Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Doctoral Studies in Medical and Health Sciences Education

The Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education has the capacity to offer guidance and supervision to those who wish to undertake a doctoral programme in the field of medical and health sciences education.
You can find information on regulations and enrolment for the Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Medicine on the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences doctoral programmes page.

There are three pathways available:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A programme of independent study focusing on indepth and original research for the production of a thesis which specifically advances the scholarship and practice in the field of medical and health sciences education.

Published materials can also be used to complete a PhD thesis.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

In collaboration with the Faculty of Education, this is a structured, cohort-based programme focussed on peer support and networking in order to produce a thesis of work based on indepth and original research in the field of medical and health sciences education.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

A professional doctorate that provides the opportunity for experienced medical clinicians to undertake advanced study and research which can be directly applied toward clinical and practice issues. The MD is a supervised degree and is examined at the same level as a PhD.

The CMHSE can offer academic advice in selecting an appropriate topic and guidance on research methodology as well as actively contributing to the supervision of students. While we are happy to consider proposals in any area of health professionals education, existing areas of research within our Centre include the following:

A/Prof Jennifer Weller	Dr Boaz Shulruf	Dr Marcus Henning
Multidisciplinary simulation training Clinical supervision Workplace Assessment Simulated learning environments Team performance Patient safety Interprofessional collaboration	Cultural attributes and teaching and learning Optimizing University Admissions Models Quantitative research methodologies Survey design & analysis Cross-cultural psychology Assessment & measurement Studies in higher education	Motivation Self-regulation Adult learning Neuropsychology Learning disabilities Quality of life Professional integrity

Dr Rain Lamdin	Dr Craig Webster
Student learning Learning in the clinical environment Professional socialisation Qualitative research methodologies Interprofessional education	Multidisciplinary simulation training Patient safety Safe system design Medical error and violation Learning in complex environments Sociotechnological systems Cognitive psychology

Through our research network, additional supervision is available from other academics across the University.

Admission requirements

To enrol into the MD programme you must have completed an MBChB at The University of Auckland or a degree that The University of Auckland considers to be equivalent. The candidate should have demonstrated an ability to pursue doctoral level research in the field of medicine or medical science and, following the completion of their medical qualification, had at least five years experience in medical practice or in an area considered comparable by The University of Auckland.

To be eligible for a PhD, you are required to have completed a Master’s degree with First Class or Second Class (Division I) Honours at The University of Auckland or a degree that The University of Auckland considers to be equivalent and demonstrate an ability to pursue doctoral level research.

For those who wish to enter the EdD programme, you are required to have completed a Master of Education or Master of Arts in Education with First Class or Second Class (First Division) Honours at The University of Auckland (or equivalent from another New Zealand university or from an overseas university) and demonstrate an ability to pursue doctoral level research in the field of Education. You also need to have at least five years relevant work experience in the field of education or similar to be eligible for this programme.