PATRIA CHEQFChurch Higher Education
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International Standard of Church Higher Education Draft 0.9 20 September 2026 For consultation

Part IV · No. 18

The degree certifies academic competence. Any office, mandate or ordination is a separate act.

Education·Level 8 · Third Cycle·Church Degree · suffix C

EdD.C.

Doctor of Education — Church Degree

Preparation of leaders capable of designing and implementing evidence-informed change in educational systems.

CHEQF Level8
Qualification typeThird cycle, professional-research
Admission requirementsA Level 7 degree and substantial educational experience.
Normative volumeResearch doctorates: at least three years of full-time equivalent study after Level 7; professional doctorates typically 3–5 years. The precise structure is established in the Degree Programme Specification.

Content · Outcomes

Content is what is taught. Outcomes are what is verified.

What the programme must contain

  1. advanced education theory
  2. organizational leadership
  3. programme evaluation
  4. quantitative/qualitative research
  5. ethics and safeguarding
  6. doctoral practice inquiry

What the graduate must demonstrate

  1. demonstrates expert knowledge of the field and its research methodology
  2. designs and carries out independent original research or a doctoral professional project
  3. creates new knowledge, a method, model, or demonstrable professional innovation
  4. publicly defends the results before qualified experts
  5. is capable of publishing, teaching, providing expert leadership, and upholding standards of academic integrity.
  6. designs and evaluates systemic educational change

Final · Progression

Final capstone work and dissertations may not be transferred from elsewhere.

How the programme closes

A doctoral dissertation or practice-based doctoral project with a rigorous research component and oral defence. Typical duration: 3–5 years.

Where it leads

Advanced educational leadership and research activity.

Status

Black is what the degree certifies. This is what it does not.

EdD.C. does not automatically constitute a state professional licence.

“This is an ecclesiastical academic qualification awarded within the Church system of higher education. It is not represented as a state-awarded or state-accredited academic degree unless such recognition has been separately granted by the competent authority of the relevant jurisdiction.”

Recommended status statement on every diploma, Article 17

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