-portal.oum.edu.my/
  11. Should I have any further enquiries, to whom should I refer to?
    • Academic Matters: Dr. Harvinder Kaur Dharam Singh (03-7801 2191) harvinder@oum.edu.my
    • Admin Matters (RPMU staff): Pn Azah Mohamed Aris (03-7801 1817) azaharis@oum.edu.my
    • Exam Matters: En Mohd Firdaus Mohd Ali (03-78011831) firdaus_mohdali@oum.edu.my
    • Finance Matters: Pn Haslinda Haron (03-78012076) haslindaharon@oum.edu.my

Here are some common types of career fields and examples of career opportunities for graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education:

Career Field Career Opportunities and Examples
Academic Research 1. Professor or Lecturer in Education at a university or college.
2. Research Scientist or Researcher in educational institutions.
3. Postdoctoral Research Fellow focusing on educational studies.
K-12 Education 1. School Principal or Administrator.
2. Curriculum Developer or Instructional Coordinator.
3. Educational Consultant for school districts.
Educational Policy 1. Education Policy Analyst for government agencies or think tanks.
2. Educational Program Evaluator for non-profit organizations.
3. Education Policy Advisor for advocacy groups.
Higher Education 1. Director of Academic Affairs or Student Services at a college.
2. Academic Dean or Provost at a university.
3. Higher Education Consultant specializing in accreditation.
Corporate Training 1. Training and Development Manager for a large corporation.
2. E-Learning Instructional Designer for online training platforms.
3. Educational Technology Consultant for businesses.
Nonprofit Sector 1. Education Program Manager for educational nonprofits.
2. Grant Writer or Fundraising Coordinator for educational charities.
3. Education Director for community-based organizations.
Educational Psychology 1. School Psychologist or Counselor in K-12 schools.
2. Educational Psychologist in clinical or private practice.
3. Research Psychologist studying learning and development.
Please note that the specific career opportunities can vary based on individual interests, expertise, and the focus of the Ph.D. program in Education. Graduates might also choose to combine elements from multiple career fields to create unique career paths.
Syed Hussein Syed Abdul Rahman
Syed Hussein Syed Abdul RahmanJohor Bahru

The struggle to balance study and work gave me better insight into productivity and efficiency. I was able to apply the lessons learned to my occupation. My study at OUM was my progress in development. The encouragement and guidance from OUM gave me the platform and confidence to succeed in my studies. Today, my degree has given me generous employment recognition, added edge in promotion, and salary advances.

Syed Hussein Syed Abdul Rahman
Syed Hussein Syed Abdul RahmanJohor Bahru

The struggle to balance study and work gave me better insight into productivity and efficiency. I was able to apply the lessons learned to my occupation. My study at OUM was my progress in development. The encouragement and guidance from OUM gave me the platform and confidence to succeed in my studies. Today, my degree has given me generous employment recognition, added edge in promotion, and salary advances.

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