Specialised Area: Asian and Policy Studies
The specialised area of Asian and Policy Studies will introduce students the ways of critically analysing policy questions within a broad social, economic and political context, considering contemporary developments in both public and social policy developments in institutional, local, national and global contexts.
Upon completion of programme, students are able to:
- demonstrate an expert knowledge, understanding and competence in the Specialised Area and in the larger educational context;
- generate appropriate theoretical frameworks to address, analyse and propose innovative approaches to a broad range of educational issues;
- develop insights into research trends in the Specialised Area and demonstrate readiness to contribute to the professional literature in that field;
- effectively communicate concepts and theories within the Specialised Area to an audience of peers both locally and internationally;
- analyse educational policies, processes or practices from different perspectives critically; and
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of ethical practices within the Specialised Area.
Programme Structure
To complete the programme, students are required to complete a total of 72 credit points. The programme structure is provided below:
| Category | Credit Points (cps) | |
| Taught Core Courses | Conceptualizing Research | 3 |
| Research Methods I | 3 | |
| Research Methods II | 3 | |
| 2 Specialised Courses* |
Principles of Policy Studies | 3 |
| Higher Education in Asia: Policy Approaches and Management | 3 | |
| 2 Elective Courses* |
Organisational Analysis and Behaviour | 3 |
| Strategic Communication in Policy Governance and Policy Advocacy | 3 | |
| Research Seminars | 3 | |
| Development of Thesis Proposal | 6 | |
| Thesis | 42 | |
| Total | 72 | |
*2 specialised courses and 2 elective courses are developed for the specialised area – Asian and Policy Studies.
Specialised Courses
This course equips students with key theoretical and analytical abilities essential for understanding public policy and governance. It will look into major theories and techniques in political science, public administration, sociology, and economics and synthesize into a coherent set of knowledge for students who are new to the discipline. The course will also expose students to a variety of analytical skills and techniques so that students could apply these tools in analyzing case studies across the globe.
The course aims to provide concepts, insights and practical skills for leading and managing successfully in tertiary sector institutions. It offers expert perspectives on higher education, vocational education, training systems, policy settings, institutional strategies and tertiary sector work cultures in a national and international context. The course will focus on higher education topography in Asia. Drawing on case studies from higher education institutions from Asia, the course attempts to examine how higher education institutions meet with political, social and economic needs and how higher education institutions in Asia is connecting with the Global education topography.
Elective Courses
This course aims to ensure that students are familiar with the nature of organisations, their structures, processes and working environments, and particularly the specific characteristics of public and private organisations particularly in the global context. Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to understand some of the key concepts and theories in organization behavior and analyze the implications of organizational behavior for public and
private sector management and profit/non-profit organisations (apart from NGOs, non-profit organisations will include education).
The course introduces the concepts and principles that underpin strategic communication in organisations by focusing in three main areas – understanding human communication, understanding contemporary communication environments and new media, and critical analysis of the applicability and concept of strategic communication. The course intends to equip students with necessary communication skills to tackle communication issues while conducting policy advocacy and when implementing and formulating policies and how policies could be best communicated to different stakeholders. This course will also tackle specifically on strategically communicating with stakeholders and handle crisis in the higher education sector.
Admission Requirements
General Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a Master’s degree in the discipline of education or a cognate field to their chosen Specialised Area, plus four years’ professional experience. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview.
English Language Requirements
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a high standard of competence in spoken and written English. Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution in a non-English speaking system should normally fulfil one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements:
- Overall score of IELTS 6.5 with no subtest lower than 6.0; or
- A TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based test); or
- Other equivalent qualifications.*
* The College English Test (CET) is not accepted as an equivalent qualification.
APPLICATION & ENQUIRIES
Interested applicants please submit your application via EdUHK Online Application Systems. Prior to your submission, please visit the Graduate School website for detailed application and admission information.
Specialised Area Coordinator
Dr Hu Zhiyong Fox
Email: zyhu@eduhk.hk
Contact
Department of Asian and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong
Website: https://www.eduhk.hk/aps
Email: aps@eduhk.hk
For more details on Doctor of Education, please visit the Graduate School website.
Disclaimers
Course Level
Any aspect of the course (including, without limitation, the content of the Course and the manner in which the Course is taught) may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the University. Without limiting the right of the University to amend the course, it is envisaged that changes may be required due to factors such as staffing, enrolment levels, logistical arrangements and curriculum changes.
Programme Level
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in this website is correct. Changes to any aspects of the programmes may be made from time to time due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and the University reserves the right to make amendments to any information contained in this website without prior notice. The University accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from any use or misuse of or reliance on any information contained in this website.