Program Profile 

Program Summary

 Name of the Degree Program: Educational Psychology 

Name of the Degree to be awarded: 

                In English 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Educational Psychology (Learning & Instruction Stream) 

          በአማርኛ 

የፍልስፍና ዶክትሬት ዲግሪ በትምህርት ሳይኮሎጅ (በመማር ማስተማር ሳይንስ ስነ መስክ) 

         In English 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Educational Psychology (Human Development Stream) 

       በአማርኛ 

(የፍልስፍና ዶክትሬት ዲግሪ በትምህርት ሳይኮሎጅ (በሰው ዕድገት ጥናት ስነ መስክ) 

Degree to be awarded by: Bahir Dar University Standard Period of Study: 4 academic years with 8 semesters 

 Program Objectives

 With a due emphasis on breadth and depth to the academic and professional preparation by candidates in their earlier levels, the purpose of a PhD program in Educational Policy and Leadership is to provide the means for continued intellectual growth through advanced and specialized education. The ultimate aim of doctoral study is to develop policy makers, leaders, 8 planners and managers, researchers in their fields of specialization. Besides providing HEIs with a pool of highly trained and qualified personnel in the field, the program enhances the socio- economic contribution of candidates to the society at large. More explicitly, the program intends to: 

• Build the capacity of higher-level professional development in the fields to ultimately support the professional development of others in higher learning institutions Impart a thorough understanding of research methods and techniques in education policy and leadership 
• Demonstrate research to strengthen the ties between educational theory and practice in educational policy, leadership, planning and management 
• Provide an opportunity to develop candidates‟ ability to integrate into the community of scholars and professionals in fields Trigger students‟ intellectually and professionally endeavor and commitment towards solving problems entangled in the policy and leadership of education 
• Develop candidates‟ powers of independent thought 
• Direct candidates toward professional leadership roles as leaders, planners, managers, policy makers as well as in their personal and professional lives 
• Nurture a deep commitment to excellence in human resources management and managerial leadership as a means of service to others 
• Provide graduates with the experience to act as change agents, make ethically sound decisions and articulate the values and principles that guide decision-making 

           Graduate Profile 

Graduates of Educational Policy and Leadership are desired to have a well-balanced professional competencies and experiences. Upon a successful completion of the program, they are expected to demonstrate the following competences: 

• Understand the fundamentals of education policy and leadership issues and processes
•  Associate existing and emerging development paradigms of education to local contexts Implement different education programs and projects, undertake research activities, collect relevant data, analyze the data for arriving at sound conclusions and solve problems faced by the end of the day
• Adapt and execute different development policies, programs, and projects focusing on education effectively
•  Evaluate the performance of education programs and projects at all levels integrate with different socio-economic development modalities and strategies 
• Evaluate the different policy and strategy issues of education across the globe and adopt and integrate them to local needs 
• Design contextually viable education policies and strategies at different levels of government (local, regional and national) 
• Adhere to the ethical standards and principles of the profession, and practice accordingly Conduct research activity on education and policy related topics independently 
• Articulate the values and principles that guide decision-making make professionally and ethically sound decisions 
• Develop and analyze relevant and valuable educational policies, strategies, macro plans and projects that deliver valuable utility for the society Initiate educational innovations and manage educational and organizational changes Introduce and inculcate continuous organizational learning and improvement 
• Conduct tracer studies, needs assessments, and empirical research to strengthen the ties between educational theory and practice 
• Engage in professional development and support towards the learning and professional development of others 

Contact Person 

Alemayehu Belay (Ph.D), 

Head, Department of Psychology 

alemayehu.belay@bdu.edu.et

+251968596322